October 28, 2022 Vol. 52, No.9 |
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
And the Winner is... | In Memory of Dr. Anne Eddowes
PCPI Meet-Up | Save the Date!
PCPI Grants | PCPI Postcard Contest
Member Profile: Parent Child Preschools Organization
Teacher Education Opportunity | Become a PCPI Sponsor
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As National Co-op Month comes to a close, we hope October has been a time for your school community to reflect on the benefits of cooperative learning and the connections built between children, parents, and teachers.
Fortunately, we're not the only ones who see the benefit of this type of cooperation! In September, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution supporting the designation of October as National Co-op Month: "a chance to lift up cooperatives as a trusted, democratic, time-tested business model."
We encourage you to celebrate National Co-op Month with your community by applying for one of PCPI's many grants. These funds were established to support co-ops across the U.S. and Canada, and we can't wait to see how you plan to use them! The application window is now open, and you can learn more below or by going to PCPI's website.
Cooperatively yours,
Melissa Ranck
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
pcpinews@preschools.coop
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Last month we asked about your favorite fall activity, and it was too close to call! We are most likely to find you going for a hike or going apple or pumpkin picking.
It's not too late to enjoy one of these fall must-do's!
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Now let's talk about fall flavors! Which is your favorite?
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In Memory of Dr. Anne Eddowes
November 23, 1931-September 15, 2022
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We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Dr. Anne Eddowes, long-time friend to PCPI and supporter of the parent cooperative movement. Thank you to PCPI Advisor Meg Kennedy Shaw for sharing this lovely tribute to Anne and her contributions to early education:
A native of Ohio, Anne spent many decades involved in the education of young children as well as their parents. Her resumé is extensive and impressive: a BS from Ohio State University, a Master of Education from the University of Missouri, and a PhD from Arizona State University in 1977. Her career was correspondingly remarkable. She began as a teacher in the Sandusky, Ohio, public schools, progressed through the directorship of a Missouri cooperative nursery school, developing a childcare program at a community college, becoming a coordinator of student teaching at Arizona State University, to associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was also a validator for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, assessing early childhood programs to determine whether they met accreditation standards.
Anne’s scholarly accomplishments include the authorship of many research
articles, a textbook, and several books published by various early childhood
associations. She worked tirelessly to conceive and edit a book published by PCPI in 2007 entitled Sharing Among Us: Parents, Teachers, and Children Communicate. Her commitment to this project and her efforts to see it brought to a conclusion were hugely appreciated by PCPI.
Anne’s involvement with PCPI and parenting programs originated when she first became a member in the mid-1960’s, soon after PCPI began as the American Council of Parent Cooperatives. In 1970, she took a group of cooperative preschool teachers to the PCPI conference in Washington DC and subsequently attended others. For a number of years, she edited the book review column in Cooperatively Speaking and has also been an extremely generous financial supporter of PCPI. Anne most recently served PCPI as an Advisor and also received PCPI’s highest accolade in 2019, an Honorary Life Membership.
Anne’s unwavering commitment to parent education and parent involvement was reflected in her teaching parent-infant and parent-toddler classes from the 1970s onwards, both at parent cooperative preschools and also in university settings, at Arizona State University and at the University of Alabama at Birmingham – all while she and her husband raised two sons of their own.
PCPI has been fortunate to have Anne’s loyalty and invaluable contributions as well as the benefit of her advice and vast experience. We owe Anne a huge debt of gratitude, and she will be very much missed!
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PCPI Meet-Up at NAEYC Conference |
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PCPI is hosting a gathering for co-op directors, teachers, and staff during the NAEYC conference in Washington DC. Following the keynote address, we’ll meet in the Lobby Bar area of the Marriott Marquis Washington DC, which is connected to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Please join us for snacks and socializing starting at 5:00 pm Wednesday, November 16th. When you enter the Lobby Bar area, look for PCPI signage.
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PCPI Annual Meeting - Save the Date! |
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The news you have all been waiting for is here! Mark your calendar for May 4-7 and plan to attend PCPI's 2023 Annual General Meeting. This year's meeting will be held in Northern Virginia. More details to come, and we hope to see you there! |
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2023 Member Benefits include the opportunity to apply for various PCPI Grants. Check out the details soon! All Grant application requests must be submitted by December 15, 2022, with determinations made for recipients by January 15, 2023. |
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Parent education is at the foundation of cooperative education. To help fund parent education projects, PCPI members in U.S. based schools and councils can apply for a mini-grant from the Becky Allen Fund. Canadian members may apply for the Katharine Whiteside Taylor Grant to support a parent education program in the spring of 2023.
Over the years, many cooperative preschools have benefited from a range of parent education programs supported by these grants. Topics have included various aspects of child development such as the social/emotional and dealing with challenging behaviors, speech and language, techniques to support play-based learning, nutrition, and more. Schools have invited a variety of speakers including a psychologist, college teacher, occupational therapist, authors, as well as their own expert staff to provide these programs. Last year’s Becky Allen Fund was awarded to Parkview Cooperative Preschool in Indianapolis to fund a diversity library.
