The deadline to apply to attend a Buffalo Public School is this Friday, December 7th. One Buffalo parent recently hit a snag, but as WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley tells us, the school district has made important changes.
"The office is only opened 8 to 4, which is really difficult for most caregivers to get downtown,” remarked Megan MacDavey of Buffalo.
MacDavey son will begin kindergarten next fall. She's applying to five different city schools. Initially the district said applications must be 'hand delivered' to the Central Registration Office on Ash Street between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. because of past issues. The district also extended office hours on Thursday until 6 p.m.
MacDavey recently spoke out at a city school board meeting. Last Friday the district notified her about a new email address now in place to send in applications.
Parents and guardians can now deliver their applications to BPSSchoolChoiceApplication@buffaloschools.org.
“This is, for many parents in Buffalo, their first entry point into the school district is submitting this application and this feels like a real ‘customer service moment’ when Buffalo Public Schools can shine by giving them a better option then just hand delivery,’ MacDavey said.
“These things were already in in the works when she had brought these things to the attention of our board,” stated Dr. Eric Rosser, associate superintendent for Student Support Services.
Rosser tells WBFO News the district is working to modernize the Central Registration.
“One of the things that we are doing at this point and time is also looking at developing an on-line application process. We’re getting away from the antiquated sort of processes that have existed,” explained Rosser.
MacDavey tells us it's exciting that the district is now offering an easier option. But she also requested a deadline extension. Rosser said that's not possible.
“Nothing will change with that at this point in time. The reason why that is because there’s a number of different things that need to take place,” Rosser explained.
The Office of Parent and Family Engagement is in the process of moving into the Central Registration. A parent welcoming center is being created that will feature modern amenities that will be called Central Registration Welcoming Center.
