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Updated July Preschool Newsletter

July1st - July 31st (2026)

Updated JulyPreschool NewsletterJuly1st - July 31st (2026)
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Become a Member

💕Membership Link

Click the blue link above for membership.

National Association for the Education of Young Children

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Preschool Code for Interpreter Support : 9080 Preschool Code for Interpreter Support : 9080

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Send your amazing pics to Robert.Stedman@rcsdk12.org for our Facebook Page. Send your amazing pics to Robert.Stedman@rcsdk12.org for our Facebook Page.

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Public Housing List for Families: Please share on Seesaw parent communication platform.

Apply for Public Housing for 2, 3, 4 bedrooms:

https://www.rochesterhousing.org/apply


Affordable Housing Opportunities :

https://www.affordablehousing.com/rochester-ny/


Other Housing Resources:


  • https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/
  • https://www.movoto.com/rentals/
  • https://rochestermanagement.com/properties/meadow-reserve-of-irondequoit/
  • https://www.rent.com/new-york/irondequoit-houses
  • https://www.forrent.com/find/NY/metro-Rochester/Irondequoit
  • https://www.realtor.com/apartments/Rochester_NY
  • https://www.socialserve.com/tenant/Search.html?ch=NY&city_id=50857&type=rental&advanced=t
  • https://www.pathstonecommunities.org/
  • https://merochester.tenantcloud.com/find#!?sort_type=new_listings
  • https://apgpropertymanagement.com/vacancies
  • https://tickle-realty.com/rentals/
  • https://www.gmprop.com/vacancies
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Procedures for Child Protective Services

As educators, we are all mandated reporters. If you see something, say something.

Here is the link to support the steps for reporting incidents. Please remember to notify your administrator before reaching out to CPS.

Playworks Outdoor Games and Resources

Playworks Resources


Five Transitions to Get Ready to Learn

Important Information Important Information

2026-2027 District Information

Preschool Locations


District Calendar Link


Parent link to sign up to receive text messages from RCSD.

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Summer Preschool Courses

Click on this for Summer Preschool Courses

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New York State Office of Early Learning Summer Resources

Summer Learning

Maintaining consistent cognitive and social engagement during the summer months is vital for early childhood development. The childhood brain develops quickly, which is why uninterrupted mental stimulation, such as reading, hands-on problem solving, and opportunities to maximize vocabulary and pre-literacy development during this time, is crucial. Summer programs and activities encourage peer interaction, leadership development, and independence. Consistent routines during the summer also make the transition back into a formal school environment smoother, boosting children’s self-esteem and lowering anxiety. Here are a few links that provide resources to support summer learning.

· Summer Learning Association: Summer Learning Ideas

· National Education Association (NEA) Resources to Support Summer Learning

· Reading Rockets: Summer Reading and Learning

· Reading Rockets Get Ready for Summer: Ideas for Teachers to Share with Families

· National PTA Summer Learning Resources

· NAEYC Summer Learning Resource for Families


Did you know? PBS Learning Media has lessons and videos available in multiple languages! Teachers and families can filter by grade level, language, or resource type.

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Free Summer Meals Map Finder Link for The United States

Summer Meal Resources


Ensuring that children receive nutritious meals during the summer months is crucial. The following resources will connect families with local meal sites and program details.


USDA Summer Meals Site Finder

Hunger Solutions New York

New York State Office of Early Learning Resources

  • New York State Education Law §818

  • Tapestry of New York online gallery

  • Most questions regarding this project can be answered on the Tapestry of New York FAQ page.

  • A cross-curricular teacher toolkit supporting historical reflection, inquiry, and arts enrichment.

Office of Early Learning PreK to 3rd Grade Literacy Instructional Best Practice

Should be used as a guidance document for classroom instruction.


https://www.nysed.gov/early-learning/prekindergarten-3rd-grade-literacy-instructional-best-practices-guide

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New York State Office of Early Learning Protocols for Diapering and Toileting

Permanent Adoption of Section 136.10 Relating to Statewide Protocols for Diapering and Toileting

Section 136.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Statewide Protocols for Diapering has been permanently adopted by the Board of Regents and went into effect on March 27, 2026.

