INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PCPI Emergency Loan/Grant Fund Application Deadline | Canadians Only! Grant Opportunity | August 4 Forum Registration | Congratulations to our 2020 Award Recipients! | New Member Shout Out
Cooperatively Speaking
The Latest News From PCPI
August 1, 2020
Vol. 50, No.6
Dear Friends,

In the spirit of Mr. Rogers, we should look for the good that is coming from learning to manage through this pandemic. For me, a bright spot has been the chance to get to know so many of you through our member forums and online discussions. While we are all looking for safe ways to get back to school, it is really comforting to know that there are others in the same situation who are willing to share their ideas as well as to commiserate as we cope with constant change.

I hope you are staying well during this very unusual time.

Cooperatively yours,

Dianne Rose, M.Ed.
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
pcpinewsletter@gmail.com

Calling all Canadian Preschool
Cooperatives!
PCPI Emergency Loan/Grant
Applications Due
Did you know that PCPI has a grant that is just for you? The Katherine Whiteside Taylor Grant is awarded to our deserving Canadian member schools to use towards a parenting education program or similar endeavour that enhances your school. You can win up to $500 towards your project.

A little history about the person behind this grant. Katharine Whiteside Taylor devoted her life to cooperation, education, children, and peace. She developed family life and parent education programs that were shared around the globe. She was a founding member of Parent Cooperative Preschools International, and served as advisor for PCPI for the rest of her life.

This grant can’t come at a better time for many schools that may find themselves in the confines of a tighter budget with the uncertainty that the pandemic we have been living through may have caused. As our governments have been trying to avoid economic downfalls, there has been an increase in spending and therefore going forward a likely decrease in government grant programs. Alternative funding can help your school continue with its great programming.

The application will be available in early fall, with a submission deadline of December 15th, 2020. You will be notified early in 2021 and able to use the funds right away. Some examples of what other schools have applied for have been things such as guest speakers, parent library enhancements, parent courses and more. Get creative! We look forward to your applications this fall!
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. Not a member? Click here to learn more about membership options. Memberships that start July 2020 or later will extend through December, 2021.


Applications due August 15, 2020.

Award decisions will be made by September 5, 2020.

Questions can be directed to Kathy Ems, PCPI Treasurer, at rkems@comcast.net.
Member Forum:
Communication in an Age of Uncertainty
Tuesday, August 4th
11am Pacific / 2pm Eastern
The next PCPI Forum "Communication in an Age of Uncertainty" will take place via Zoom on August 4th.

PCPI will host special guest Francine Ronis , a licensed professional counselor and parent coach, to answer questions and offer advice to parents, teachers, and directors who are trying to keep co-op communities together as we respond to the fallout of the pandemic.

Pre-registration is required, so be sure to sign up soon. All are welcome!
Congratulations 2020 Honorees!
Covid 19 scuttled our plans to celebrate the accomplishments of so many inspirational teachers at our conference this year. Each award winning teacher is recognized by her preschool community for her contributions and commitment to the cooperative model and the children and families in her program. Congratulations to all of this year's recipients!

We look forward to celebrating more teachers and cooperative supporters next year.
District Awards
Andrea Fowler
Canby, Oregon
Children taught and loved by “Teacher Andy” at Canby Community Preschool fall in love with learning without realizing it.

The community benefits greatly from Andy Fowler’s devotion to inclusion and the ability to make every moment teachable. Under her leadership, a generation of children experienced learning through play indoors and outside.

Parents know her as the preschool child whisperer and can’t help but absorb parenting strategies while assisting her in the classroom. Andy has been part of CCP since serving on the first parent board in 1995. She is retiring in 2021 after 16 years of teaching three and four year olds.
Kayla McAfee
Tigard, Oregon
Kayla has a strong passion for children and their learning with experience in both traditional and cooperative preschools.

She has spent over a decade immersed in the cooperative preschool environment as a teacher, assistant teacher, parent teacher and board member. Six years ago she was a founding member and continues as a lead teacher of Creative Hands Preschool.

As a teacher she is nurturing, compassionate, patient and fun. Kayla implements developmentally appropriate practice curriculum through both child and teacher directed activities to support the whole child’s development (cognitive, social, emotional, physical) through a child’s natural work; play.
Continuing District Awards
Penny Berrien
Hillsboro, Oregon
Penny Berrien has been teaching at Hillsboro Parent Participation Preschool for almost 30 years. In that time, countless families have benefitted from her warmth, insight and passion.

Beyond being such a gift to the families she directly interacts with, Penny has been (and continues to be) active on the PCPO Board, assisting and mentoring regional schools and teachers, and promoting the value of play-based and co-op early childhood education.
Jennifer Rippy
Indianapolis, Indiana
Jennifer Rippy is an exceptional teacher every day, but over the last year and a half, she showed that cooperative preschool really is family. When one of her students was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, she was determined to make his life in the hospital as normal as possible. By visiting the hospital, having the kids make cards, and sharing class photos, she helped his days become more tolerable. She talked about him often with her students and their parents so everyone would know he was still part of the class. The entire school rejoiced together when he was declared cancer free!

Through her guidance and dedication, our school came together to support and love this family at the time they needed it most.
District Award and Robin Garthright Bunster
Award for Excellence in Teaching
Sandy Hodge
Portland, Oregon
Teacher Sandy shines in her current role as the Educational Director and Teacher at Hancock Street Preschool. She exemplifies that rare combination of educator, explorer, encourager, mentor and trusted confidant. Sandy enthusiastically embraces her role as a curious life-long learner, and her zeal for learning is wonderfully courageous and contagious. She has often been heard to say that she learns daily from the children and parents that she partners with in the classroom.

Sandy's classroom experience includes teaching in a preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. Having worked as an educator for the past 25 years, she developed a deep appreciation for the value of play-based schools and cooperative learning environments. She embraces the sense of community that is fostered for both children and adults in the co-op setting, and she feels fortunate to spend her days with children who allow her to be part of their natural enthusiasm for wondering, exploring, and creating.

After 17 wonderful years at Hancock Street Preschool, Teacher Sandy will be retiring in June 2020. Thankfully, she has already established a plan to offer her services as a mentor and substitute teacher to the greater PCPO community in the Portland Metro area!
Teenie MacLeod
Lake Oswego, Oregon
From the moment Teacher Teenie kneels down to connect with each child as they walk into the school, she creates an atmosphere where children can safely share their feelings and resolve anything that arises. Teenie’s choice of language, her calm guidance and willingness to listen helps children feel empowered and inspired.

Teenie recently collaborated with students to draw maps of the neighborhoods near school, followed by several walking field trips using their map. They sent love letters from the post office, learned from grocery store employees, and visited the fire station for safely education.

Teenie has clear expectations of parents and keeps cooperative enthusiasm high. She reminds parents to engage with kids through imaginative play and projects, rather than just cleaning and monitoring. Teenie’ genuine love and curiosity are endless.
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Welcome To Our Newest Members!

Welcome to PCPI! We look forward to getting to know you better.

Palo Alto, CA
Concord, California