What is Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)?
UPK is a state and federally-funded prekindergarten program offered to families free of charge. UPK provides interested families with a developmentally appropriate program that aligns with the New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards to help four-year-olds prepare for kindergarten. The school district is partnering with a community-based organization, TSL Adventures, to provide UPK programming in 2024-25 for up to 36 students.
Will UPK be available for all families in the Bethlehem Central School District?
Not currently. The district expects to serve up to 36 students in UPK in the 2024-25 school year. In most school districts, including Bethlehem, where UPK is available, entry is based on eligibility and a lottery system and not all families who register are guaranteed a spot.
Who is eligible for UPK?
The only eligibility requirement for UPK is a child’s residency and age. An “eligible child” is a child who is a resident of the school district and who is four years old on or before December 1st of the school year in which they are enrolled. For 2024-25, a student must have been born between Dec. 2, 2019 and Dec. 1, 2020 to be eligible for the UPK lottery.
If there are only 36 spots for UPK, how does the school district decide who gets in?
The 36 seats in the UPK program will be filled through a lottery process. Selection will be random. Only eligible students who are residents of the district will be included in the lottery. Completed applications for eligible residents must be received by 5 p.m. on May 24, 2024 for a child to be included in the lottery. Application information can be found here. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Not all families who register for UPK are guaranteed a spot
When will the 2024-25 lottery be held?
The UPK lottery in the Bethlehem Central School District will be held on Friday, May 31.
When and how will families be notified of the results of the lottery?
Families will be notified of the results of the lottery drawing by email and regular mail the week of June 3, 2024.
What if my child does not get a seat? Is there a waitlist?
The district will maintain a waitlist. As seats open up, families will be notified by email and regular mail
Will the Bethlehem UPK program be housed in one of the district schools?
No. The district does not have adequate space for a pre-kindergarten program. The 2024-25 UPK program will be offered through a community-based organization, TSL Adventures. TSL is a Capital Region childcare provider that is opening a location in Delmar in 2024.
Where is TSL Adventures located?
TSL Adventures will be opening a Delmar location at 339 Delaware Avenue. An opening date has not been announced.
What is the schedule for UPK at TSL Adventures?
The New York State Education Department requires that a UPK program for four-year-olds be five hours. The UPK program operated by TSL will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will follow the same calendar as the Bethlehem Central School District.
Will transportation be provided to and from UPK?
Transportation is not provided. Parents must transport their child to and from the UPK program.
Will there be wrap-around care for UPK students?
TSL offers wrap-around care for a fee. UPK is a five-hour program from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Does my child have to attend the program five days a week?
Yes. This is a full-day, five days per week program. Attendance will be monitored and enforced.
If my child receives preschool special education services are they eligible for UPK?
Yes. If your child receives special education services they are eligible for UPK. Students who attend a special education preschool program due to their individual needs should consult with their preschool provider when considering making a change. UPK does not provide a special class self-contained option, nor does it provide a special education teacher on site. Students who receive related services will need to coordinate services with their providers.
If I decide I do not want to register my child for UPK because they are not ready, can I enroll them in UPK the following year?
No. According to Section 3602-e of Education Law, a child is eligible for UPK when they are four years of age on or before December 1st of the school year in which they are enrolled or will otherwise be first eligible to enter public school kindergarten the following school year. Therefore, a child would only be eligible for UPK for one year.
If I don’t think my child is ready for kindergarten, can I hold them back in UPK
No. According to Section 3602-e of Education Law, a child is eligible for UPK when they are four years of age on or before December 1st of the school year in which they are enrolled or who will otherwise be first eligible to enter public school kindergarten commencing with the following school year. Therefore, a
child would only be eligible for UPK for one year. However, families can choose to send their child to a private prekindergarten program after attending UPK or deliver home instruction. Per Education Law §3205, the compulsory education age in New York State is 6 years of age by December 1st . If a child turns 6 on or after December 1st compulsory education begins the following September. Please note that NYS Education Law §1709(3) authorizes a school board to determine the placement of each student upon their entry (or reentry) to public school.