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Chester district to add second UPK class; all 43 lottery applicants offered seats
Summary
A Chester Union Free School District staff member who hosted the UPK lottery announced the district will add a second universal pre-K class at Chester Elementary for 2026–27; 36 students will attend CES and seven will be placed with partner OnMyWayway in Middletown, so no registrant will be waitlisted.
A Chester Union Free School District staff member who hosted the UPK lottery announced the district will expand its universal prekindergarten program for the 2026–27 school year and that all 43 applicants will be offered seats.
“It is with great enthusiasm that I hosted the UPK lottery for the 2026 school year,” the presenter said, announcing the results and plans following a technical problem that left the start of the drawing unrecorded.
The expansion follows the district’s May 19 budget vote and will add a second UPK class at Chester Elementary School, creating what the presenter called a “prek suite.” Each class will enroll 18 students and be staffed by one teacher and one teacher aide. Mrs. Kangalloce, the current UPK teacher, will continue in one class; Miss Julia Byer, currently a fifth‑grade teacher, will join the UPK team with New York State early childhood certification, the presenter said.
Of the 43 completed registration packets, the first 36 numbers drawn will be offered seats at Chester Elementary. The remaining seven registrants will be offered placements with a collaborative provider, OnMyWayway Learning and Child Care Center, at 12 Riverside Drive in Middletown. The presenter said the district conducted an extensive review of the OnMyWayway proposal and selected it for its safety practices, educational programming and certified staff.
“We’re so excited to be offering 36 students a spot here at CES,” the presenter said. “For the first time in the five‑year history of Chester UPK program, we will be able to grant a spot to all of the students that registered. We will not have a wait list.”
The presenter said families will receive follow‑up information before the start of the school year and closed the lottery session.
Background: The presenter thanked the Chester Union Free School District Board of Education, Superintendent Katherine O'Hara and Assistant Superintendent Rachel Loftess for supporting continuation and expansion of the UPK program. Attendance at the drawing included two families and district staff members who witnessed the selection.