These regulations establish uniform statewide protocols for student diapering and toileting in public schools, including requirements for safe, accessible equipment, supplies, facilities, and procedures that promote a healthy and safe environment.

The Office of Early Learning has created a Diapering and Toileting webpage to consolidate information and resources regarding this regulation, as well as a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions document.

Please reach out to the Office of Early Learning at OEL@nysed.gov with any questions.

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Dear Colleagues,

The Learning Centers in PreK and Kindergarten webinar recording is now available on our website. You can watch the Learning Centers in PreK and Kindergarten webinar online. Additional guidance and resources around learning centers can be found at the Student Centered Learning Environments Best Practices webpage.

Past webinars from the Office of Early Learning are available at the Early Learning Webinars webpage.

Any questions about these recorded webinars can be directed to OEL@nysed.gov.

Sincerely,

The Office of Early Learning

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Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education

Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education

Culturally responsive-sustaining (CR-S) education is grounded in a cultural view of learning and human development in which multiple expressions of diversity are recognized and regarded as assets for teaching and learning.

launch nysed.gov

NYS Guidelines for Specialized Services Regulations for a PreK Support Staff Person

  • https://www.nysed.gov/special-education/guidelines-determining-student-disabilitys-need-one-one-aide


  • https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/special-education/guidelines-for-determining-a-student-with-a-disabilitys-need-for-a-one-to-one-aide.pdf

Paraprofessional Responsibilities

All UPK and EPK Classrooms should have the following staff :

1 Preschool Teacher

1 Paraprofessional

1 Paraprofessional Break Aide that gives breaks between two Prek Classrooms.

( Please do not have any other grades in your PreK Classroom. The only time it is acceptable to have other students in the classroom is for volunteering purposes only. Thank you)


At no time should a break aide be covering arrival and dismissal for a building.

Also, all Preschool Paras receive differential pay for toileting duties.

Classroom teachers should collaborate with Paras to set up a classroom toileting schedule.

Preschool students who receive specialized services receive more staff in the classroom depending on their classification ( ICOT/ Self-Contained/ ASD).


I ask that you adhere to these state regulations to ensure that the staff ratio supports classrooms for indoor and outdoor safety.


Additionally, please remember the staff ratio per class, even if there are one or two children in the classroom is 2 adults. The teacher and Para must be in the classroom when students are in the room. It doesn't matter if it's one child or 18. We must maintain this ratio per state guidelines.


Thank you for understanding.

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Every Prek Parent can receive an RTS Monthly Bus Pass from the school secretary.

The contact person for bus passes is Michelle.Richardson-Wilson@RCSDK12.ORG

Instructions on how to receive your monthly bus passes for parents for all school secretaries.

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Parent Information and Support

  • Parents can call 585-262-8140 for any concerns regarding the Preschool Registration Process.
  • Our parents use See Saw to communicate with teachers and our school communities.
  • Please ensure that parents send in an excuse if their child is absent.
  • Adult Family Educators support, train, and advocate for families and classrooms daily. In addition, they partner and collaborate with Parent Liaisons and classroom teachers.
  • The Office of Parent Engagement and The Early Childhood Department will be collaborating moving forward to create collective impact in school communities. We will support every school and CBO while supporting the entire family and the whole child.
  • Kids out and about activities for every month in Rochester NY

Seesaw Parent Communication Directions

Seesaw PREK-2 (Seesaw Goal- connect families and send an announcement/message)

a. Click here for instructions for inviting families, and approving families

b. Click here for how to send messages to connected families Please note you can also translate typed text here!

c. Click here for Instructions for connecting Seesaw to your phone

SEL resources in Monroe County for youth struggling with mental health and behavoral needs.

  • Physical and Mental Health Services for Youth in The Fingerlakes Region


  • Childcare Council Mental Health Wellness Clinic


  • U OF R Brighter Days Pediatric Urgent Care Mental Health Clinic



  • https://www.mentalhealthednys.org/tools-and-resources ( NYS Mental Health Resources)
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Have a great day, The UPK Way! 😁 Have a great day, The UPK Way! 😁

Eva Thomas
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