UPK
Universal Pre-Kindergarten
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Connecting with Your School: A Step-by-Step Guide to Language Settings
1. Introduction: Why Language Settings Matter
Effective communication creates a vital bridge between the classroom and your home. By updating your language settings, you ensure that every school communication—from daily classroom updates and direct messages to important mass alerts—is delivered in the language you are most comfortable with. This simple adjustment provides better clarity, fosters deeper engagement, and ensures your family stays fully informed.As a safety priority, please note that urgent alerts and attendance notices will always be delivered regardless of your notification preferences to ensure you never miss critical information regarding your student.Whether you are using a computer at home or a smartphone on the go, updating your preferences is a seamless process. Follow the instructions below to get started.
2. How to Change Language Settings on the Web (Browser)
If you are logging in via a desktop computer, laptop, or a browser on your mobile device, use these steps to tailor your experience:
- Click your name in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select Manage Account from the dropdown menu.
- Click on Language Settings in the left-hand sidebar.
- Select your preferred language from the available options.
- Click Save to apply your changes.Once you have saved your settings on the web, your interface and communications will update to your chosen language. If you prefer to stay connected through our mobile application, the steps are just as easy.
3. How to Change Language Settings on the Mobile App
For parents and guardians using the mobile app, the settings are conveniently located within your account preferences:
- Tap the menu icon (☰) in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select Account from the menu list.
- Tap on Preferences .
- Tap on Language .
- Choose your preferred language and tap to save.After saving your selection, we encourage you to take a moment to verify that your navigation menus and messages are now appearing in your preferred language.
4. Quick Reference: Web vs. Mobile Navigation
Use the table below for a quick comparison of the navigation paths for each platform.| If you are on the Web... | If you are on the App... || ------ | ------ || Path: Name > Manage Account > Language Settings | Path: Menu (☰) > Account > Preferences > Language |
Ensuring your account is correctly configured is the best way to stay engaged with your student's education. If you run into any difficulties during this process, help is just a click away.
The Universal Prekindergarten program will be funded by a New York State grant.
The UPK Program will be provided by local independent UPK providers as required by New York State requirements, Parents must provide transportation to and from the program.
To be eligible, your child must turn 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2027. Applicants will be selected by a lottery to attend this full day program. In order to participate in this lottery, ALL completed forms and required documentation must be submitted via email to Central Registration at wbregistration@wbschools.org or hand delivered to Central Administration Registration Office, 10 Farmingdale Road, West Babylon, NY 11704 or fax to (631) 376-7019 by 4:00 PM on Monday, February 1, 2027.
Starting December 1, 2026, applications for West Babylon School District’s 2027-28 Universal Prekindergarten program lottery can be found on our website West Babylon School District Website main page’s Announcements or Popular Links and under the Parents/Guardians tab.
The lottery will take place virtually on Monday, February 8, 2027 at 10:00 AM. The link for the lottery will be posted on our website. At this time, we do not have the exact number of spots available. We are waiting for finalized numbers from New York State.
Residents who are accepted into the program may need to complete additional documents.
Please contact Mr. Scott Payne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction with any questions at or spayne@wbschools.org or Central Registration at (631) 376-7022.
UPK Lottery Day Procedures
Welcome to the West Babylon UPK Lottery Program
Welcome, my name is Scott Payne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction here in West Babylon. Below is an overview of the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) registration and lottery process for the 2027–2028 school year.
How the UPK Lottery Works
If you have a child eligible for UPK for the 2027–28 school year, you must register them to participate in the West Babylon UPK lottery. The lottery system ensures every registered family has a fair and equal chance to receive free UPK schooling if enrollment is limited by state funding or facility capacity.
- Registration Window: December 1, 2026 – February 1, 2027
- Live Lottery Drawing: February 8, 2027 (held live online; streaming links will be available on our district website)
Lottery Numbers and Placement
- Random Drawing: During the live drawing, every child registered by the February 1, 2027 deadline will randomly be assigned a number.
- Placement Order: This number determines the order in which spots are offered if enrollment is restricted, and may also be used to determine location placement.
- Late Registrations: Anyone registering after the February 1, 2027 deadline will be assigned numbers sequentially based on the date and time they register.
Example Scenario
Assume there are 128 UPK spots available for the 2027–28 school year and 168 students register by February 1, 2027:
- On February 8, 2027, all 168 registered students are randomly assigned numbers from 1 through 168.
- Families holding numbers 1–128 will be offered immediate entry into the free UPK program.
- Families holding numbers 129–168 will be placed on a waitlist and offered spots in numerical order if openings arise.
- Any student registered after the lottery drawing will be assigned a number starting at 169 based on their submission date and will join the waitlist.
Special Provision for Twins and Triplets
Families with twins or triplets have two choices for the lottery drawing:
- Option A (Linked): Both/all children share ONE lottery number, meaning if that number is drawn, all siblings are accepted together.
- Option B (Separate): Each child receives an individual lottery number and is entered into the drawing independently.
Please Note: If parents do not select an option during registration, children will be assigned separate lottery numbers by default.
