Q: What is Universal Prekindergarten (UPK)?
A: The Rush-Henrietta UPK program is designed to offer four-year-olds daily instruction that increases awareness and competence in five domains derived from the New York State Prekindergarten Foundation for the Common Core:
- Approaches to Learning
- Physical Development and Health
- Social and Emotional Development
- Communication, Language and Literacy
- Cognition and Knowledge of the World (Math, Science, Social Studies, Arts, Technology)
We accomplish this in a caring, active, play-based learning environment that is rich with adult-child interactions. Our daily instruction provides natural opportunities for children to learn readiness skills, exercise their curiosity and imaginations, and strengthen their ability to work well with others.
Q: How many children and teachers are in each classroom?
A: There can be up to 18 students per classroom with one teacher and one paraprofessional.
Q: Are UPK teachers certified?
A: Yes, all UPK teachers are certified.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: Your child must reside within the Rush-Henrietta Central School District and must be 4 years old on or before December 1, 2025, to be eligible for the 2025-2026 school year. A child who is eligible to attend kindergarten is not eligible for the UPK program.
Q: How many days per week is UPK?
A: UPK classes are in session five days per week, Monday through Friday. Attendance is required all five days. The UPK program follows the Rush-Henrietta Central School District calendar, unless otherwise noted at a Community-based UPK site.
Q: What are the hours of the program?
A: UPK offers a full-day program that is six hours a day and a half-day program that is two and a half hours a day. The start times of a UPK program are determined by each UPK site.
Q: Is there a cost for the program?
A: No. UPK is a New York State grant-funded education program. There is no cost for the program. Any additional child care hours/costs for students are the parent’s responsibility and arranged directly with the child care facility.
Q: Where is the UPK program located?
A: During the 2025-2026 school year, Rush-Henrietta will have UPK classrooms in several locations. In addition to classrooms within Rush-Henrietta, community-based locations are: Augustin Children’s Center, Care-A-Lot Child Care, Inc., Expressive Beginnings, Pride & Joy, Richard M. Guon Child Care Center at MCC, Rush Nursery School, and the Town of Henrietta Recreation Center.
Q: Does the Rush-Henrietta School District provide transportation?
A: No. Parents/caregivers are responsible for transportation to and from the program. Timely drop off and pick up are required, as supervision is not available before or after the program.
Q: How do I apply, so my child will be considered for UPK?
A: Registration information will be mailed out in January for the 2025-2026 school year. Applications will be accepted beginning January 13, 2025. Please contact the UPK office, located at the Good Shepherd building, 3288 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta NY 14467, either in person, via email (psammon@rhnet.org) or telephone (Patty Sammon, 585-359-7913) for more information.
Q: What happens if more applications are received than available openings?
A: Rush-Henrietta will hold a random lottery if there are more applicants than spots available. Applications received by midnight on February 7, 2025, will be eligible for the lottery. Once all the openings are filled, the remaining students will be placed on a waiting list. If a vacancy occurs, families will be contacted in the order their names appear on the waiting list.
Q: How does the lottery work?
A: Each student is assigned a number when their application is received. Numbers are randomized through an electronic lottery. Families will be notified via email if their child was selected or is on a waiting list. Twins and multiples will be placed together at the same location.
Q: When will I be notified if my child is picked?
A: Once your child has been selected for a UPK placement, you will receive an email containing the remainder of the registration paperwork and will be asked to schedule an intake meeting. Placement decisions will be made in April 2025. The remaining families will receive an email stating that they are on the waitlist.
