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Syosset details UPK expansion and federal grant allocations; 169 seats remain (enrollment figure presented)
Summary
District officials reviewed federal ESSA grants and the Universal Pre-K (UPK) program rollout, reporting the current UPK enrollment and describing curriculum and provider arrangements for the 2025–26 school year.
District staff told the Board of Education they have expanded UPK offerings and reviewed federal grant allocations, including Title I and other ESSA funds that support literacy, tutors, stipends and professional development. "Syosset's allocation is 400 seats; families have signed up 231 of them," said the official leading the UPK presentation, noting seats remain for families that wish to enroll.
Why it matters: The UPK program and federal grants affect early‑childhood instruction, staffing and school readiness. Officials said UPK expansion gives the district a better sense of incoming kindergarten learners and allows more targeted intervention in early grades.
What officials said about UPK and grants: Dr. Wojcicki, who the district identified as responsible for federal grant programs, summarized Title I allocations and program uses: stipends for STEM leads and tutors, academic remediation, and enrichment activities that the district will fund through ESSA grants. She said Title I funds include allocations for literacy supports and stipends for STEM liaisons; other Title allocations support English-language learners and professional development.
On UPK specifically, district staff said the program for 2025–26 will run roughly 9:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. across six contracted preschools (names given in presentation). The curriculum enhancements this year include Heggerty (a structured literacy approach to phonemic awareness), Foundations (consult-based follow-up work after Heggerty) and a stronger focus on language-rich, print‑rich learning centers and family engagement. Presenters highlighted a "common corner" in classrooms for reflection and quiet time and said teachers received professional development in those curricula.
Enrollment and logistics: Staff said Syosset is allocated 400 UPK seats and that 231 families have registered; families may rank preferred preschool providers in a lottery. Officials said most contracted preschools offer before- or after‑care options of varying lengths and that families should consult program virtual tours and the lottery web materials when selecting providers.
Board questions and next steps: Board members asked whether Title II allocations changed after the addition of nonpublic or specialized providers; the presenter said allocations vary year to year and depend on participating schools within district boundaries. Staff said they will continue outreach to families and share registration information and virtual tours on the district website.
Clarifications: The presentation included program descriptions and practices the UPK team said will be embedded in classrooms; presenters emphasized language acquisition strategies for multilingual learners and inclusive practices for students with disabilities.
