Write a commentThe Oswego City School District is gearing up to welcome next year's class of Pre-Kindergarten students.
Applications for the Oswego City School District Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program are now available.
The program is designed for children who were born between Dec. 2, 2008, and Dec. 1, 2009. and is offered at no cost to children who are selected by lottery, according to Cathleen Chamberlain, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
The UPK teachers and staff strive to create a warm and nurturing environment for all our four-year-olds. The goals of the program are to meet the individual needs of four-year-old children in the areas of
social, academic, language, emotional and physical development. This prepares them to successfully enter kindergarten the following year.
The UPK teachers and District work closely together to deliver the best first educational experiences for your children.
Sessions will be available at the five elementary schools which include Charles E. Riley, Fitzhugh Park, Frederick Leighton, Kingsford Park and Minetto. The program runs in conjunction with the regular
school district calendar.
"There will be a maximum of 18 students in each class and the classes will be taught by a certified teacher and teaching assistant," Chamberlain said.
Morning and afternoon sessions are available. The program runs from 9-11:30 a.m. for the morning session and 12:45-3:15 p.m. for the afternoon session. Partial transportation will be offered for all
four-year-olds. Students attending the morning session will be provided transportation to school and parents would be responsible for transportation home at 11:30 a.m. In the afternoon session, parents are expected to transport their child to school at 12:45 p.m. and the school will transport the child home at 3:35 p.m.
An open house will be held March 13 at all elementary schools from 6-7 p.m. Children are welcome to accompany parents but are not required to attend. This is an opportunity for you to see the classroom and learn more about the UPK program.
Anyone who would like their child considered for the program can complete an application that is available at all elementary schools, or the office of curriculum and Instruction on the first floor of the
Education Center. If you have questions, you can call 341-2013. An application form is also available online athttp://www.oswego.org/instruction and scrolling to the "Universal Pre-K" application.
Applications must be submitted by March 30. Registration packets and information about UPK screening will be mailed out in March.
