Parent education is at the foundation of cooperative education.  To help fund parent education projects, PCPI members (US based schools and councils) can apply for a mini-grant from  the  Becky Allen Fund to secure financial support for a parent education project (Canadian members are eligible to apply for the Katherine Whiteside Taylor Grant in the spring).  

Last year, Chelsea Children's Cooperative Preschool in Chelsea, MI was awarded $400 to fund a parent library. The grant covered the cost of the books, which includes texts from the leading edge of child development research, as well as tried and true practices for parents to incorporate into daily life with their children. When parents return the materials, the school plans to ask parents for brief written feedback based on their experience with the book or suggestions for other borrowers. The practice would allow the school to track the success of the project as well as encourage collaboration and communication between parents.

 

In addition, Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool in Burke, VA was awarded $100 to help support a parent education program about incorporating the outdoors into daily life.  Guest speaker, Rebecca P. Cohen, who is the author of a parenting book and a children's book series, was scheduled to share her story of how the outdoors came to be a welcome parenting tool every day, and brought her family closer together, as well as share practical tips and her favorite outdoor activities for children.

 

Over the years many cooperative preschools have benefited from a range of parent education programs supported by the Fund. Topics have included various aspects of child development, such as the social/emotional and dealing with challenging behaviors, speech and language, techniques to support play-based learning, nutrition and more.  Schools have invited a variety of speakers including a psychologist, college teacher, occupational therapist, authors, as well as their own expert staff.

 

Your school or council could be the next recipient of funds to support a parent education program that is just right for you.  Up to $500 is available annually to fund programs in one or more eligible PCPI member schools or councils. Grant requests will be accepted until  December 15, 2017. Requests can be sent in letter or document form and should include the following information:

 

Requests should clearly describe a program that will be of value to your school/community with as many specifics as possible.  Please send requests via email to Lisa Meyer, Chairperson for the Becky Allen Fund, at [email protected].  (Please expect confirmation of receipt within two business days, otherwise, resend or contact the Chair at 301-474-5570).

 

The Grant request deadline is December 15, 2017.  Grant award decisions will be made by January 10, 2018.  Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity to enhance parent education at your school or within your council.

______________

T hank you to those of you who have made contributions in memory of Becky Allen, who devoted her life to early childhood education and the importance of parent involvement.   If you would like to contribute, please send your check (payable to PCPI with a notation that it is for the Becky Allen Fund to:

Donations are tax deductible.