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North Babylon Universal Pre-K Parent Information Meeting

Presented by

Kerry Larke, Principal

Jackie Kane, Elementary Coordinator of Curriculum & Instruction

Kenneth Graham, Superintendent of Schools

January 14, 2025

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Why is Pre-K Important?

  • Pre-K is an opportunity for growth
  • Pre-K prepares children for kindergarten & provides

structure with limited rules

  • Pre-K promotes social and emotional development
  • Children develop self- regulation skills through interactions

and “teachable” moments

  • Children get to make choices
  • Children learn to take care of themselves and others
  • Pre-K promotes and develops language, cognitive and motor skills
  • Pre-K environment nurtures a child’s creativity and curiosity
  • Pre-K activities boost pre-math and pre-literacy skills

Preschool provides a foundation for learning both socially and academically to help children succeed in elementary school.

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Universal Pre-Kindergarten Background

  • Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) refers to state government-funded preschool programs that are free for those who attend it. As long as the funding remains available and as long as the district has the human resources and space to coordinate the program, the district can offer the program.

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Program Basics

Location

Marion G. Vedder Elementary School

*There is NO district transportation for PreK

Days of the Week

5 Day Program

Length of Day

Full Day 8:45am - 2:45pm

Size of Class

18 students

Age Range

4 years old prior to December 1

Teacher

NYS Certified (Birth-Grade 2) or (Pre-K-Grade 6)

Support Staff

Before / After Care

Run by Almost Home (for a fee)

Paraprofessionals and Cafeteria Aides

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Building / District Built-In Bonuses

Access to:

School Psychologist

School Social Worker

School Nurse

Special Area Teachers (Art, Music, PE, Library)

Classroom Technology

Support Services available if needed

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Classrooms

STEM

Skills Centers

Technology

Circle Time

Cubbies

Creative Play Centers

Print-Rich Room

Classroom Library

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Supplies

Interlocking Small Tables

Easels for Painting, Paint & Brushes

Pre-K Sized Chairs

Crayons, Markers, Pencils

Multi-Color Carpet with Squares/Circles

Pre-A Level Classroom Library

Imaginative Play - Puppets/Figures/Kitchen

Shapes, Letters, Number - Magnets and Blocks

Manipulatives

Walking Rope for Transition

Blocks & Puzzles

Buttons, Snaps, Tie String Boards

Various Arts & Crafts Supplies

Chromebooks for In-Class Use

Counters & Storage

Supply Boxes

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Typical Daily Schedule (Full Day)

8:45 am

Arrival

Breakfast/Table Top Activities

Circle Time (SEL)

Reading / Math

Playground Time

Snack/Story Time

Special (Music, Art, PE, Library)

9:00 am

9:15 am

9:30 am

10:00 am

10:15 am

10:30 am

11:10 am

Lunch/Rest Time

Creative Playtime

Science/Social Studies

Skill Centers

Reading / Math

Circle Time (SEL)

Prepare for Dismissal

12:00pm

12:30pm

1:00 pm

1:30 pm

2:15 pm

2:30 pm

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NYS Pre-K Early

Learning Standards

Literacy Skills & Communication

Reading Foundations

Pre-Reading Skills

Writing

Speaking & Listening

Approaches to Learning & The Learning Environment

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Social Emotional Learning

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The Arts & Physical Education

Physical Development

Physical Fitness

Physical Health & Well Being

Physical Safety

Dance

Media Arts

Music

Visual Arts

Theater

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Goals for UPK

Social / Emotional

Sharing

Taking turns

Using words to express feelings

Proper eye contact

Appropriate Social Behavior

Gross Motor

Skipping

Jumping

Hopping

Throwing at a target

Balancing

Walking in a line

Academic

Letter / Name ID

Concepts of print (L --> R, T --> B)

Phonological Awareness/ Rhyming

Basic story structure (characters, setting)

Knowing what author / illustrator means

Retelling a story

Shapes

Colors

Number ID 1-20

Represent 0-5 in groups

Patterns

Body parts

Writing first name

Knowing address / phone number

Fine Motor

Using a scissor

Building with blocks / legos

Holding a pencil, crayon

Coloring in the lines

Tracing / copying letters / numbers / shapes

Washing hands / using the bathroom independently (opening buttons, etc.)

Opening school supplies (glue stick, supply box, snack and lunch things)

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Next Steps

  • Parents / guardians complete the UPK 2025-2026 Application (paper copy available at CO if needed):

English | Spanish | Haitian Creole

Applications must be completed no later than February 6, 2025 at 8am

  • Lottery (if needed) - Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 10am

Viewing the lottery is not required; however, the link to view will be sent to eligible families the night before the lottery. All participating families will receive email notification of their child’s status and next steps after the lottery takes place.

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Questions?

The UPK 2025-2026 FAQ & Lottery Application

can be found on the District website. They will go live at 7:30pm Tuesday January 14, 2025.

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UPK FAQ: English | Spanish |

Haitian Creole