UCSD Early Childhood Education

30/07/2025

Save the date! ✍️
https://www.uticaschools.org/news/1812999/district-news-universal-pre-k-open-house-registration-event-august-20-2025

25/06/2025

Thank you to the Utica Blue Sox for visiting our Kernan Elementary UPK classroom! ⚾️📖

Students loved spending time with the players, hearing a fun story, and asking lots of questions!

We are already looking forward to the Blue Sox next visit!

24/06/2025

✨Shoutout to Our Amazing UPK Directors and Teachers! ✨

UCSD Early Childhood Education Director, Judeanne Rockford, presented at the June 22nd, UCSD Board of Education meeting to give an update on all the incredible initiatives happening to reach our earliest learners throughout the City of Utica.

Our UPK program has classrooms throughout the city, including those at The Neighborhood Center, Inc., North Utica Community Center (NHC), Thea Bowman House, Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc. (Calvary), and The Official Notre Dame Elementary School, Utica NY.

As our Jr. Raiders take their next big step into their K-12 journey, we want to give a HUGE thank you to these incredible UPK teachers and directors who make it all possible! And a very special shout out and thank you to the team at Perch Place Consulting for all of their hard work and collaborations with UCSD to ensure our UPK directors and teachers are supported.

From each classrooms across our city, each of you have been the heart of early learning ensuring that you are nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and laying the foundation for lifelong success.

Your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed, and the Utica City School District is so thankful for each of you! ❤️🖤

23/06/2025

Mrs. Stefanski's class took a trip to the Utica Zoo. The students had a great time seeing all of the animals, and checking out the new dinosaur exhibit!

Check out a few photos from their day.

01/04/2025

♻️Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ♻️

Students made shakers with water bottles and beans, made paper mâché bowls from newspaper, and used recycled crayons that used to be old broken crayons.

03/03/2025

🎉100th Day of School Celebration! 🎉

Students marked the 100th day of school with excitement, celebrating their achievements and growth in Mrs. B's class at Thea Bowman House.

The classroom was abuzz with fun activities like counting to 100, building a tower with 100 cups, creative art projects, and dressing up as 100-year-old.

The day was filled with joy, laughter, and a sense of accomplishment as students reflected on how far they've come in their learning journey.

28/02/2025

28/02/2025

Thea Bowman House Paper Bag Princesses and Princes Parade! 👑

Students enjoyed the book, The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch and wanted to design their own shirts! Students
then had a parade to close out the Clothing Study.

Check out the Paper Bag Princesses and Princes in our gallery:

28/02/2025

Calvary students having some fun in the snow!! ❄️⛄️

We can't wait for Spring flowers!🌷🪻🌞

20/12/2024

Ready for Kindergarten’s Mr. Zach and Ms. Kristen handed out candy canes to our UPK students to spread some holiday cheer!

09/12/2024

Mrs. Stefanski's UPK classroom is so excited to share their cars and pinwheels from the WHEELS unit of our new Creative Curriculum Program!

06/12/2024

Making friends and having fun in Mrs. Bishop's UPK classroom!