The curriculum will not necessarily cover more content, but rather the extended time will allow our teachers and students to dive deeper into the content and develop mastery of the core content standards. The additional time will allow for more instructional time, as well as more intervention support.

Research has shown that the act of play is an important component in early learning. Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek has outlined the following critical benefits of active playful learning:

• Collaboration: Working together to build something
• Communication: Talking, writing, and listening
• Content: Academic skills, learning facts, and self-regulatory behaviors
• Critical thinking: Evaluating information and solving problems
• Creative innovation: Thinking of new ways to solve problems
• Confidence: Persisting through failure

In addition to 15-20 minutes of recess twice a day, our goal is to integrate outdoor learning and connections to nature at least one hour per school day. This nature-based learning improves wellness with reductions in stress and anxiety, and increases in creativity, interpersonal skills, and physical activity. Weather dependent, this goal would continue throughout the school year.

The only requirement is that students must be five (5) years old on or before September 1. Beyond that, there are no prerequisites to entering Kindergarten. We will help all children grow!

Class sizes are guided by our Board-approved school staffing standards. For Kindergarten, 23+/- students is the guideline followed when considering an additional class.

The Pre-First program is offered as an additional grade level between Kindergarten and 1st-grade. While not an academic intervention, Pre-First is designed to allow additional time for maturity and development for students who may not yet be ready for the rigors of 1st-grade. Recommendations for Pre-First will be made by our Kindergarten teachers in late-winter/early-spring of the school year. 

The Pre-First program will be housed at Unionville Elementary School. Transportation to and from Unionville Elementary for Pre-First will be provided in the same manner as all other students.

District transportation will be provided to and from school for all students in UCFSD. Transportation details including bus numbers, bus stops, and pick-up and drop-off times will be communicated in August prior to the start of the school year. 

Families are welcome to pick-up and drop-off their students each day. Procedures for doing so will be provided by each elementary school closer to the start of the school year.

Students can be dropped off at school each morning beginning at 8:50 am with dismissal scheduled for 3:40 pm. For families that require additional supervision, each elementary school in UCFSD partners with the local YMCA for before and after care. Questions about availability, hours of operation, and cost should be directed to the YMCA.

Safety and security for our students and staff are our greatest priority in UCFSD. Information regarding safety and security in UCFSD can be found here.