Your school could be the next recipient of funds to support a parent education program that is just right for your school! The total grant amount is $500 to fund programs in one or more schools. PCPI member schools are invited to submit grant requests using the following links:
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Last call! PCPI needs your help to design a postcard that reflects our values as cooperative, play-based communities, and we'd love to see your creative ideas! Design ideas for a 4x6 card can be submitted here by October 31, and the PCPI Board will choose a winner! |
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Member Profile:
Parent Child Preschools Organization
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National Co-op Month is the perfect time to highlight another aspect of cooperative membership: local councils! Did you know that co-ops often make connections with others in their area by joining together within a council? Read on to learn about Parent Child Preschools Organization (PCPO), a network of cooperative preschools in the Pacific Northwest.
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When was PCPO established?
PCPO was started in 1956 by eight cooperative preschools in the Portland, Oregon area to promote the sharing of information and support the creation of new co-ops.
What are the benefits of having an area council?
Our area council currently supports 50 cooperative preschools in Oregon and Washington. As part of our network, member schools have opportunities to meet and share ideas, building support for everything from strengthening school policies, to compliance with state regulations - even how to adapt to a global pandemic! Our council provides training opportunities for board officers, professional development opportunities for teachers, and family education workshops for our schools’ memberships.
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How is PCPO structured?
PCPO is governed by our volunteer board of directors, which is predominantly filled by current and alumni parents and teachers from our member schools. We have three part time staff that run the day-to-day operations. Our board of directors support the efforts of our staff, and vice versa.
How does PCPO support co-op schools, families, and teachers?
PCPO supports our members by offering training and networking opportunities for volunteer board officers through our annual New Officer’s Workshop and General Meetings. We compile a teacher contract negotiation packet each year and host a meeting for presidents, treasurers, and teachers to discuss best practices for contract processes and compensation packages. PCPO believes strongly that our schools thrive when connected to others and work to build support networks at all levels of our preschool’s administrations.
As a council, one of our most rewarding member benefits is providing individualized support to our member schools. All organizations can come upon challenging times, which can be even more difficult to navigate in volunteer-run organizations. PCPO board and staff are available to our schools by phone, video call, and in person (when possible). We can serve as sounding boards and mediators, and work with our schools to create strong conflict resolution practices within their school.
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What upcoming special events will PCPO be sponsoring?
PCPO is piloting professional development for preschool teachers this year. We will have three virtual events this year and all teachers are welcome to attend (see below for details)!
PCPO is also planning to have a public city-wide Day of Play event on April 15th. This event will include entertainment, kids activities, and family friendly vendors. The event will celebrate co-ops, showcase our member schools, and promote the magic of play-based learning!
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What else is on the horizon for PCPO?
This year PCPO is piloting a Community Partner Affiliate Program. For $400/year your school can have access to our free virtual family education, discounted virtual professional development, and access to our extensive resource library. You can also join PCPO as an individual for $40/year and receive these same benefits. If you are interested in learning more, please email pcpo@pcpo.info.
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Many thanks to PCPO staff and board members for offering a glimpse into the benefits that come with being a part of a cooperative council! |
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Teacher Education Opportunity |
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Parent Child Preschools Organization is pleased to offer a three-workshop virtual professional development series curated for preschool teachers and beyond. |
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Motor Matters (11/16, 7 pm PST)
This workshop will cover current research on sensory development, what to watch for, and provide examples of activities that you can do in the classroom to help with sensory development. Information on how to find additional support will also be provided.
Healthy Bodies (1/25, 7 pm PST)
This panel presentation will cover gardening and nutrition resources for teachers, ways to incorporate mindfulness and movement in the classroom as well as the importance of providing opportunities for risky play.
Equity and Empathy (2/23, 7 pm PST)
Teachers are the anchors of culture for a school and often they operate in silos. This workshop will help bridge the gap between the work teachers do within their classrooms and the overall culture of the school so that everyone feels supported, empowered and inspirited.
Cost
$25/workshop and $65 for all three workshops.
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National Co-op Month is a great time to think about how you can support PCPI! Interested in becoming a sponsor? Benefits include:
- Receive regular issues throughout the year of our electronic PCPI newsletter, Cooperatively Speaking
- Invitation to the PCPI Annual meeting luncheon with an opportunity to address attendees
- Opportunity to distribute marketing collateral at the PCPI Annual Meeting
- Recognition on PCPI's website and social media platforms
- Business profile published in Cooperatively Speaking with an opportunity to provide member discounts
- Inclusion in press releases and event programs
- Recognition by event speakers during the PCPI Annual Meeting
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact us to learn more!
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Thank you to Jovial for your ongoing support of PCPI!
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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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