Problems with starting school.

Problems with starting school. As we all know, school requires talking and communication, and I do try to reach out to the people sitting around me and try to make friends. The issue is I stutter pretty awfully when I'm either reading something, trying to say my name, or saying something to the class. If I make a point to tell people I can't talk right, its awkward. If I start stuttering, its awkward. Whats the best way to make people aware of the stuttering without making people think I'm brain damaged or something.