October 4, 2022 Vol. 52, No.8 |
|
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
And the Winner is... | A Note from the President
Advisor Spotlight: Meg Kennedy Shaw | PCPI Grants
PCPI Postcard Contest | Member Profile: Metzger Community Preschool
|
|
Schools are all in session by now, and we hope that the start of your year has been the best one yet! Fall has definitely arrived in many areas that are home to PCPI member schools, and with it those crisp mornings that may be a welcome change from hot summer temperatures. Fall also brings many cozy traditions that we hope you'll take a moment to enjoy.
While you're snuggled under a blanket some chilly morning, consider how PCPI might be able to support your school through grant funding this school year. The application window is now open, and you can learn more below or by going to PCPI's website.
October also means National Co-op Month, and below you'll find a reflection from PCPI's President, Dianne Rose. This month is a great opportunity to celebrate the unique benefits that come with being part of a cooperative community!
Cooperatively yours,
Melissa Ranck
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
pcpinews@preschools.coop
|
|
|
What is your favorite fall activity?
|
|
Going apple or pumpkin picking
|
|
|
|
|
Watching or playing a game of football
|
|
|
|
|
Collecting colorful fall leaves
|
|
|
|
|
Renting a cabin in the mountains
|
|
|
|
|
Planting bulbs in the garden for next spring
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last month we asked which iconic toy you consider to be the greatest of all time, and we had a clear winner: LEGO!
|
|
A Note from the President
by Dianne Rose
|
|
Did you know that October is National Co-Op Month? Time to celebrate your school and your members!
October is a great time to make sure that you let your broader community know that you are still there doing the important work of educating children and empowering families.
Honestly, I didn’t feel an instant connection to the theme the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) chose to celebrate during National Co-op Month: Co-ops build economic power.
After giving it some deep thought, I realized that...
- Cooperative preschools provide stability for children and for families, which is more important than ever after the last few years.
- Co-ops can offer affordable preschool and childcare options, which is so important in the current economic times.
- Co-ops give parents the chance to broaden their child-rearing skills and knowledge, which helps families become stronger, and that strength is radiated throughout the community.
- Co-ops are inclusive because they exist solely to serve the needs of their members, and that makes them a reflection of the community’s values.
By empowering people through stability, opportunity and inclusivity, co-ops DO build economic power.
Take a moment to be inspired by this video about co-ops!
|
|
Advisor Spotlight:
Meg Kennedy Shaw, Michigan
|
|
I’m an import from the UK and barely knew what a preschool was — let alone a cooperative — when our first child was four years old. A friend suggested I try it, and I was immediately convinced that the experience was without parallel. All three of our children graduated from Stone School Cooperative Nursery (now Preschool) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This preschool now has the distinction of being one of the few schools in North America that owns its own building — an early 20th century one-room schoolhouse.
I held several positions, including president, and then joined the board of the Michigan Council of Cooperative Nursery Schools, eventually assuming the presidency there. This led me to representing Michigan at PCPI meetings, which I found fascinating. I was Awards chair for seven years, then became president of PCPI in 1999. I now chair the Advisors committee, and work on special projects as needed.
For me and my husband, the co-op experience has been a source of interest, learning, joy and many true friendships.
|
|
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. |
|
PCPI Cooperative Spirit Grant Application
Parent involvement is the cornerstone of cooperative preschool communities. Apply for the PCPI Cooperative Spirit Grant to help build spaces that create a legacy for the future of your school, while strengthening bonds and encouraging community within your current membership. The guidelines are open – be creative!
The total grant amount for the Cooperative Spirit Grants is up to $1,500 to fund two or three programs. Each school may request from $100 to $1,000.
|
|
PCPI Co-op Support Grant Application
Formerly “Emergency Grant”
The Co-op Support Grant was created to provide financial assistance for co-ops that have a plan for long-term success to overcome unforeseen barriers. Application requests will be considered from established schools that have come upon financial challenges or from a newly forming school that needs an extra boost to get opened.
|
|
PCPI needs your help! We are hoping 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! |
|
Member Profile:
Metzger Community Preschool
|
|
Another host school during PCPI's Annual Meeting in Portland this spring, let's get to know the philosophies of Metzger Community Preschool
|
|
What is special about Metzger Community Preschool?
Metzger Community Preschool, like so many other co-op environments, is a warm and caring place for children to learn and grow. Our children see adults around them helping each other and forming friendships. Children soon learn that many adults care about their happiness, safety, and are always looking out for them. The Metzger Community Preschool community has a vested interest in the children and the school, and our alumni families are often wanting to know how they can help continue to support our school.
|
|
What are one or two events your school holds that are a highlight each year?
Every year our school holds a fall social event called Fruit Fest. It's a great time for families to come together after being in school for about a month to play and socialize on our playground. Families bring their child's favorite fruit to share with others. It's fun to see new friendships forming and other friendships continuing to grow. Often alumni students return with siblings and reconnect during this event too.
In December, we celebrate the light of the season during the dark and often very rainy Oregon days near the winter solstice. Children make waterproof lanterns in class and our school gathers on an evening before winter break to walk through a nearby neighborhood that is well known for having many lights. Our children carry their lanterns as we marvel at the beautiful displays and enjoy being with one another. It's a time to celebrate the time we've been together and the strides the children have taken in learning.
|
|
What else is unique about Metzger Community School?
Our preschool classrooms are inside a local church which runs a monthly food pantry. Our classes have a cereal drive in November and help stock the shelves of the pantry with cold cereal. It's been so heartwarming to see families continue to contribute to the food pantry and donate other items beyond our cereal drive. I feel we have a special relationship with the church in that we have no religious affiliation, but we are positively impacting their community with our presence in their space.
|
|
Many thanks to teacher Paula Robertson for introducing us to Metzger Community Preschool! |
|
|
|
Thank you to Jovial for your ongoing support of PCPI!
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
