• New Paltz CSD Announces Free, Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten Program 

     

    The New Paltz Central School District (NPCSD) is pleased to announce it is now offering a full-day Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) at no cost to NPCSD 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 NPCSD 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 New York State Education Department's Universal Pre-K grant, is a collaboration between the NPCSD 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. 

     

    The class assignment lottery will take place on July 27 at 10:30AM. 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, please visit www.healthykidsprograms.com 

     

    New Paltz Superintendent of Schools Steve Gratto explained that 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 of the decision to partner with Healthy Kids Programs and Tots in Toyland. “Pre-K students also benefit from forming friendships and negotiating conflict with their peers in early childhood. It teaches them valuable social and emotional skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.” 

     

    Visit https://www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us/Page/13548 for more information on the Pre-K program and to register.