August 29, 2022 Vol. 52, No.7 |
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Call for Image Contributions | Advisor Spotlight: Natalie Hall
NEW: A PCPI Legislative Committee! | Member Profile: Multnomah Playschool
Call for Financial Support
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If you are reading this newsletter, it is highly likely that we have something in common, and that's the shared value of PLAY! A hallmark of cooperative education, PCPI believes in the importance of play for our children, and we also believe in the benefit of teachers and caregivers coming alongside our little learners as they engage in play.
In an increasingly technological world, play doesn't always look the same as it once did. Walking into a co-op classroom can sometimes feel like you've stepped back in time a bit. The well-loved items found around a co-op are a reflection of traditions passed down from one generation to the next and a picture of the long-standing community that's been created in that space.
This month, PCPI would love to gather images of your toys and equipment that have stood the test of time (images of them in use are even better!). Take a stroll down memory lane with us!
Cooperatively yours,
Melissa Ranck
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
pcpinews@preschools.coop
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Pictured here is a treasured pedal carousel still in use by students at Oswego Playschool
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Which iconic toy do you consider to be the greatest of all time?
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Advisor Spotlight:
Natalie Hall, Virginia
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PCPI Advisor Natalie Hall brings an extensive background in education to the co-op world, with both master and doctoral degrees in Education and experience teaching government and English oversees as well as in local public high schools. Natalie met her husband abroad while teaching in Thailand, and her first involvement with cooperative preschools was in 1977 when their older daughter started at Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool (AUCP) in Virginia. Co-oping in preschool was a new experience, and Natalie loved being with her three children in the classroom. She held leadership positions in AUCP and the Virginia Council, which sent her to her first PCPI meeting in Portland in the late 1980s. |
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Natalie with her newest grandchild, Valentina,
who lives in Jordan. A future co-op kid!
"It's been my pleasure and honor to be involved and supportive of parent co-ops, as they are so important to young children and families and to me personally for 45 years and counting!"
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In 1989, Natalie moved to Burgundy Farm Country Day School, which is a progressive pre-Kindergarten to 8th Grade school on 25 acres in Alexandria, VA. Burgundy began as a parent cooperative and was the first integrated school in Virginia. Love for co-op runs deep in the Hall family, with two of Natalie's granddaughters having been in co-ops and her younger daughter having started a co-op in New Bern, NC. Since her initial involvement with PCPI, Natalie has served as President and Treasurer, continues to chair the Travel Grants Committee and the newly revived Legislative Committee, and is an Advisor. |
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PCPI is so thankful for each of our advisors who have dedicated their time and hearts to the cooperative community for so many years! |
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NEW: A PCPI Legislative Committee!
By Natalie Hall
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In the last edition of Cooperatively Speaking, we highlighted the push for universal Pre-K and the potential impact on the cooperative community. Read on to learn more about why PCPI feels that now is the right time to reestablish a Legislative Committee and how you can get involved.
Q: What’s the reason for starting the new Legislative Committee?
A: There is a big push on the US federal level to increase funding to make high quality preschool programs more accessible and to increase teacher
compensation. The push is coming from associations like NAEYC, childhood
educators, and citizens.
Q: How might federal legislation affect co-ops?
A: New funding could significantly change the state regulations under which co-ops currently operate.
Q: What can PCPI do?
A: We need to follow the legislation closely and be prepared to respond on the state/provincial level if needed. For example, a few years ago state regulations changed in Virginia and the Virginia Council had to actively work to modify the regulations to reflect how co-ops actually work, namely, with parent involvement. In the end, a legislative change was the solution.
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TIP: Get to know your state legislators! You may need their help at some
point. Invite them to school events and make them aware that co-op schools are important to their constituents and communities.
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Q: In the meantime, what else can schools and councils do?
A: First, have someone from each state or province join the Committee. Second, research what is happening in the state/province where your school is
located. A lot of research has been done on publicly funded preschools in The State of Preschool 2021 (US) by The National Institute for Early Education These are deep dives for those who love stats but show the immensity of the
early childcare and learning problem.
Q: If I have questions or want to join the committee, who should I contact?
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Member Profile: Multnomah Playschool |
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This month we're thrilled to introduce you to Multnomah Playschool, another of our hosts during PCPI's Annual Meeting in Portland this spring. We're sure you'll pick up some new ideas from this special school!
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What sets Multnomah Playschool apart from other preschool environments? |
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It's the teachers and grown-ups that make a school special. They are the heart of the school. It is also the environment itself, and at Multnomah Playschool (MPS), we have one of the most unique outdoor, natural play areas. We spend a lot of time outside playing, surrounded by trees with rocks to climb, slides to go down, and a sand and water area to build rivers and dams, with plenty of covered areas to take breaks from rain and sun. It's magical. |
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What are one or two events your school holds that are a highlight each year? |
Bike Day is a favorite amongst children. We set up our parking lot, creating a roadway with places to stop along the way. There is a bike wash that was built to resemble a drive-thru carwash. Water sprinkles down as the children ride through on their wheels, sponges dangling down on strips of shower curtains. There is even a place to decorate your bike or grab a beverage through the drive-through--perfect warm weather fun.
We also have a fall scavenger hike in the woods. It's an event for the whole family. The teachers create fun things to hide along the path for the children to find that follow a made-up story. Every year it changes, keeping the element of surprise alive. You might find a glittery leaf hanging from a tree, mini cauldrons to cook up magical potions, or see a little pumpkin smiling up at you. This is an excellent way to introduce younger children to hiking in the forest.
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We see that MPS has worked to develop a diversity/anti-bias curriculum! What does this look like in the classroom?
MPS follows an anti-bias curriculum promoting an understanding of cultural differences--the what, the how, and the why people engage with one another. This approach means creating a nurturing, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environment that reflects all children in the classroom. Each child should be able to see themselves in the materials, stories, dance, art, and music: the "whats" of culture.
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What does MPS believe about the value of time in and with nature?
Outside play in the early years provides many benefits for the mind and body. Being outside also can be regulating for the brain. Young bodies and brains can become dysregulated, and going out can often be a helpful switch- nurturing the nervous system. While playing outside, children also engage in gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving, creative play, being able to take appropriate risks, and figuring out how to play together. We are outside every day; we weather the weather, whatever the weather.
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Many thanks to Teacher Amanthus Lunn for giving us a glimpse into the many special aspects of Multnomah Playschool. |
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Call for Financial Support |
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A letter went out earlier this month to individuals on PCPI's general mailing list requesting financial support for only the third time in our organization's sixty-two year history. This request for your assistance is so important just now, NOT because we are faltering, but because we have so many ongoing programs and ideas for new endeavors that need solid funding.
Financial support, beyond membership dues, is needed for our very popular grants and loans to preschools, future publications, membership outreach, website enhancement, legislative efforts and travel to our critically important annual meetings.
Please consider partnering with PCPI by making a donation as outlined in this letter or via our website. Any gift, no matter how small, will be gratefully acknowledged. |
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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!
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Click the button below to send an email to PCPINews@preschools.coop.
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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!
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