CONYERS — More than 16,000 students will start the new school year in Rockdale County Public Schools on Thursday.

After a two-month summer break, students, teachers and other school staff are getting ready for the beginning of the 2009-10 school year.

New teacher orientation occurred earlier this month, and teachers are participating in staff development and preplanning.

Until Friday, parents and guardians can register new students to the school system at the registration department’s temporary offices at the governmental annex building at 1400 Parker Road in Conyers to accommodate the heavy volume of parking and expected long lines. Guests should enter through Lobby B.

Parents need to bring the following documents to registration: a certified birth certificate showing the registering parent(s) name(s); a photo ID of the registering parent; the child’s Social Security Card; health form 3231, which is the Certificate of Immunization; health form 3300, which is the Certificate of Ear, Eye, and Dental Examination; and current proof of residency, which includes a signed lease agreement or property tax receipt with automobile registration or a current gas, electricity, or water bill. An affidavit statement of Legal Residence Form, which is available at the central registration office, also is acceptable.

If applicable, some parents also may need to provide a court-ordered proof of custody/guardianship if they are not the birth parent. More information about obtaining legal guardianship is available by contacting the Rockdale County Probate Court at 770-278-7700.

If the child is entering from another school district, they also need to provide a copy of their child’s academic transcript and discipline record for grades 7 through 12 or a statement from the previous school indicating that a disciplinary order was not imposed. A copy of the withdrawal form also is necessary.

The transferring documents are required by Georgia law O.C.G.A. 20-2-670.

The Student Registration office will resume at its normal location Aug. 2 at 1143 West Ave. Its help line is 770-761-1457.

Elementary schools will hold open houses from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday. Middle and High Schools will hold open houses from 4 to 7 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

This school year, students will get extended breaks over Thanksgiving, at the end of December, in mid-February and at the beginning of April, as well as smaller breaks spread throughout the school year. The 2010-11 school year ends May 26.

More information about registration, school supplies, open houses, calendars and other items are available at the student’s assigned school and also on the RCPS website, www.rockdale.k12.ga.us, which links to individual school websites.