June 30, 2022 Vol. 52, No.6
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Advisor Spotlight: Vaughn Hatch | Universal Pre-K: Threat or Opportunity?
Lynn Valley PPP Puts Grant Funds to Work
Member Profile: Woodhaven School
We've all heard the African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child," and those who have experienced the cooperative school community know this to be very true! Some of my favorite memories from my children's preschool years are lazy summer days of creek stomping with co-op friends, counting on each other to point out something unique in nature or to keep watch as our little ones explore a new environment. While we each enjoy the different rhythms that accompany summer, we hope you've had many opportunities to stay connected with your community.

"It takes a village" to run PCPI as well! Did you know that in addition to a board of directors and committee chairs, there is a group of dedicated individuals serving as advisors to PCPI in a variety of capacities? Be on the lookout as we highlight these long-standing champions of the cooperative movement in the next few issues of Cooperatively Speaking: Anne Eddowes, Natalie Hall, Vaughn Hatch, Linda Henegar, and Meg Kennedy Shaw. We hope these women will inspire you to pour your heart into something that is deeply important to you too--and maybe that is co-op!

Continue to soak up the sunshine as we move through these summer months, and however you may be spending your time, we hope it is life-giving for you!

Cooperatively yours,

Melissa Ranck
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
pcpinews@preschools.coop
Advisor Spotlight:
Vaughn Hatch, British Columbia
We saw our two children through South Burnaby Parent Participation Preschool (British Columbia, Canada) in the early 1970s. Yes, they are in their 50s now! I was president of the preschool in their last year. I was hired by the Council of Parent Participation Preschools, first as a coordinator for their 60+ schools and then eventually became the Executive Director. Meanwhile, I happily began going to PCPI meetings and taking part in various ways. I was secretary for a couple of years and am currently chair of the Katharine Whiteside Taylor committee, a member of the Advisors committee and assist Natalie Hall with the Marika Townsend Travel Grants. It's been great travel experience going to many locations in the States and Canada, and even England, to see various preschools and to get new and fabulous ideas. The camaraderie is second to none!
PCPI is so thankful for each of our advisors who have dedicated their time and hearts to the cooperative community for so many years. Luckily, there is a mutual benefit--the richness co-op has added to their lives can't be measured!
How long has co-op played an influential part in your life?
I'm brand new to co-op and can't wait to learn more!
1-5 years
6-10 years
10-15 years
15-25 years
26+ years
Universal Pre-K: Threat or Opportunity?
By Dianne Rose
Any of us involved in early childhood education knows that when they attend high quality programs as three- and four-year-olds, children gain real-life skills that make a difference in their lives long-term. So the idea of universal pre-K seems like it would have universal appeal and support. But for those involved in cooperative preschools, the idea of publicly funded preschool programs can feel like a threat.
 
Child care co-ops often don’t look like the full-day, year-round, academically focused ECE programs described in the universal pre-K sales pitches. The question looms large: how will co-ops continue to exist if funding from the federal government that is intended to make high-quality programs more accessible for families comes tied to regulations that could fundamentally change the way co-op preschools operate?
 
As with any large initiative, the success (or lack thereof) will be in the details. The federal governments in the US and in Canada have both professed support for advancing child care through national programs, but neither has found the answer to how best to balance a national system with the differing legislation, regulations, and financial arrangements found in each individual state, province, and/or territory. At the moment, the majority of programs across the US and Canada are still funded by parent fees. Some program subsidies come through federal block grants, but the way funds are distributed is largely at the discretion of each local jurisdiction. Financial support for preschools varies wildly among states and provinces.

When it comes right down to it, parents are still paying out of pocket for preschool, and they want to have a choice that works for their child and their family. Co-ops need to continue to be one of their options. To make sure preschool co-ops continue to thrive, we have established the PCPI Legislative Committee to examine legislative, regulatory, and funding initiatives at the state/province and national levels that may impact cooperatives, and to develop policies and strategies to ensure that co-ops continue to be a viable choice for families.
Interested in Learning More?

