SOUTH COUNTY : Enroll Your Children Early, Parents Told

School officials are urging parents to enroll children early in school, because getting the necessary paper work and shots may take more time than they think.

All children who will be 5 years old on or before Dec. 2 are eligible to attend kindergarten, but they must have birth certificates, baptismal certificates or passports. All new students require immunizations for polio, measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

In the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, free immunizations are being provided by the Orange County Health Department the second Tuesday of every month in the multipurpose Room at Mission Viejo High School, 25025 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo.

Registration also is beginning at junior and senior high schools.

In the Capistrano Unified School District, Shorecliffs Junior High and Capistrano Valley High have scheduled special registration and orientation programs. Seventh- and eighth-graders who will be attending Shorecliffs Junior High area may register during the week of Aug. 20-24 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Registration is scheduled at Capistrano Valley High for Aug. 7, 8, 14 or 15 at 8 a.m. in the school mall. Information on graduation requirements, athletics, transportation and courses will be available.

Saddleback College also is starting registration. Continuing students may register beginning on Tuesday and new students may register starting on Aug. 15. Classes start Aug. 27.