In the 2005-2006 school year, Maynardville Elementary School opened the first Pre-K program in the county. The following year, Luttrell and Sharps Chapel Elementary schools added Pre-K programs in their respective communities. Due to the high number of applicants, the Union County Community Pre-K Advisory Council (also known as CPAC) requested additional funds from the Title I grant and then added a fourth program at Big Ridge Elementary. Finally, after applying for the yearly Voluntary Pre-K Grant, Paulette Elementary added the program for the 2018-2019 school year.

Here’s the kicker - ANYONE CAN APPLY, REGARDLESS OF INCOME.

“Being able to serve 100 Pre-K children in the county has been one of our greatest accomplishments,” says Pre-K Director Roger Flatford, principal at Sharps Chapel Elementary. “There is research which supports the benefits of children attending quality Pre-K programs including social-emotional development, language and literacy skills, math skills, and STEM related concepts. Union County Kindergarten teachers agree that students who attend our Pre-K programs are better prepared socially, emotionally and academically to handle the rigor of Kindergarten.”

Additional benefits include free transportation, free breakfast, lunch, and snack, and free school supplies. Locations within the elementary schools have allowed opportunities for Pre-K students to get to know their future Kindergarten and special area teachers.

“Students who attend our programs want for nothing,” Flatford says. He also said that the zoning rules do not apply to Pre-K students. “If you live in Luttrell and want your child to attend Sharps Chapel Elementary, then it’s not a problem. Zoning rules only apply to children K-12.”

When asked what future goals Union County Pre-K Programs have, Flatford gave one simple statement, “Expand programs to ALL four year olds.”

How can the community help expand these programs to everyone? Register. A high registration number shows a need for additional funding, which in turn may allow the county to open additional programs.

How can you register your child? It is simple; call any Union County elementary school to schedule an appointment with a Pre-K teacher. Registrations are on-going every year, even in the current school year. If you wish to apply to multiple Union County Pre-K programs, you can do so in one appointment at any elementary school.

Parents/guardians will need the following items at your child’s appointment: Child's birth certificate, child's social security card, proof of address (such as an electric/water bill), proof of income (such as a check stub, W2, income tax return, or DHS letter with case number listed), TennCare card (if applicable), Custody papers (if applicable), and any medical documentation (such as allergies, impairments, disabilities, therapies). Contact information below.

Big Ridge Elementary School 865-992-8687 (Amy Kopp or Angie Clay)
Luttrell Elementary School 865-992-3441 (Stephany Clark or Danielle Mays)
Maynardville Elementary School 865-992-8391 (Tonya Bailey or Jerica Bailey)
Paulette Elementary School 865-745-0224 (Christy Cox or Phyllis Tharpe)
Sharps Chapel Elementary School 865-992-7087 (Erica Berry or Kristi Brantley)

Visit the UCPS website at http://www.ucps.org.schools.bz/ and click on the Pre-K program tab for more information about our programs, services, and resources.