PCPI is keeping a close eye on this topic. Here are a few resources you might find helpful:
We’d love to include you in our legislative work and are especially interested in making sure that each state/province in which our members live has representation on the committee. To find out more, contact Legislative Committee Chair Natalie Hall.
Lynn Valley PPP Puts Grant Funds to Work
Big things are happening around Lynn Valley Parent Participation Preschool in North Vancouver, British Colombia. During the 2021-2022 school year, LVPPP received not one but two grants from PCPI to support some exciting enhancements to their school!
LVPPP’s Teachers and Parent Education Coordinators utilized funds received from the Katharine Whiteside Taylor Grant to purchase 12 new titles for their parent library. In response to receiving these funds, they shared, "Our membership was particularly excited to receive the We Thinkers! Series, which is a great tool for children and parents to explore together and focuses on social/emotional learning.”
Also a recipient of Cooperative Spirit Grant funding, LVPPP was able to construct a new covered play area with the goal of reclaiming an unused section of their outdoor space. The entire community came together to see this vision through, attending a spring work party in the beautiful sunshine. “The funds from PCPI awarded to us via the Cooperative Spirit Grant were so appreciated by everyone at the preschool, especially during this time when building supplies are more expensive.”

Applications for several PCPI grants will be accepted beginning in September, so start dreaming with your school communities now about how we might be able to support your efforts!
Member Profile: Woodhaven School
A host school during PCPI's Annual Meeting in Portland this spring, we discovered a gem that we couldn't wait to share with you in Woodhaven School. Read on to learn about what makes this community special!
What sets Woodhaven apart from other preschool environments?

Woodhaven is one of very few Waldorf inspired cooperative preschools in the United States. We are also a nature-based program, located on a 3-acre fir tree forest property, just outside of Portland, OR. We spend over 85% of our school time outdoors in the elements, regardless of the weather! We designate about 50% of our day to uninterrupted free play. We believe that allowing our children to connect with each other, nature and the seasons, helps to nurture a sense of wonder as well as grow resiliency. Our lead teacher, Ms. Nicole continues her studies in Waldorf and eco education, which benefits our entire community tremendously. Our students and member families leave Woodhaven with a heightened passion for learning, community, environmental awareness and stewardship.
What are one or two events your school holds that are a highlight each year?

At Woodhaven we have many different community events, honoring the seasons of nature and life. Our celebrations are a very important extension of our curriculum, as we recognize the value for our children to share what they are learning during class time and reflect that back in the form of these greater community events. For example, at our annual Lantern Walk, which commemorates the coming of winter, our children spend several days making lanterns and learning songs that inspire us to remember our humanity, light and warmth within, even as the darker and colder days of winter are ahead. All of our families then gather in the forest at night, holding our handmade lanterns and walking in procession together, as we sing the lantern songs. It is a sort of walking meditation. You can listen to the songs here.
What specific steps has Woodhaven taken that promote your stance for anti-racism education?
 
We have elected a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair to our executive school board to help ensure that we are living up to our stance for anti-racism in education. They consult with our board of trustees and provide resources and guidance to adjust curriculum, school policies, practices and traditions from the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair also serves to pro-actively foster an inclusive and equitable environment in which diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued within Woodhaven School for all staff, students and member families. We relentlessly question and challenge the status quo. We support our teachers and staff in developing more inclusive practices and work with families in the Woodhaven community to get to know their cultural practices and how to share those practices with our broader community.
How do the Waldorf philosophy and cooperative education compliment one another?

Waldorf and cooperative education compliment each other quite well because both have regard for instilling a lifelong love of learning together, meeting individuals where they are, and promoting stewardship and humanitarianism. Our family-like cooperative community and consistent daily rhythm provide a safe haven for our children and families to truly thrive. We are so grateful for the comfort and confidence our unique school offers especially during such unpredictable times of our current world.
“Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love and set them forth in freedom.” Rudolf Steiner
Many thanks to Kelli Barnett-Patterson for giving us with a glimpse into the many special aspects of Woodhaven school.
Join Our Google Group
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!
  1. Click the button below to send an email to PCPINews@preschools.coop.
  2. Use the subject line: Add to Google Group.
  3. 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!