Universal PreKindergarten
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The Cazenovia Central School District offers a full-day universal prekindergarten (UPK) program for four-year-old children who reside within the Cazenovia district. UPK is a federally and state funded program introducing our youngest learners to the school environment by focusing on cognitive, social and emotional skills to prepare children for kindergarten.
The universal prekindergarten program is located at Burton Street elementary school. The program follows the NYS Pre-Kindergarten Learning standards and is taught by certified teachers.
Eligibility for 2024-25 School Year
The program is open to all children who reside within the Cazenovia Central School District's boundaries and, for the 2024-25 school year, are four years old on or before Dec. 1, 2024. Students who are school-age (turn 5 before Dec. 1, 2024) are not eligible. Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open by mid February 2024. The registration link will be located on this page.
The district offers up to 54 seats. If there are more eligible applicants than can be served in a given school year, the district will conduct a lottery-based system to determine who may enroll in the program.
The lottery will select attendees on a random basis. New York state UPK regulations prohibit a district from prioritizing eligible students for any reason, including economic background. The selection of one twin, triplet or household member has no effect on the selection of any other siblings during the lottery selection process.
If a lottery system is utilized, children not randomly selected will be placed on a waiting list. If any vacancies occur during the school year, they will be filled from the waiting list until it has been exhausted.
Enrollment in the UPK program is not mandatory. However, enrolled students must adhere to the school district's attendance policy. The program will operate five-days-a-week and will follow Cazenovia's district calendar, with 180 days of school (September through June) each year.
Funding
The district will provide the UPK program at no cost to families. Funding for UPK is provided by federal, state and local funds. Beginning in 2021-22, the New York state budget included funding for school districts to expand or establish pre-K programs. This funding has remained in the state budget to date and is anticipated to continue.
Time
The universal pre-k program follows the same schedule as the elementary school day (8:10 am - 2:28 pm). At this time, the district does not provide after-school care for UPK students.
Transportation
The district will provide transportation for UPK students. Transportation must be to/from a student's home or a New York state-licensed daycare operating within the district boundaries. Federally-certified child safety seats will be provided for children under four years of age.
Meals
Children have access to breakfast and lunch. Eligible families may apply for free and reduced prices. Please contact the business office for more information at 315-655-1340.
Registration
Families who would like to enter their child(ren) into the lottery for the 2024-25 school year must submit to the district a completed registration form by 3:00 p.m. on March 29. When submitting the completed registration form, copies of the required documents listed on the form must also be submitted. Your registration cannot be completed without them. Incomplete registrations will result in a child being excluded from the lottery.
If a family has twins, triplets, etc., one form should be completed for each student. If more than one student from the same household is selected in the lottery, it is not guaranteed they will be placed in the same UPK classroom. Also, please keep in mind that the selection of one twin, triplet or household member has no effect on the selection of any other siblings during the lottery selection process.
Families of the selected students will be informed no later than April 26. Students not selected will remain on a waiting list unless their family informs the district that they are no longer interested in the program.
Click here for Registration Link
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Families FAQ's Related to NYS Universal PreKindergarten Programs
