INSIDE THIS ISSUE
What's Working? Nov. 14 Member Forum | New PCPI Members Google Group | Cooperative Spirit Grant In Action | Grant Opportunities - Apply Now! | 60+1 Celebration
Cooperatively Speaking
The Latest News From PCPI
November 11, 2020
Vol. 50, No.9
Dear Friends,

We want to know how you're doing! Please join us on Saturday for a member forum - more information and a registration link are included below. We welcome your thoughts on how PCPI can best support you and your school now and in the future.

Cooperatively yours,

Dianne Rose, M.Ed.
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
PCPInews@preschools.coop
What's Working?
Member Forum on Saturday, Nov. 14
Join us on Saturday, November 14th at 10am PST/ 1pm EST for a member sharing session about what is currently happening in schools and what's working for you. 

Members will have a chance to talk with peers and to learn from one another's experiences as we share what’s happening currently in our schools and communities. Whether your school is open, closed, virtual, or in-person, we'd love to find out more! Everyone is encouraged to come with highlights, stories, ideas, and questions.

All are welcome! Registration is required. Once you register, a link to the Zoom session will be emailed to you.
A New Way to Stay in Touch
A new PCPI Members Google Group has been created to give us another avenue to share ideas and information. This will replace the current Yahoo Group which will no longer be active after December 15th.

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 added. (If there are multiple people in your school who should be added to the group, you are welcome to include all if 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!
Cooperative Spirit Grant In Action

Despite the challenges of preschool in a pandemic, Sudbury Cooperative Preschool is moving forward with their Cooperative Spirit Grant project. The school is creating an inviting playground space with natural components to inspire creativity and fun.

So far, Sudbury has purchased and installed planters and large spool tables for the playground as well as some large textured turf rugs. They have put the shared loose parts materials on hold because of COVID but will complete the project as soon as it is feasible. Looking good!
Grant Opportunities - Apply NOW!

Apply by December 15th

Cooperative preschools in the US and Canada are eligible to apply for PCPI grants to support parent education and community building. Member councils are also eligible for a grants to fund a council cooperative project. 

Applications for all grants are due by midnight December 15th, 2020. Grant award decisions will be made by January 15, 2021. Be sure to send in your applications before the deadline! 

Here's a summary of upcoming grant opportunities:
PCPI Member Schools and Councils
Total grant up to $1,000

Provides financial support for increasing parent involvement by initiating a school or community improvement project.
_______
 US Schools and
Councils
Total grant up to $500 

Helps fund a parent education project for US based member schools and councils.
________
Canadian Schools and Councils
Total grant up to $500

Helps fund a parent education project or other activity for Canadian based schools and councils. 
________
Planning to Celebrate 60+1
Birthdays are awesome, and we're not going to let a pandemic get in the way of celebrating!

This year marked PCPI's 60th, and we had big party plans in the works. However, when we made the decision to cancel the in-person annual meeting, we decided to postpone our anniversary celebration until 2021 in hopes that we could do it together in real life.

So, the 60+1 Celebration Committee is busy, busy, making plans for a shindig in Portland in 2021. Stay tuned for details!