NEW PALTZ–The New Paltz Central School District announced Monday that it is now offering a full-day Pre-Kindergarten at no cost to school district residents who will be four years old by December 1, 2023.
The District currently has space in the Duzine Elementary School building for up to 72 students in four classrooms with 18 students per class. Three of the classes have been filled, and the district is looking to fill the fourth. Classes will be taught by district staff as well as by employees from community-based organizations.
All classes will have special area classes, such as physical education, music, art, and library. All Pre-K classrooms will follow the same curriculum. School meals will be included as will transportation.
The Pre-K program, which is partially funded by the State Education Department’s Universal Pre-K grant, is a collaboration between the school district and the Healthy Kids Programs of New Windsor—one of the largest childcare providers in the Northeast, and Tots in Toyland, a daycare and preschool provider based in New Paltz.
Class assignments will be by lottery that will take place on July 27 at 10:30 a.m. At that time, the district will assign students and staff to the first three rooms. If there are more than 54 students registered, but less than 72, a wait list will be created until 18 are registered. If you register after July 26, you will be placed on the waitlist until the fourth classroom is filled.
Before and after-school care is available for a fee for those students who need to be dropped off early or picked up later.
For more information and pricing on before or after-school care, visit www.healthykidsprograms.com
New Paltz Superintendent of Schools Steve Gratto said the district piloted a Pre-K program last year with 16 students chosen through a blind lottery. Noting the program’s success, benefits, and desirability, the district sought to expand its reach to every eligible resident without incurring a significant cost to taxpayers.
“We wanted to offer the opportunity for our youngest students to develop their literacy, language, and math skills prior to entering Kindergarten without prohibitive financial barriers to parents and families,” Gratto said.
