Paulding County is still in the midst of summer camps, vacations and outdoor activities in the summer heat, but the start of the next school year in about a month is looming.

New Paulding residents can enroll their children in public schools beginning today at the Central Registration Office at 522 Hardee St. in Dallas.Registration, now centralized rather than school-based, continues through July 31.

Registration hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and parents can call 770-505-3558 to schedule an appointment.

The Paulding County Health Department is having its third annual back-to-school immunization, hearing, vision and dental clinic on four days beginning July 20. Hours are 7:30-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. July 20, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10.

The Health Department, which is on U.S. 278 across from Chattahoochee Technical College, invites parents to call 770-443-7881 with any questions about vaccines and school requirements. Vaccinations help prevent the spread of many diseases in schools.

The Health Department is accepting Medicaid, Peachcare, Wellcare, PeachState, Amerigroup, cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and debit cards.

The school system plans ribbon-cuttings for its three new schools July 27:

• 9 a.m. at Sara M. Ragsdale Elementary School, 528 Holly Springs Road;

• 10 a.m. at Carl J. Scoggins Sr. Middle School, 1663 Mulberry Rock Road;

• 11 a.m. at Hal Hutchens Elementary School, 586 Clonts Road.

Projected enrollment for the first year at the three new schools is 636 at Hutchens, 649 at Ragsdale and 683 at Scoggins. Total projected enrollment in the school system is 28,859, reflecting growth of about 850 new students.

Students will begin the 2009-2010 school year Aug. 17.