Queensbury Union Free School District > Universal Prekindergarten (UPK)

Universal Prekindergarten (UPK)

UNIVERSAL PREKINDERGARTEN (UPK) 

Queensbury Union Free School District is excited to announce that it will offer four sections of full-day Universal Prekindergarten for the 2023-24 school year. The new prekindergarten classes, supported in part by federal UPK funding, will be housed in the Queensbury Elementary School and staffed by certified teachers. Seventy-two seats will be available through a random lottery. 

LOTTERY IS CLOSED — If your child’s name was chosen, please click on this link to register for UPK Round-Up

 

Proposals from qualified agencies to administer 10 full-day Universal Prekindergarten seats

No online registration is accepted until after the lottery drawing on March 1, 2023.

    • To be eligible, children must be residents of Queensbury and turn 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2023.  
    • The lottery will close at 5 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2023.
    • The lottery drawing will be held on March 1, 2023. 
    • Parents will be notified via email by March 3, 2023 of acceptance to the program or placement on the waitlist and instructed on how to proceed with district registration to include:
      • Online registration
      • Proof of residency (tax bill, mortgage statement, deed, lease)
      • Proof of birth (Certificate, Baptismal or Passport)
      • Immunization record
      • Photo ID for parent
      • Custody papers or any other legal documents, if applicable*

UNIVERSAL PREKINDERGARTEN OVERVIEW

To access our complete UPK Handbook

MISSION

Empower all students to be lifelong learners, inspired to pursue their dreams  and to contribute to the global community.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for the 2023-2024 school year, children must be residents of Queensbury and turn 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2023.   

REGISTERING FOR THE PROGRAM

Parents must complete an application for the lottery on the district’s website at www.queensburyschool.org.  All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2023.

The lottery drawing will be held on March 1, 2023. Parents will be notified via email by March 3, 2023 of acceptance to the program or placement on the waitlist and instructed on how to proceed with district registration to include

  • Online registration
  • Proof of residency (tax bill, mortgage statement, deed, lease)
  • Proof of birth (Certificate, Baptismal or Passport)
  • Immunization record
  • Photo ID for parent
  • Custody papers or any other legal documents, if applicable*

SCREENING

Each child who will be attending prekindergarten must go through a screening process. This gives our school staff insight on your child’s strengths and areas he or she may need support in as he or she transitions to school.

Screening for children accepted for the 2023-2024 school year will be held on May 22, 2023 and May 23, 2023.  Parents will receive a letter with an appointment time to bring their child in for the screening.

PROGRAM 

UPK will follow the elementary school schedule with arrival between 8:45-9:00.  

TRANSPORTATION 

Transportation will be available if needed.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

Students who meet the financial eligibility guidelines are entitled to free breakfast and lunch each day.  Free/reduced meal applications are available at any time during the school year.  Please contact Lois Melleon at 518-824-5604 or lmelleon@queensburyschool.org for more information.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Good attendance promotes academic success. If your child is absent, please call the office at (518) 824-1631. A written excuse should be sent with your child when he/she returns to school. If a student is going to be absent for an extended period of time, we would like to receive notification in order to make plans for his/her educational accommodations (if possible) during the absence.

COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION

If your child has special needs and/or is receiving services based on the recommendation of the Committee on Preschool Special Education, he/she is eligible to attend UPK.  Please contact our Student Support Services office at 518-824-5694 for more information.

HEALTH REGULATION

Health Examination Requirements: New York State law requires a health examination for all students entering the school district for the first time and when entering Pre-K or K, 1st, 3rd , 5th, 7th , 9th and 11th grade. The examination must be completed by a New York State licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.  Please contact the Nurse’s office for further information at 518-824-1603

McKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT

The McKinney-Vento Act is designed to address the challenges that homeless children and youths have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.  Students who are protected under the McKinney-Vento Act are entitled to immediate enrollment in school even if they don’t have the documents normally needed, such as proof of residency, school records, immunization records, or birth certificate.  Students who are protected under the McKinney-Vento Act may also be entitled to free transportation and other services.  Please contact our District Registrar Lois Melleon at 518-824-5604 or lmelleon@queensburyschool.org for more information.

UPK Timeline: 

  • Jan. 20, 2023: Lottery opens 
  • Feb. 28, 2023 at 5 p.m.: Lottery closes 
  • March 1, 2023: Lottery drawing held
  • March 3, 2023: Parents will be notified via email
  • Spring 2023: Registration and UPK screening
  • Fall 2023: UPK program begins following QUFSD calendar