PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MAY REGISTER A STUDENT IN THE BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT. IF APPROPRIATE, PROOF OF CUSTODY MUST BE PRESENTED, PER N.J.A.C 6A:28-2.4 AND BOARD POLICY #5111, ELIGIBILITY OF RESIDENT/NONRESIDENT STUDENTS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PER CHAPTER 448 OF THE ORDINANCES OF BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP:
It shall be unlawful for any parent or guardian to assist, aid, abet, allow, permit, suffer or encourage a minor to register or enroll in the Bloomfield School System where the minor is ineligible to attend as a result of the minor's nonresident status. ...[Further] It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit his or her name, address or other residence-designating documentation to be utilized in the registration or enrollment of any nonresident student in the Township of Bloomfield School System unless previous approval has been granted by the Superintendent of the Bloomfield School System or his or her designee. Section 448-1, A-B, Unlawful Acts, Ordinances of the Township of Bloomfield, NJ.
The questions asked in the following pages will enable us to determine your child’s eligibility to attend school in this district in accordance with New Jersey law. Please be aware that N.J.S.A. 18A:38-1 and N.J.A.C. 6A:28-2 specify that a free public education will be provided to any student between the ages of 5 and 20 who is:
Domiciled in the district, i.e., living with a parent or guardian whose permanent home is located within the district. A home is permanent when the parent or guardian intends to return to it when absent and has no present intent of moving from it, notwithstanding the existence of homes or residences elsewhere.
Living with a person, other than the parent or guardian, who is domiciled in the district and is supporting the student without compensation, as if the student were his or her own child, because the parent cannot support the child due to family or economic hardship. (Hardship must be proven)
Living with a person domiciled in the district, other than the parent or guardian, where the parent/guardian is a member of the New Jersey National Guard or the reserve component of the U.S. armed forces and has been ordered into active military service in the U.S. armed forces in time of war or national emergency. (Proof must be provided)
Living with a parent or guardian who is temporary residing in the district.
The child of a parent or guardian who moves to another district as the result of being homeless.
Placed in the home of a district resident by court order pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:38-2
The child of a parent or guardian who previously resided in the district but is a member of the New Jersey National Guard or the United States reserves and has been ordered to active service in time of war or national emergency pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:38-3(b)
Residing on federal property within the state pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:38-7.7 ET seq.
Note that the following do NOT affect a student’s eligibility to enroll in school:
Physical condition of housing or compliance with local housing ordinances or terms of lease.
Immigration/visa status, except for students holding or seeking a visa (F-1) issued specifically for the purpose of limited study on a tuition basis in a United States public secondary school.
Absence of a certified copy of birth certificate or other proof of a student’s identity, although these must be provided within 30 days of initial enrollment (for registration after 08/19/22); all other applicants MUST be completed at the time of registration pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-25.1.
Absence of student medical information, although actual attendance at school will be deferred as necessary in compliance with rules regarding immunization of students, N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.1 et seq.
Absence of student’s prior educational record, although the initial educational placement of the student may be subject to revision upon receipt of records of further assessment by the district.
The following forms of documentation may demonstrate a child’s eligibility for enrollment in the district. Particular documentation necessary to demonstrate eligibility under specific provisions of the law will be indicated in the appropriate section of the registration form.
Current property tax bill, contracts of sale, current notarized leases, mortgages, notarized landlord affidavits and other evidence of property ownership, tenancy or residency.
Voter registration, licenses, permits, financial account information, utility bills, delivery receipts, and other evidence of personal attachment to a particular location.
Court orders, state agency agreements and other evidence of court or agency placements or directives.
Receipts, bills, cancelled checks and other evidence of expenditures demonstrating personal attachments to a particular location, or, where applicable, to support of the student.
Medical reports, counselor or social worker assessments, employment documents, benefits statements, and other evidence of circumstances demonstrating, where applicable, family or economic hardship, or temporary residency.
Affidavits, certifications and sworn attestations pertaining to statutory criteria for school attendance, from the parent, legal guardian, person keeping an “affidavit student,” adult student, person(s) with whom a family is living, or others, as appropriate.
Documents pertaining to military status and assignment.
Any business record or document issued by a governmental entity.
Any other form of documentation relevant to demonstrating entitlement to attend school.
The totality of information and documentation you offer will be considered in evaluating an application, and, unless expressly required by law, the student will not be denied enrollment based on your inability to provide certain form(s) of documentation where other acceptable evidence is presented.
You will not be asked for any information or document protected from disclosure by law, or pertaining to criteria which are not legitimate bases for determining eligibility to attend school. You may voluntarily disclose any document or information you believe will help establish that the student meets the requirements of law for entitlement to attend school in the district, but we may not, directly or indirectly, require or request:
Income tax returns; Social Security numbers;
Documentation or information relating to citizenship or immigration/visa status, unless the student holds or is applying for an F-1 visa;
Documentation or information relating to compliance with local housing ordinances or conditions of tenancy.
Please be aware that any initial determination of the student’s eligibility to attend school in this district is subject to more thorough review and subsequent re-evalution, and that tuition may be assessed in the event that an initially admitted student is later found ineligible. If your child is found ineligible now or later, you will be provided the reasons for our decision and instructions on how to appeal. Also, any and all persons who give fraudulent information for the purpose of attending school will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as per a Bloomfield Municipal Ordinance.
RESIDENCY CHECKS ARE COMPLETED ON STUDENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND MAY BE CONDUCTED AS EARLY AS 6:00 AM. BLOOMFIELD RESIDENCY OFFICERS WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND CARRY PHOTO ID.