INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Awards Nominations Deadline Extended | Employment Opportunities | Welcome, New Member
Cooperatively Speaking
The Latest News From PCPI
April 19, 2021
Vol. 51, No.3
Hello All,

Many of us are now thinking about bringing this wild ride of school year to a close. This is a great time to consider acknowledging the people who went above and beyond to make the school year happen.

Please consider submitting a nomination for those deserving special recognition. The deadline for submissions has been extended through May 1. Read on for details.

Cooperatively yours,

Dianne Rose, M.Ed.
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
PCPInews@preschools.coop
Call for 2021 Award Nominations
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Nominations Due: May 1
Our co-ops keep going because of the dedicated individuals that work hard to keep them relevant and vital to our unique communities. Each year PCPI takes time to honor those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the cooperative preschool movement. The past year has required more creativity, cooperation, and decisive leadership than ever before, so there are many out there who deserve formal recognition.

The PCPI Awards Committee is depending on you to nominate the people in your cooperative circle who deserve special recognition. Award categories include:
  • District Award recognizes parents, board members, teachers, directors and administrators for their effective leadership, cooperative spirit and dedicated commitment to the well-being of parent cooperative preschools at the school, local, district, council or regional level.

  • Continuing Service District Award includes the same criteria as above, with an additional five years of service after a District Award.

  • National Award honors activity that has had a favorable impact on parent cooperative preschools at more than the school, local, district, council or regional level. This may include, but not be limited to, serving on the PCPI board of directors, liaising with related national organizations, original research, writing or editorial work, legislative effort, or any important contribution to the parent cooperative preschool movement.

  • Susie Stone Outstanding Educator Award (new in 2021) recognizes teachers who demonstrate commitment and dedication to the philosophy of learning through play. Given in honor of Susie Stone, a vibrant and dynamic teacher of young children and advocate for the cooperative model, the award celebrates the importance of a strong connection between home and preschool, and the true value of hands-on play-based learning in early childhood.

  • Robin Garthright Bunster Award for Excellence in Teaching One award is given each year, selected from the nominees for District, Continuing Service District, National, and Susie Stone Outstanding Educator Awards. By recognizing excellence in teaching, the award embodies the spirit of Robin Garthright Bunster, a former teacher, member of the PCPI board and champion of learning through play. Nominee is a teacher of children and/or adults, and an advocate for learning through play. The award includes a $500 honorarium.

  • Certificate of Appreciation in acknowledgement of those individuals or entities who have made a singular contribution to the parent cooperative preschool movement, e.g., a generous gift of funds, goods or services, a landlord’s exceptional cooperation, a grandparent’s gift of time or skill, recognition of a preschool’s anniversary, or other special circumstances. Nominees need not be a member of PCPI.

  • Honorary Life Membership for an exceptional contribution to, or unique involvement in, the parent cooperative movement (beyond years of service).
The Robin Garthright Bunster Award for Teaching Excellence was created in honor of Robin Bunster, an outstanding teacher in Oregon and a board member of PCPI when she passed away from cancer. Her husband has funded this award in her memory and a $500 honorarium for the teacher's personal use is part of the award. Mr. Bunster recognized how much of their own time and resources co-op preschool teachers invest in their schools.

Detailed awards criteria and nomination forms can be found on the PCPI website. Nominations are due April 15 along with a $20 application fee. A $35 pin is also available to give to award recipients.

Questions should be sent to the PCPI Awards Committee at pcpi.awards@preschools.coop.
Employment Opportunities
Chicago, IL

Position: Preschool Director
Families Together Cooperative Nursery School (FTCNS, www.ftcns.org) is a DCFS-licensed, NAEYC accredited cooperative preschool that has operated for 20+ years in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. The school provides a play-based educational environment where parents and caregivers are integral to the life of the school.

FTCNS is seeking an inspiring educational leader to serve as their next Director, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. This position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, passionate educator and school leader who is committed to supporting and nurturing early childhood teachers and staff, skilled at working with parents as learning and leadership partners, and deeply understands and promotes the value of play, emergent curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, and anti-bias education. 


You can learn more about the open position HERE.
Reston, VA

Position: Executive Director
The Reston Children’s Center (RCC) seeks visionary, high-energy, experienced, and caring candidates for its next Executive Director.

In its 54th year of operation serving Reston and nearby communities, RCC seeks to continue its tradition of promoting play-based learning opportunities and individual creativity, while maintaining high standards of care and fostering equal opportunity in learning and education for all children. In addition, the staff, members, and Board together look toward the future of RCC with anticipation of opportunities for growth and change aligned with its mission.

RCC is a parent-governed cooperative organized to finance and operate a non-profit community program serving the developmental and educational needs of children and providing support systems for families. At its regular capacity, RCC enrolls more than 200 students each school year, including programs for infant and toddler care, preschool, kindergarten, and before- and after-school enrichment and summer camp for school-age children grades kindergarten through sixth.

You can learn more about the position HERE.
Be a Part of the Conversation!
A new PCPI Members Google Group has been created to give us another avenue to share ideas and information. This has replaced the Yahoo Group which is no longer active.

Joining is easy!
  1. Click the button below to send an email to PCPINews@preschools.coop.
  2. Use the subject line: Add to Google Group.
  3. Include your first and last name, your school and/or council name, and the email address you'd like to have added. (If there are multiple people in your school who should be added to the group, you are welcome to include all of their information in one email.)

Group members will receive a daily digest of messages exchanged. Message threads will be grouped by topic for easy searching later. Spread the word!
Welcome to Our New School Member!
We'd like to give a warm welcome to our newest member school. We look forward to getting to know you better!