Parents with preschool-aged kids in Greenwood Lake can now sign up for free, universal pre-K through the school district.

District administrators joined Sen. James Skoufis Thursday to announce their new, state-funded UPK program. 

Greenwood Lake is the final district in Orange County to offer the free pre-kindergarten schooling to families under a four-year rollout program statewide.

“Opening a pre-K classroom in our elementary school is a landmark moment in our school district," said Greenwood Lake School Superintendent Sarah Hadden. "We are grateful to Sen. Skoufis for his hands-on guidance and assistance, as we were exploring the options of offering this program to our youngest students.” 

Skoufis says the state’s UPK funding is a “game-changer” to families who previously had to choose between their child’s early education and their finances. 

Greenwood Lake is also among many Orange County school districts expected to benefit from an upcoming change in federal policy and $134 million in the New York state budget for free and reduced student meals. 

The USDA’s modification of what’s known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) will grant universal free school meals to all students within a given district where at least 25% of pupils are eligible for support, and the new funding will allow the state to reimburse CEP-participating schools, eliminating the local share of costs. 

This change is expected to have wide-ranging nutritional and social impacts for students who may be struggling and will enable eligible school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, not just those who meet income requirements.