UPK
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program Letter
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The East Islip School District receives annual funding for a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program and we are anticipating the same level of funding from New York State as in previous years which covered 178 students. We are excited to announce that we will continue to offer a tuition-free full day on-site program. The district will NOT be offering a half day option for the 25/26 school year. We anticipate our actual allotted number for the 2025/2026 school year to be provided to the District in early April, 2025.
The New York State guidelines for a Universal Pre-K program will only allow students who are district residents, who
turn four years old on or by December 1, 2025 and are eligible for Kindergarten in the 2026/2027 school year to participate at no cost to you based on a lottery. Therefore, this program is eligible to children as follows:
- Resident of East Islip School District
- Proof of Age (child must be four years old on or by December 1, 2025)
- Proof of Immunizations
All children eligible for the UPK program, whose parents/guardians are interested in their participation, will be entered into a lottery. The lottery will take place on Friday, February 28, 2025. The lottery drawing will again be conducted electronically by Cullen and Danowski, LLP, Auditors for the East Islip School District, at an off-site location. The names will be selected randomly.
Since on the date we hold the lottery, we will not yet know our exact allotted number for next year, on Monday, March 3, 2025, you will receive an email with your selected number. Once we receive our final allotment from the State, you will receive a second email as well as a follow-up letter. You will either receive a letter advising you that you have been officially selected for the program along with information about the mandatory registration process which will take place at a later date or a letter stating that your child has been placed on the waiting list.
If you are interested in having your child participate in the lottery, please scan the attached QR code UPK Lottery Entry Form or visit our website at www.eischools.org and follow the link for the UPK Lottery. You may also mail in or drop off the attached UPK Lottery form if you are not able to participate digitally. All entries must be received by Tuesday, February 11, 2025 by 12:00 p.m. in order to be considered for the lottery.
Those students selected will be placed in a UPK spot at either Timber Point Elementary School, Connetquot Elementary School, or South Shore Children’s Center based on the order in the lottery and geographical location of home address. If you do not accept the specific school assignment for which your child has been selected the seat will be forfeited. This procedure will be strictly followed subject to seat availability, including students on the waitlist.
Please do NOT complete an online registration unless you are notified that your child was selected in the lottery.
The East Islip School District feels confident that your child will have a rewarding and successful experience in the UPK Program. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Lisa Belz, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at 631-224-2015 or District Registrar, Mrs. Alexis Ricci at 631-224-2043.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Manzo
Superintendent of Schools