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Co-Op Model & Participation
HOW A COOPERATIVE WORKS
A parent cooperative preschool is organized by a group of families with similar philosophies who hire trained teachers to provide their children with a quality preschool experience. The preschool is administered and maintained by the parents. The parents assist the professional teachers in the classroom on a rotating basis and participate in the educational program of all the children. Each family shares in the business operation of the school, thus making it truly a cooperative venture. Parents, preschool children and their teachers all go to school together and learn together.
Workdays
To foster the collaborative nature of the Co-op, each family has one adult work in the classroom one day per week. "One Day Every Other Week," and "Non-Participation" positions are available on a limited basis. Work schedule preference is given by enrollment date.
Community Meetings
Community meetings are a fun way for us to grow as a community and build skills as parents and collaborative educators. One or more parent/guardian will join the monthly meeting for approximately two hours for community fun and education.
General Maintenance
Having families assist with maintaining and improving the school helps to keep tuition amounts low, allows member families to give input to improving the school, and provides an opportunity for community building. Each family completes at least 4 maintenance hours per year - 2 hours in the fall and 2 hours in the spring. The maintenance hours requirement may be met at one of the scheduled community maintenance days or with a special individual project available during the year.
Fundraising
Fundraising is an essential part of funding our curriculum and capital improvements to the school. By working together to fundraise, the school is able to provide field trips, special visitors to the school, and invest in school improvements. Each family has a fundraising goal of $390 per year (prorated for mid-year starts), and the school community provides a variety of fun and accessible opportunities for meeting that goal each year.
Each family participates in the following:
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