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February 24, 2023 Vol. 53, No.2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
LAST CHANCE: Travel Grant and PCPI Awards Applications
And the Winner is... | 2023 Annual Meeting Details
Upcoming PCPI Virtual Forum
Member Profile: Field Station Cooperative Preschool
Welcome, New Member!
Deadlines are fast approaching for two opportunities that you won't want to miss!

  • Don't forget to submit your application for the Marika Townshend Travel Grant! This grant can help with costs to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting in Reston, Virginia, May 4th through 7th. Grant applications must be received on or by Wednesday, March 1, 2023, and must be SUBMITTED by the deadline in order to be considered. Click here to complete the Marika Townshend Travel Grant application. Questions? Reach out to travelgrants@preschools.coop.

  • Give a huge thanks to someone who has gone above and beyond! Whether a beloved teacher, enthusiastic family volunteer, or helpful administrator or board member, consider how a PCPI award might recognize outstanding service and commitment to the co-op community. The award application can be completed here and must be submitted by Wednesday, March 1, 2023. If you’re interested in making a nomination and have questions, please contact the Awards Chair at pcpi.awards@preschools.coop.

Don't wait until it's too late to take advantage of these two opportunities!

Cooperatively yours,

Melissa Ranck
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
And the Winner is...
Last month we asked about your favorite way to spend a snow day, and the majority of us love to curl up with a good book, followed closely by doing a puzzle. Two perfect cold weather activities!

Thinking ahead to travel to Virginia in May for our Annual Meeting, we're curious: What is your favorite type of vacation?
What is your favorite place to travel?
The beach for some swimming or sunbathing
The mountains for some skiing
A lake or river for relaxing or boating
A cabin in the woods
Out of the country for an adventure
To visit a historical site
2023 Annual Meeting Details
Get ready! It’s time to start planning your trip to Reston, Virginia for PCPI’s 2023 Annual Meeting. We promise you’ll have a great time. You will learn so much, have a chance to ask questions, and help guide and support PCPI.

Please join us Thursday, May 4 through Sunday, May 7 for meetings, school visits, the Awards Luncheon, and informal time to network and chat about co-op preschools.
What do you need to do to get to the meeting?


  • For those not local, make hotel and transportation reservations.

  • You will need to register for the meeting. Registration link coming soon!

  • Additional details coming soon! Don't hesitate to reach out with questions.

We can't wait to see you!
Upcoming PCPI Virtual Forum
Using Social Media to Boost Enrollment
Monday, March 20, 2023
4 pm PST/7 pm EST
PCPI is hosting a member forum with social media consultant and co-op parent Danyelle Disbrow as our special guest. When it comes to advertising, social media is the new “word of mouth.” Danyelle will offer tips for using social media to tell the community about the great things happening in your school. We'll also engage in some discussion about how to make co-op appeal to a growing number of working families.
Register in advance for this meeting:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This forum is open to all, whether you are a member of PCPI or not. Join us!
Member Profile:
The Field Station Cooperative Preschool
It's no secret or surprise that nature-based schools are growing in popularity! This month we want to highlight a school that fully embraces the concept of outdoor education: Field Station Cooperative Preschool located in Porter, IN. Read on to learn about this unique place!
What is special about the Field Station Cooperative Preschool?

The Field Station is comprised of a historic rehabbed barn and farmhouse nestled within the Indiana Dunes National Park. Through a special partnership with the National Park Service, we are able to use the buildings and take advantage of the special location in exchange for the original rehabbing of the buildings and the ongoing upkeep. We are surrounded by woods with amazing trails, the Little Calumet River, the Mnoke Prairie (a wetland), and a whole new world to explore. Our curriculum is focused on nature study. We are able to use the outside as our extended classroom. When you add our special location to our nature-based curriculum and then put on top of it that we are a parent cooperative, it makes the Field Station like no other place! Because we are responsible for the upkeep of two historic structures, and have 80 students enrolled, it is imperative that we have a well-functioning cooperative. Students and parents love the Field Station!
What are one or two events your school holds that are a highlight each year?

Each fall, the Field Station hosts a night hike during which students and their families come and explore our trails in the dark! We have special surprises set up on the trails for the students to discover. The students love this, and when you talk to them years down the road, many remember the night hike as one of their fondest memories. We also do a program in the lawn of the Field Station each spring. The students sing songs, dance and put on a little play for our families. It is not a typical preschool program!

We also hold three large fundraisers each year:
  • We have a 5K run/walk, which also includes a tot-trot and fun-run for the kids.
  • The Frog Find is held each spring. Families hunt for artificial frogs that are hidden along the trails. Cash prizes are given to those that find the frogs. At this event we also have a salamander hunt for the young kids, food trucks, face painting and other activities.
  • To cap off our year, we have an adults-only event called the Sunset Soiree. We have live music, a silent auction, and great food and drinks. The highlight of the auction is students' artwork that is framed and beautiful. 
What else is unique about the Field Station Cooperative Preschool?

We are full with 80 students and a waiting list every year. We have people drive to our school from an hour away. When we have our registration, after current students and alumni families are enrolled, the remaining spots are given on first-come, first-serve basis. This year we had people lined up at 4:00 the afternoon before our registration that was held at 8:00 the next morning!

The Field Station Cooperative Preschool is clearly a special place! A huge thanks to Director Laurie Metz for sharing your school with us this month.
Is there something special about your school community that you just can't help but share? Interested in being highlighted in Cooperatively Speaking? Reach out and tell us more!
Welcome, New Member!





We want to offer a warm welcome to our newest member. We're glad you're here and we look forward to getting to know you better!
PCPI Sponsor Shout-Out


Thank you to Jovial for your ongoing support of PCPI!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact PCPI to learn more!
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!