Page Index
Sites
Q: If my child is selected to attend UPK, where will they attend the program?
A: The F-M school district has partnered with:
- Hal Welsh East Area Family YMCA 200 Towne Dr., Fayetteville
- Manlius YMCA 140 W. Seneca St., Manlius
- Shining Stars 4595 Enders Rd., Manlius
Shining Stars offers four classes, the East Area
YMCA offers two classes and the Manlius YMCA
offers two classes.
Registration
Q: Is my child eligible to attend UPK?
A: In order to be eligible for UPK, the child must reside in the Fayetteville-Manlius district and must turn 4 by December 1 and cannot be kindergarten eligible. For the 2025-2026 school year this means that birthdates must fall within the following range December 2, 2020 – December 1, 2021
Q: How does the district select students for UPK?
A: 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 attends the program. Applications are due to the district no later than 4 p.m. on March 31, 2025.
Incomplete registrations will result in a child being excluded from the lottery.
The lottery will select attendees on a random basis. New York state regulations prohibit a district from prioritizing eligible students for any reason, including economic background. Each child will be entered into the lottery as an individual student and will be selected at random.
Families will be informed no later than April 30 of whether their child was placed in a program or placed on the waiting list. Families will need to confirm their child’s enrollment by May 9, 2025. If a student’s enrollment is not confirmed, the district will offer the seat to another student.
Q. Will the district provide wrap around care for children who require childcare outside of the UPK hours?
A: The school district is not involved in childcare. Families who require care should reach out to the UPK site directly to inquire about availability after the placement has been confirmed.
Q: When can I register my child?
A: Registration for the 2025-2026 UPK classes opens January 2, 2025, and closes March 31, 2025.
Attendance
Q: Will attendance be taken?
A: Yes, attendance will be taken daily, and students are expected to attend five days per week. If a student fails to maintain regular attendance, the seat may be given to another child.
Schedules & Communication
Q: When do classes officially start?
A: September 2: First day of school
Q: How long is each program?
A: The UPK program will follow the same calendar as the school district (Sept.-June). If there is no school, or an early release at the K-4 level, the same will occur for the UPK classes. All classes will run for 5 hours each full day of school. Most run from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., and two classes, in which parents/guardians provide transportation, run from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Q: Will there be an orientation for students and parents/guardians?
A: Yes, each UPK site will schedule an orientation prior to the first day of school. The F-M school district transportation department will be on site with a school bus to review bus safety with students and offer a bus ride to ease any anxiety that students may have.
Q: Do the UPK sites follow the school district’s closure and delay schedules, such as when a snow day is called?
A: Yes, if the district closes, UPK will also be closed. And for a delayed start, the UPK sites will follow the same schedule as the schools. If it is a 2-hour delay, the classes that begin at 8:30 a.m. will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Q: How will I be informed of my child’s progress?
A: UPK staff will offer parent conferences throughout the school year and will also provide written progress reports to families. Progress reports will be sent home at the end of the first semester and at the end of the school year.
Q: If I have a concern/question once my child has started UPK, to whom do I reach out?
A: It’s always best to start with the classroom teacher. If he/she is unable to answer the question, please reach out directly to the site’s director. If the question/concern is related to the school district, please reach out to Melissa Corbin, Executive Director of Special Education and Early Childhood Initiatives.
Nutrition
Q: Will lunch be provided to my child? What if my child has allergies or other nutritional considerations?
A: Each site will provide students with access to nutritious meals each full 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. If a child forgets his/her lunch money and does not have a lunch, the site will provide the student with lunch and communicate with the family directly to obtain payment for the meal.
Transportation
Q: Will the school district provide transportation to/from the UPK site?
A: Yes, the school district will provide bus transportation for the programs that are being held from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Q: If my child requires a car seat, do I need to provide that to the district to be used on the bus?
A: No, the school district has car seats for any child whose age still requires one.
Q: How do families find out about bus stop times and location?
A: At the end of August, the transportation department posts bus stop times and locations on their webpage Info Finder. Families are also invited to call the Transportation Office at 315-692-1218.
Other
Q: What curriculum is being utilized?
A: 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.
Q: Are children required to be toilet trained to attend?
A: The Fayetteville-Manlius School District does not require students to be toilet trained to attend any of its programs.