INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Really, We Were Never Closed  | No Need To Judge | Register for Member Forum #3 | Anti-bias Resources |
PCPI Emergency Loan/Grant Fund Established

Cooperatively Speaking
The Latest News From PCPI
June 2020
Vol. 50 No.4
Dear Friends,

I have been trying for weeks (or maybe even longer) to produce a newsletter. You would think with all that has been happening in the world it would be an easy thing. But the reality of living in 2020, with constantly shifting events, focus, advice, guidelines, laws, regulations, rulings, and understanding, along with the associated feelings of fear, uncertainty, outrage, surprise, determination, empathy, and occasionally hope, it has been very difficult to choose the right moment in time to capture what we know to be true, and to think about where to go from here.

Thankfully, while we may all be reeling from change and simultaneously regaining our footing, we are doing it together. I hope that you, too, have found strength in our cooperative community. Through member forums and Facebook dialogs, let’s keep sharing creativity and inspiration. We are stronger together.

Cooperatively yours,

Dianne Rose, M.Ed.
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking

Really, We Were Never Closed
In reflecting on how schools and teachers have had to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, Lesley Romanoff from Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School said, “I have come to really dislike the word “pivot.” While a change did take place, she prefers to think of it as “never closed”. 

When schools had to change their pedagogy overnight, and teachers, parents, and students went online, schools were indeed open. Most schools closed their physical doors, but their programs never closed. Their educational philosophy remained intact. The teachers were working. Connections with children and families stayed strong. 

For Lesley, the transformation in thinking from being closed to just shifting gears (maybe she would prefer that term over pivot) was “uplifting and freeing,” especially as she looks forward to the fall. Helping families to understand that no matter how it looks, school will be open, may be time and conversation well spent in this year that is like no other. 
No Need To Judge
Certainly the advice we’re receiving about how to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe in the world with COVID-19 can be confusing. This video seems spot on.

As we move toward returning to summer camps and school rooms in the new normal, families may have differing views and opinions about how to keep children and teachers safe. The variations on ideas could be vast, and while that works fine for individuals and families, wide-ranging expectations have the potential to be the source of controversy in school.
Arriving at a common understanding of what will be required to allow your school to open, and to stay open, is something you should consider working on now. Communication about factors that drive your decisions (state/province mandated guidelines, licensing regulations, CDC recommendations) should be shared, and taking time to listen to concerns and consider suggestions from stakeholders. A survey, a virtual town hall, an informational email, or even a simple phone conversation can all go a long way toward educating folks and bringing them together in a way that can support your school going forward. 
Register for the Next
PCPI Online Member Forum
Thursday, June 25th
1:00 pm Pacific / 4:00 pm Eastern
PCPI will host the next in a series of member forums with a focus on planning for re-opening schools. The meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday, Jun 25, 2020 at 1:00 PM Pacific Time (4:00 PM Eastern Time).

You must register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

As with past forums the meeting is limited to 100 persons, but a recap of the meeting will be sent to anyone who registers whether or not they are able to attend.

 Questions? We're happy to help. Email dianne.rose@preschools.coop .
Anti-bias Resources
We are so lucky that right now lots of people are writing, collecting, and sharing resources to help others learn and grow in their understand of the need for and the how-to’s of anti-bias education for even the youngest children. Knowing where to begin can be overwhelming, but the links below might provide a starting point for you and the families in your circle.

Articles


Collections


Websites


Videos

PCPI Emergency Loan/Grant
Fund Established
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on many of our schools, and we know that schools may be struggling financially as they work to re-open under new guidelines.

To help, PCPI has created a one-time Emergency Loan/Grant Fund to provide financial assistance to three schools that have a plan for long-term success, but with short-term financial needs that would be helped by this loan and grant.

U.S. and Canadian preschools with their own membership in PCPI for the calendar year 2020 will be eligible to apply.

The application and details will be announced in Cooperatively Speaking in early July. Stay tuned!