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Syosset expands UPK curriculum and reports open seats as enrollment rises to 231
Summary
District officials described curriculum and classroom-design changes in the Universal Prekindergarten program and said 231 children are enrolled across six contracted sites, with capacity for more families under the district’s 400-seat allocation.
Dr. Wojcik, the district official overseeing federal grants and UPK administration, told the Syosset Board of Education that the district enrolled 231 children in Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) for the 2025–26 year across six contracted providers and has room for additional families under its state allocation of 400 seats.
Why it matters: UPK participation gives the district earlier insight into incoming kindergarten students and allows the district, administrators said, to better align kindergarten instruction and early interventions to close learning gaps before they widen.
Dr. Wojcik said the six UPK providers for 2025–26 are Blooming Buds, Green Trees, North Shore, St. Edward, Variety and Woodbury Jewish Center, and that the UPK day funded by the grant runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sites offer optional before- and after-care families may purchase.
The district reported curriculum enhancements this year, especially in early literacy: it introduced Heggerty, a research-based phonemic-awareness program, and followed with instruction in Foundations (phonics) so children apply sounds to print. Dr. Wojcik described classroom changes emphasizing small-group learning centers, language- and print-rich environments, and a “common corner” where children can self-regulate when they need quiet time.
“We kicked off professional development in November 2024, where all of our UPK sites came together to learn the program,” Dr. Wojcik said, and noted that consultants modeled lessons inside classrooms so teachers could practice with authentic materials.
The presentation noted supports for emergent multilingual learners and students with disabilities, including picture-supported materials and professional development for UPK staff on behavior support and inclusion. The district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) office was identified as a partner in screening and support.
Board members asked whether the district’s UPK enrollment filled its state allocation; Dr. Wojcik said seats remain and there is no waiting list. She added that 87 percent of district families who participated in the lottery received their first or second choice of site this year.
On bridging gaps to kindergarten, Dr. Wojcik said kindergarten teachers screen incoming students and provide differentiated small-group instruction and MTSS supports to address skills students missed before kindergarten.
What’s next: district staff said family-facing UPK materials and a provider “virtual tour” appear on the UPK web page, and families can rank site preferences in the lottery; administrators said they will continue to publicize seats and help families select sites that meet before/after-care needs.
