Universal Pre-K 4 Program: 2026-2027 Welcome Letter

Dear Mount Pleasant Community,

The Mount Pleasant Central School District is offering Universal Pre-Kindergarten for 4-year-old children in the 2026-2027 school year in partnership with the YMCA of Central Westchester. It will be housed at Holy Rosary Church in Hawthorne, New York with a start in September 2026. Our Pre-K program will provide a high-quality, early education experience for children in our community. It will focus on building strong literacy and numeracy skills, social-emotional development and promoting a rich love for learning.

All eligible families are encouraged to apply. To qualify for the Pre-K-4 program in the 2026-2027 school year, children must be born between December 2, 2021 and December 1, 2022 and reside within our school district’s limits. AN ONLINE REGISTRATION APPLICATION, ALONG WITH PROOF OF AGE, RESIDENCY AND GUARDIANSHIP ARE REQUIRED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LOTTERY PROCESS.

PRE-ENROLLMENT / REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

• The online Pre-K-4 Pre-Enrollment period is from Monday, January 19, 2026 and end on January 30, 2026. 
• The Registrar will connect with pre-enrolled families no later than February 5, 2026 to ensure all documentation has been submitted.
• If needed, there will be a lottery selection process on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 10 a.m.  
• The lottery will be live-streamed via Zoom. The lottery will be conducted fairly and transparently, with all eligible children having an equal chance of being selected. Families will be notified of the lottery results by Thursday, February 12, 2026. Slots must be accepted by Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
• The District Registrar will email families who have been offered a slot by Friday, February 20, 2026 to set up an in-person registration meeting to review original registration documents.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• The Pre-K-4 Program will run from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (in accordance with Mt. Pleasant CSD’s school calendar).
• The YMCA can provide before-school care and after-school care. (Contact the YMCA directly regarding hours and cost.)
• Transportation will not be provided by the District.  It is the parents’ responsibility to drop off and pick up their child in a timely manner.
• Food and beverages will not be provided.  (It will be the parent’s responsibility to provide your child with these items each day).
• A comprehensive FAQ is posted to the UPK section of the district website.
• If you have any questions or would like more information about the Pre-K-4 program or its lottery process, please submit here.

The portal will open on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 10 a.m. We look forward to working with you to welcome our littlest wildcats to our community of learners.

Very truly yours,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools