There are several things Iowa City parents can do to help prepare their kids for that first day of kindergarten Aug. 23.

If you didn't or couldn't pre-register, public school registration is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at your child's elementary school.

You'll need to prove your child has the following shots:

• One DPT or DtaP vaccine (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus).

• One polio vaccine.

• One measles-rubella vaccine after 12 months of age.

• One Hepatitis B vaccine.

• One Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine if born on or after Sept. 15, 1997, and given after 12 months of age or had a reliable history of natural disease.

In order to enroll, you will need to show an official document proving your child's date of birth. They would have need to turned five on or before Sept. 15th.

Try to make it to your school's ice cream social the week before classes start. This is a good opportunity to meet people, and you'll find out what class they're in.

Another good opportunity to learn about your child's school is back-to-school night, which is within the first three weeks of school, sometimes called an open-house.

Once school starts, there are many steps your can take to smooth the transition, according to Pam Ehly, director of instruction for the Iowa City School District:

• If your child didn't attend pre-school, tell her a teacher will always be there to act as a "parent."

• Tell her she will be with more kids her own age in school.

• Tell your child she will receive a tour of the school.

• Explain that there will be options when it comes to lunch: bringing a bagged lunch or buying at school.

• Generally go over the material they will be learning, including new words, numbers and science.

• Make your child aware of the social aspect of kindergarten.

For more information, contact the district's central offices at 688-1000.