UPK FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQS
What is Universal Prekindergarten (UPK)?
UPK is a free preschool experience made possible through grants from the New York State Education Department (NYSED). As long as the funding remains available and as long as the district has the resources to coordinate the program, the district can offer the program. In New York State, UPK is a State and federally-funded prekindergarten program offered to families free of charge. The only eligibility requirement for UPK in New York State is a child’s residency and age. UPK is not an entitlement in New York State and not all families currently have access to UPK. In districts where UPK is available, entry is based on lottery systems, and not all families who register are guaranteed a spot. Families should check with their local school district to see if they offer UPK and when registrations begin.
Is the UPK program free?
Yes. The cost of tuition for those students selected through a lottery selection process is paid for by grants. There are no fees paid by the family or the district for the five-day-a-week, full-day program pending New York State funding.
What days are the children off from school?
The calendar is modeled after the District calendar in which the UPK is housed.
How long is the program?
The program operates Monday through Friday, (as per the district calendar). The full-day instructional program is 5 hours per day.
Is the program run by the West Babylon Union Free School?
The program is administered by the West Babylon Union Free School but is contracted out to local independent UPK providers as required by New York States Program requirements.
Who is eligible? How do I apply?
West Babylon Union Free School District children who turn (4) years of age on or before December 1st of a given year are eligible for the program. To apply, you just must complete the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Application packet. The packets will be posted on our website District Website or you may pick up at the Administration Building at a future date. Please check our website for upcoming information. For those who wish to be included in the lottery, applications must be received in our office no later than the application deadline (TBD). This allows proper processing for our lottery. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
Can all district 4-year-olds attend?
No. The amount of funding the New York State Education Department allocates for these grants will determine how many students can be served. We are also sometimes limited by classroom availability. Typically, every year there are more applicants than the number of available spots; therefore, a lottery is used to determine who will participate. All students who are not selected during the lottery will be placed on a waiting list. If any vacancies occur during the year, they will be filled until the waiting list has been exhausted. For students applying after the deadline their names will be added to the end of the waitlist on a first come first serve basis.
When will we know if the grant is going to be offered again?
Funding is contingent upon the Governor's proposed budget. It is unknown at this time if this funding will continue. We suggest you start looking at our website – District Website for information as to when the application packets may become available after the New Year. Usually, the state budget is adopted in April and we will be notified how many UPK spots we will have to offer.
How will I know if my child has been chosen?
The lottery usually takes place in April – However please check website for any updates to this date. We will be issuing list numbers based on the lottery. As soon as we know the number of spots available, we will use the list numbers to notify all accepted applicants via email and request to confirm receipt of the email. If your child is selected for one of the spots in the program, the email will identify where your child has been placed. If your child is not selected for one of the spots, the email will indicate your child has been placed on the waiting list.
How does the waiting list work?
If for any reason, a child drops out of the UPK program, the next applicant on the waiting list will be offered the vacant spot.
Is transportation available?
No. Families must provide transportation for their children. It is expected that students will be dropped and picked up at the appointed starting and ending times for their particular class. The grants pay for students to attend school for 5 hours each day of school session, so it is not acceptable or permissible to repeatedly drop your child off late for class or pick them up early before class ends. If you regularly do not get your child to school on time or regularly pick them up before class ends, your child’s continued enrollment in the UPK program may be jeopardized.
How the UPK Lottery Works
If you have a child eligible for UPK for the 2027–28 school year, you must register them to participate in the West Babylon UPK lottery. The lottery system ensures every registered family has a fair and equal chance to receive free UPK schooling if enrollment is limited by state funding or facility capacity.
- Registration Window: December 1, 2026 – February 1, 2027
- Live Lottery Drawing: February 8, 2027 (held live online; streaming links will be available on our district website)
Lottery Numbers and Placement
- Random Drawing: During the live drawing, every child registered by the February 1, 2027 deadline will randomly be assigned a number.
- Placement Order: This number determines the order in which spots are offered if enrollment is restricted, and may also be used to determine location placement.
- Late Registrations: Anyone registering after the February 1, 2027 deadline will be assigned numbers sequentially based on the date and time they register.
Example Scenario
Assume there are 128 UPK spots available for the 2027–28 school year and 168 students register by February 1, 2027:
- On February 8, 2027, all 168 registered students are randomly assigned numbers from 1 through 168.
- Families holding numbers 1–128 will be offered immediate entry into the free UPK program.
- Families holding numbers 129–168 will be placed on a waitlist and offered spots in numerical order if openings arise.
- Any student registered after the lottery drawing will be assigned a number starting at 169 based on their submission date and will join the waitlist.
Special Provision for Twins and Triplets
Families with twins or triplets have two choices for the lottery drawing:
- Option A (Linked): Both/all children share ONE lottery number, meaning if that number is drawn, all siblings are accepted together.
- Option B (Separate): Each child receives an individual lottery number and is entered into the drawing independently.
Please Note: If parents do not select an option during registration, children will be assigned separate lottery numbers by default.
Is lunch provided?
Students in the full-day UPK will have the choice to bring a bagged lunch or order lunch from our Lunch Department.