Students and parents gearing up for the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year have one important step to complete this month.

Natrona County School District's open enrollment process begins today and ends Jan. 31. Students who are enrolling in kindergarten, who are new to the district or who are changing schools in the 2009-2010 school year should use the online process.

District registrar Bev Jackson said no major changes are ahead for parents and students using the online system to enroll in school.

"It's basically the same as it was last year for enrolling," Jackson said.

Starting this morning, parents can log on to natronaschools.org and choose the top three schools they'd like their child to attend. The process is not first come, first serve, said Anne LaPlante, the district's director of organizational development.

Parents can go to any school or come to the district's Central Services Office for help using the online process, LaPlante said.

Information sessions to help parents through the online process are also scheduled at Central Services. The sessions run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 17, 20 and 29. Resources are also available for Spanish-speaking families.

LaPlante encouraged anyone needing help with enrollment to contact the district or a school.

"They're welcome to go to any school, they're welcome to the central office," LaPlante said. "Really, calling Central Services is as good as calling any school."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.

For more information

Natrona County School District will host several information and help sessions for parents using the online enrollment process. All sessions will take place at the district's Central Services Office, located at 970 N. Glenn Road.

Jan. 8 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 17 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jan. 20 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jan. 29 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Questions?

Call Bev Jackson, the district's registrar at (307) 253-5250