Menands School is now operating their own Pre-K program! This opportunity is open to Menands residents. 18 children are selected for the program through a random lottery held in the spring of the previous school year. Families must register their students before the lottery to be eligible for this program.
Registration and Lottery Information for the 2026-27 school year
Registration opens February 1, 2026, for the 2026-27 school year. To qualify for this Pre-K opportunity, students must be 4 years old on or before December 1, 2026, and be residents on the Menands UFSD.
Our Pre-K program has a maximum capacity of 18 students. If more than 18 students register for Pre-K Children are chosen for the program through a random lottery. This year’s lottery takes place on May 20, 2026.
After the lottery drawing a waitlist will be kept in the event of a withdrawal of registration. Waitlist families will be chosen, if a vacancy opens, on a first-come, first-served basis. To be considered for the waitlist for the 2026-27 school year, families must submit a completed application.
Registration Checklist
Registration opens February 1, 2026, for the 2026-27 school year.
The following documents are required for registration:
- Registration packet completed online in School Tool. Find links here once registration is open.
- Proof of Age: Student’s Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, or Passport
- Immunization Records
- Physical exam (within one year)
- Residency Information
- Proof of Residency: mortgage statement/deed/lease agreement
- Two Additional Proofs of Recidency: Must have name and address on them. (ex: National grid bill, Spectrul Bill, Tax Statement, Credic Card Statement, etc…)
*An Affidavit of Residency must be filled out and notarized ONLY IF the parent/guardian resides in a dwelling that they do not lease or own. Reach out to the registrar for the affidavit form.
- Photo ID of parent/guardian registering student (driver’s license or passport)
- Home Language Questionnaire
- IEP (if applicable)
- Custody Paperwork (if applicable)
Registration information can be found on the Student Registration section of our website.
Information night
Pre-K information night will be on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This information night is virtual and begins at 6 pm. If you are inerested in attending please email the registrar Trish O’Connell at toconnell@menands.org
The link to the virtual information night will also be posted on our website prior to the event.
About the Program
Menands Pre-K started November 1, 2021. Menands School opened their doors and arms wide for their new littlest learners.
There is a maximum of 18 children in our Pre-K classroom with one teacher and one teacher’s assistant. Our school has children in Pre-k through eighth grade.
Our Pre-K school day starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. Caregivers are responsible for providing transportation to and from school.
Currently, breakfast and lunch are provided.
Importance of Pre-K
Pre-Kindergarten provides children with many opportunities to explore the world around them in meaningful ways. In our Pre-K classroom, we have a balanced schedule that consists of teacher-initiated and child-initiated learning activities. There are many opportunities to engage in activities, explore materials, and interact with adults and peers in meaningful ways. Throughout the year, we have many different themes where we learn about some fun things such as celebrations around the world, animals, dinosaurs, space and so much more.
What a day in Pre-K looks like
8:20-8:50 a.m. Arrival – Wash Hands – Breakfast – Books
8:50 – 9:10 a.m. Morning Meeting
9:10–10:45 a.m. Centers
10:45– 11 a.m. Music & Movement – Bathroom & Wash Hands
11– 11:30 a.m. Lunch
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nap/Rest Time
12:30– 12:45 p.m. Snack
12:45– 12:50 p.m. SEL/Read-Aloud
12:50– 1:45 p.m. Centers
1:50 – 2 p.m. Developmental Whole Group & Pack-Up
2-2:30 p.m. Recess
2:30-2:40 p.m. Dismissal
Centers
Well-defined and labeled learning centers- print rich environment
-Instructional materials and equipment intentionally arranged in learning centers
All of this supports meaningful interactions: student – student, student – teachers
At least two hours and 10 minutes of center time daily- Teachers work with students during this time for differentiated instruction within small groups or individually.
Students are able to choose their centers and have free choice of what centers they go to. Centers are modified depending on the theme to enhance learning and concept development.
First few weeks of Pre-K
In the first few weeks of Pre-K we focus on routine, rules, and social-emotional learning. Routine is the strongest thing to help students know what to expect next in their day. Once a routine is established students are able to move around the classroom independently with little teacher assistance.
We learn about smooth drop-off and pick-up (the first few weeks is always the hardest), sharing, forming relationships, creating a classroom community, learn how to take of the classroom, and using words for their needs and wants.
Small group instruction
Students are able to join a small group during center time. During this small group time we work on fine motor skills (tracing, cutting, etc.) as well as building background knowledge, phonics, expressive and receptive language, vocabulary development and phonemic awareness.