INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Massachusetts Licensing Challenges Co-Ops | Last Chance for Grants | Prepping for Portland | Travel Grants to Get YOU There | Join Us! | Start Thinking About Awards
|
|
Cooperatively Speaking
The Latest News From PCPI
|
|
December 13, 2021 Vol. 51, No.8 |
|
Co-ops in Massachusetts Face Licensing Challenges |
|
As a parent cooperative school that's been operating for 50 years, the parents and staff at Corner Co-op Nursery School have seen first hand how the decisions of licensors in Massachusetts have supported or impeded their work over the decades.
The most recent challenge faced by the school, and likely by all co-ops in the state, is nearly identical to the one faced by Virginia co-ops in 2018: Massachusetts licensing inspectors are demanding that parents volunteering in the co-op meet the same training requirements as teachers.
Beth Mahar, Director at Corner Co-op, recognizes that the licensing regulations are made with full-day child care programs with paid staff with varying levels of experience in mind, and they do not take into consideration that parents naturally bring a high level of experience to the table. Beth explains, "We don't want to compromise what we do and what we can offer to children and families, because we are being made to fit into a structure that doesn't recognize the role and needs of parent cooperatives."
In a co-op, parents should be able to help with all aspects of the program without meeting all of the same requirements as an early child educator. That is not to say that parents don't require training, but that their training needs are different than professional staff, and licensing regulations need to recognize that difference. While it seems reasonable to ask every adult who helps in a co-op undergo a background check, schools cannot feasibly ask parents and guardians to take multiple courses.
PCPI is organizing a forum discussion to take place early in 2022 to focus on licensing challenges faced by co-ops, with a specific focus on providing support, ideas, and resources for co-ops in Massachusetts. While each state works differently, we can all learn from one another about how to protect and support co-ops that could be threatened by regulatory requirements. Stay tuned for details.
|
|
Grant Applications Due Wednesday |
|
There's still time to apply!
Applications for several grants are due by midnight December 15th, 2021. Grant award decisions will be made by January 15, 2022. Be sure to send in your applications before the deadline!
Here's a summary of grant opportunities:
|
|
PCPI Member Schools and Councils
Total grant up to $1,000
Provides financial support for increasing parent involvement via a school or project. Emergency Grants are also available this year.
_______
|
|
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.
________
|
|
Co-op Spirit + Emergency Grants:
We Want To See Your Ideas
by Kathy Ems
|
|
Did the pandemic leave you worrying about finances? Do you have a project involving parents that you would love to see completed? There is still time - but not much – to apply for a Cooperative Spirit or Emergency grant. The deadline is midnight PST December 15, 2021. US and Canadian schools with a direct membership in PCPI are eligible. Member councils can apply for a council project or need.
Click the button below to view the application, then complete the requirements to let us know how we could help, and your application will be seriously considered. Emergency grants can be for up to $850 and Cooperative Spirit project grants have a maximum of $1000. Grant recipients will be selected by January 15 and notified soon after.
We love that PCPI has received donations and managed its money carefully so that we can assist our member schools. Maybe your school will be selected this year. We welcome your application.
|
|
You're Invited to Portland!
by Kathy Ems
|
|
We invite all members to attend PCPI’s Annual General Meetings, taking place in Portland, OR beginning Thursday evening, April 28 and concluding Saturday evening, April 30.
The Marika Townshend Travel Grant fund can help you with expenses, so please seriously consider coming to Portland. We conduct PCPI business, visit schools, celebrate Awards recipients and our 60++ Anniversary, and talk and share about cooperative preschools. Being in the company of others who value co-ops so highly is energizing – sending you home ready to support your school and advocate for all co-ops.
We will be staying at the Grand Hotel at Bridgeport in the suburb of Tigard, OR. A link to reserve rooms will be available in 2022. The registration fee of $125 will include the Awards Luncheon and most other meals. If you would like a roommate, let us know and we will try to find a match.
Attendees must be vaccinated against Covid. We will follow all safety protocols.
We hope to see you there. If you have questions, feel free to contact Kathy Ems at rkems@comcast.net.
|
|
|
|
Parent Cooperative Preschools International
2022 Annual Meetings
- Thursday, April 28 is a travel date and possible evening meeting and/or school visit
- Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30 Meetings, Awards Luncheon, and school visits
Portland, Oregon - The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport in the Portland suburb of Tigard. (Double Queen rooms $129 per night ($146.16 with tax; King room $119 per night ($134.83 with tax))
|
|
PCPI Will Help YOU Get to Portland!
by Natalie Hall
|
|
Are you thinking about attending PCPI’s Annual Meeting?
You should! The Marika Townshend Travel Grants help PCPI members attend the Annual Meeting which will be held in Portland, Oregon April 28-May 1, 2022.
Why should you attend?
Preschool visits, meetings, the 60+2 Anniversary Celebration, and making new friends with other co-op preschool advocates will be some of the highlights.
What do the grants cover?
The grants help defray the cost of registration, hotel, food, and transportation. The application will be available on the PCPI website in January 2022. The application deadline is February 15. Grants will be announced by March 1.
Questions?
See YOU in Portland!
|
|
So Many Reasons to Become A Member
by Roberta Stuart
|
|
Do you like being a part of something bigger than yourself? Do you find satisfaction in being a part of a community of like minded individuals?
Parent Cooperative Preschools International is an affirming, constructive network of educational communities that positively support learning through play for young children ages 2-5. Teaching and playing with the next generation of creative, problem solving, team building thinkers. That’s the ultimate mission.
Join us, together we are stronger! Together we can productively support each other to contribute to our collective community and benefit through various PCPI initiatives; the Cooperatively Speaking newsletter, online chat groups for parents, board members and educators, the Annual Grants and Member Awards programs, and to gather for our Annual General meetings this year in Portland, Oregon. Join us through our travel grant program where we tour local preschool member's schools and get a glimpse at local preschools in action.
Join together and enjoy the benefits of membership!
|
|
It's Never Too Early To Start
Thinking About Awards
by Carole Cordle
|
|
Is there a member of your coop community who deserves a special thank you for their contribution to your program? Each year, PCPI is honoured to recognize teachers, parents, Board members, Directors and community supporters for their involvement with and commitment to the preschool cooperative movement.
|
|
A 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!
-
Click the button below to send an email to PCPINews@preschools.coop.
-
Use the subject line: Add to Google Group.
- 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
