• Pre-registration: February through March
• Registration: April
• Child must turn 4 years old on or before December 1^st of the school year in which they are enrolled
• For more information, contact our Registrar
  • Michelle McCracken (716)933-6760

• Each classroom has 1 teacher and 1 teacher aide
• Absences, early dismissals, and late arrivals are logged in PickUp Patrol.  You will receive a welcome email before Meet the Teacher night.
• Changes in bussing are also logged in PickUp Patrol.  Your child may bus to any address as long as it is in the PCS district.
• How will I know how my child is doing?
  • Teachers are in contact frequently via ParentSquare (you will receive an invite to join that prior to Meet the Teacher night as well)
  • Formal conferences will be held in Nocember
  • Report cards will be sent home in January and June
  • The PCS UPK report card is based on the Brigance Benchmark Assessment that measures progress in achieving NYS UPK standards.
  • Pre-K Report Card Example

• You will be notified if your child received half day or full day placement at the end of July
• Pre-K screening and family interviews will be held in the beginning of August
• Ms. Forness will contact you for both

• Per NYS UPK regulations, there are a limited number of spots available for UPK class sizes. 
• Preference must be given to district residents over non-residents.  In the event there are more district resident registrations than spots available, the district will conduct a lottery for enrollment.  Not all families who register are guaranteed a spot. 
• In the event of a lottery, families with twins entering UPK are given one number and if selected both students are admitted. 
• In the event of a lottery, any family not selected is a placed on a wait list and will be notified if spots become available. 
• If PCS receives fewer UPK in-district registrations than spots available for UPK, families living out of district will be considered for enrollment.  A separate, out of district lottery will be used to determine out of district enrollment in PCS UPK.
• Any out of district student is expected to follow all out of district guidelines and remain a student in good standing (attendance, grades, behavior) throughout the school year. 

• Half day students will have one session in a traditional pre-k classroom.
• Half day session times:
  • AM Session: 7:50AM – 10:15AM
  • PM Session: 11:25AM – 2:15PM
• Full day students will have two half day sessions.  One session is in a play-based classroom and their other session is in a traditional pre-k classroom.  Full day students will also have breakfast, rest time, and lunch.

Q: What is UPK?

A: In New York State, UPK is a State and federally funded prekindergarten program offered to families free of charge. The only eligibility requirement for UPK in New York State is a child's residency and age. UPK is not an entitlement in New York State and not all families currently have access to UPK. In districts where UPK is available, entry is based on a lottery system and not all families who register are guaranteed a spot. Families should check with their local school district to see if they offer UPK and when registration begins.

Q: Is UPK participation mandatory?

A: No. UPK is a voluntary program for both districts and children. Parents and/or caregivers may choose, but are not required, to enroll their child(ren) in a UPK program. However, once enrolled, the school district’s attendance policy must be applied.

Q: 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?

A: 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 1 st 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.

Q: Will my child be required to be screened prior to starting UPK?

A: Yes. Commissioner’s Regulations §117.1 requires that all students in prekindergarten through grade 12 be screened upon entry to the school district to determine which students are possibly gifted or have or are suspected of having a disability and/or have limited English proficiency.