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, 2023 to be eligible for the 2023-2024 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. 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 2023-2024 school year, Rush-Henrietta will have UPK classrooms at seven different locations. The locations are: Augustin Children’s Center, Care-A-Lot Child Care, Inc., Good Shepherd School, 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 at the end of January for the 2023-2024 school year. Registration will take place from February 1- February 28, 2023. Please contact the UPK office, located at the Good Shepherd School, 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 lottery if there are more applicants than spots available. Once all the openings are filled, 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: 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 with details regarding the location your child is registered for and the next steps in the process. The remaining families will receive an email stating that they are on the waitlist.
