The Fayetteville-Manlius School District offers a full-day universal prekindergarten (UPK) program for four-year-old children who reside within the F-M district. UPK is a federally and state funded program that introduces young learners to the school environment and focuses on intellectually, socially and emotionally preparing children for kindergarten.
Because F-M’s three elementary school buildings are already at capacity, the district partners with existing early education community-based organizations to administer the district’s program. The program will follow the New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards.
There are still a few UPK seats open in the 2024-25 school year. Please complete a registration packet if interested in enrolling your child.
Eligibility for 2025-26 School Year
The program is open to all children who reside within the district’s boundaries and, for the 2025-26 school year, are four years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025. Students who are school-age (turn 5 before Dec. 1, 2025) are not eligible. Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opens on January 2, 2025. The 2025-26 registration form will be available in December.
The district offers up to 131 seats. If there are more eligible applicants than can be served in a given school year, the district will conduct a lottery-based system to determine who may enroll in the program.
The lottery will select attendees on a random basis. New York state UPK regulations prohibit a district from prioritizing eligible students for any reason, including economic background. The selection of one twin, triplet or household member has no effect on the selection of any other siblings during the lottery selection process.
If a lottery system is utilized, children not randomly selected will be placed on a waiting list. If any vacancies occur during the school year, they will be filled from the waiting list until it has been exhausted.
Enrollment in the UPK program is not mandatory. However, enrolled students must adhere to the school district’s attendance policy. The program operates five-days-a-week and follows F-M’s district calendar, with 180 days of school (September through June) each year.
Download UPK Registration Form here.
Registration Instructions
All UPK registrations are required to include the documents listed below.
- Registration forms
- Emergent Multilingual Learners Profile
- Proof of student’s age (birth certificate, passport, etc.)
- Student’s current immunization records
- Student’s health examination/physical form (on the New York State form)
- Proof of residency – one of the following items:
- Signed rental agreement/lease, including a pre-possession agreement
- Deed or mortgage statement
- Sworn statement by a third party establishing the parent’s/guardian’s physical presence in the district
- Valid NYS Driver’s License
- Voter registration/Income tax return
- Utility bill, credit card bill, insurance bill, etc.
- NOTE: Property tax bills are not accepted as proof of residency
- Proof of guardianship/custody (if applicable), including the most recent court order on custody matters
Registration by email
Email the completed forms and the required documents listed above to upkregistration@fmschools.org.
Registration by mail
Send the completed forms and the required documents listed above to:
F-M District Office, 8199 E. Seneca Turnpike, Manlius, NY 13104
Attention: UPK Registration.
Registration in person
Come to the F-M District Office: 8199 E. Seneca Turnpike, Manlius, NY 13104, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the summer months) to turn in your registration forms and supplemental documents.
Funding
The district will provide the UPK program at no cost to families. Funding for UPK is provided from federal funds. In addition, beginning in 2021-22, the New York state budget included funding for school districts to expand or establish pre-K programs.
It is anticipated that the state’s budget proposal for 2025-26 will also include funding for this program.
Partner Locations
The district partners with three community-based organizations to host the district’s program:
- Hal Welsh East Area Family YMCA
200 Towne Dr., Fayetteville - Manlius YMCA
140 W. Seneca St., Manlius - Shining Stars
4595 Enders Rd., Manlius
Times
Each day the program is in session, it will operate for a total of five hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wraparound care before and after UPK program hours may be available for a fee via direct registration with each partner site.
Two of the Shining Stars classrooms will operate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students whose parents can transport them to and from school each day the program is in session.
Curriculum
The UPK curriculum integrates three dynamic programs: Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum, Heggerty, and Second Step, creating a holistic approach to early childhood education.
Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum focuses on a child-centered learning approach, emphasizing exploration and discovery. It fosters social-emotional development, cognitive skills, and creativity through engaging, hands-on activities. This curriculum encourages teachers to create a rich learning environment where children can collaborate, problem-solve, and express themselves.
Heggerty enhances phonemic awareness through fun, interactive lessons. This program is designed to develop essential literacy skills in young learners by incorporating rhymes, songs, and games. The engaging activities help children recognize sounds and letters, laying a solid foundation for reading and language development.
Second Step prioritizes social-emotional learning, equipping children with essential skills for managing emotions, developing empathy, and building healthy relationships. The curriculum includes structured lessons that encourage positive behavior and conflict resolution, creating a supportive classroom environment.
Together, these programs provide a comprehensive curriculum that nurtures the whole child, promoting academic growth and social-emotional well-being. This integrated approach prepares our students in UPK for future success in school and beyond.
Transportation
The district will provide transportation, except for the two Shining Stars classroom mentioned above. Transportation must be from a student’s home or a New York state-licensed daycare operating within the district boundaries.
Meals
Each site will provide students with access to nutritious meals each school day. Students may purchase lunch at the site’s published paid meal rate each day, or students may bring a packed lunch from home.
Registration
Families that wish for their children to be part of the lottery for the 2025-26 school year must submit to the district a completed registration packet no later than March 31. When submitting the completed registration form, copies of the required documents listed on the form must also be submitted. Your registration cannot be completed without them. Incomplete registrations will result in a child being excluded from the lottery.
If a family has twins, triplets, etc., one form should be completed for each student. If more than one student from the same household is selected in the lottery, they will be placed at the same UPK host location.
Families of the selected students will be informed no later than April 30. Students not selected will remain on a waiting list unless their families inform the district that they are no longer interested in the program.