Parent Involvement
A foundation of a cooperative school is parent participation. While parents are encouraged to become involved as much as they wish to in Steele Cooperative Preschool, certain responsibilities are required to ensure the preschool’s smooth operation. These requirements include classroom aiding, participation on a committee, active involvement in fundraising events and activities, and attendance at parent meetings.
Aiding and Administration
Aiding
Parents aid in the classroom approximately once per month. This is a wonderful opportunity to be directly involved in your child’s education. As the aide, the parent assists the teacher with classroom activities, brings snack for the students, and lightly cleans the classrooms after class. At least one member of a family must aide, and all aides participate in Abuse Awareness Training prior to aiding in the classroom.
Administration
A parent board that is elected from the membership of the cooperative manages the operation of Steele. Each family serves on the board or one of seven committees: building and grounds, enrollment, programs, outreach, cleaning, parent involvement, and fundraising. As committee members, parents are expected to attend committee meetings and help the committee meet its goals and objectives. Through their participation in the school and on committees, the parents are inherently responsible for the school’s direction.
Parent Fundraising
As a parent-directed cooperative preschool with maintenance of affordable tuition as one of its goals, Steele requires its member families to participate actively in its fundraising events and activities. Our primary fundraiser is a spring entertainment and raffle event at a local restaurant. We also provide several smaller fundraising opportunities throughout the school year.
Monthly Meetings
To keep you informed and to give you opportunity to participate in the school’s operations, we hold parent meetings monthly throughout the school year. At least one representative from each family must attend.