Pre-registration for children who will be attending universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) for the first time will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 2, 3 and 4, at Apalachin Elementary School and Owego Elementary School. Parents and guardians whose children are on the school census list have been sent individual letters informing them of the opportunity to enroll their children in Universal Pre-K at Owego Apalachin for the 2016-17 school year. Parents who are unable to register their children on the day designated should contact the school principal at the number listed below and arrange a time that is convenient to both parties.
The OA UPK program is a half-day program with sessions available 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 to 3:15 p.m. at both Apalachin and Owego elementary schools. The district provides transportation for UPK students in the morning and afternoon as long as the students are four years old.
Children who will be four years old on or before Dec. 1, 2016, are eligible to enter the OA UPK program for the 2016-17 school year. This means that a kindergarten child would be three years and nine months old on or before Sept. 1, 2016. All registered children will be screened in May or June in the areas of speech, language, vision, hearing, fine motor and gross motor skills. This screening is required by the New York State Department of Education and will help us identify any special needs children may have.
Parents or guardians should bring their child’s birth certificate or its equivalent. Parents are reminded that New York state laws require written proof that all students have immunization against polio, measles, diphtheria, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and hepatitis B or medical verification of any of the above illnesses. The need for accurate information concerning birth dates and ages cannot be stressed too much, as schools are frequently required to use and provide this type of information. You will also need to provide two forms of proof of residency, such as a current tax bill or rent receipt, most recent pay stub, current phone or electric bill, etc.
Registration prior to the beginning of school is very important, as it enables school authorities to estimate time needed for school readiness screening, classes and transportation needs. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for school visitation before the opening session in the fall. Parents and guardians of elementary children who do not receive an individual letter and do not know where to register their child or have any other questions regarding registration may contact Tom Comerford, director of pupil personnel services, at 687-6226.
