School registration became easier for parents and administration in the Port Arthur Independent School District.

The school system has turned to 21^st century technology to register all students with the One Stop registration event, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today (July 24) day at the Memorial 9^th Grade Academy.

“When parents go to One Stop this year, the first thing they are going to do is go into the computer lab and complete the online student registration process,” said Kristyn Cathey, media/communications specialist for PAISD. “Like every other school district, you have to register for school every single year — incoming and returning students. However, if I’m a current student it’s only going to take a couple seconds to go into the system and see if that information is correct.”

Besides trying to make information easier to access, the One Stop registration will eliminate the amount of returned mail, reduce the schools’ carbon footprint and assist in updating crucial information, Cathey said.

“If there is some type of emergency and I’m trying to call a parent, but there’s either no phone number or the number is wrong, then what am I to do?” she said. “That happens a lot. With this online program, it’s going to allow for the responsibility to fall on whoever fills out that information. People also don’t always want you to have access to their important documents so we scan it for them and it’s in the system for the entire time.”

After registering, there is a 10- to 15-minute lag time between when the information is put in the system and when it gets to the various schools’ computer systems. Cathey said families might use that time to check out the selection of vendors that will be set up.

Vendors include the Parent Teacher Association, YMCA Girl Scouts, La Costa Dental and Port Arthur Teacher’s Federal Credit Union. The Port Arthur Public Library will also be giving out library cards and staffing the book fair. The Port Arthur Health Department will give free vaccines.

“These are all people who have been big supporters of the school and community business partners,” Cathey said. “We have around 30-40 vendors that will be there — and everything is completely free.”

Every principal from all 16 campuses will attend to answer any questions or concerns, along with Superintendent Mark Porterie and PAISD’s Human Resources staff. Parents can also register students for the child nutrition free-and-reduced meal program.

The goal of the event is to get the parents and community acclimated to technology and to be more eco-friendly.

“Our goal is for this to be the last year of doing a big actual event of One Stop,” Cathey said. “Once it’s online, parents can use it at anytime. That’s what we’re hoping we will be successful in today.”

Documents needed for registration include a birth certificate, Social Security card and immunization records, proof of residence and last issued report card. Parents who are unable to attend will be able to register children online with instructions Thursday at paisd.org.

Information: Contact Cathey at 409-989-6160 or khunt@paisd.org.