How We Do It
Our Mission
Cooperative Philosophy
For 23 years, Steele Cooperative Preschool has been committed to involving parents actively and directly in their children's earliest education. The cooperative approach gives children a sense of continuity between home and preschool, fosters friendships, creates a sense of community for students and parents, and keeps tuition costs down. One of the few such preschools still operating in the Denver metropolitan area, Steele was founded according to these principles:
- Cooperatives are voluntary and open to all people willing to accept the membership responsibilities.
- Cooperatives are democratic organizations; each member gets a vote in setting policy.
- Members invest equal amounts of money.
- Cooperatives are completely independent of school systems and other organizations.
- Cooperatives teach and train members, elected representatives, managers and employees.
- Cooperatives serve their members by working together through multi-level structures.
- Cooperatives work for sustainable development of communities.
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.
Fundraising
We rely on tuition and fundraising for the operation of the school, salaries for the teachers and director, and maintenance for the grounds and facilities. Every parent is essential in the success of our fundraising efforts throughout the year. Some of the events and fundraising opportunities organized by the Fundraising Committee are listed below:
Steele The Night Away
These regularly-held events are sponsored by area restaurants, who donate all or a portion of the night's proceeds to Steele Cooperative Preschool. They're a great opportunity to enjoy good food, support local businesses, and help the school meet its fundraising goals—all at the same time!
Steele-A-Deal
This annual spring event raffles off scores of great services, goods, art, and more—all during a great afternoon of food and fun at a local restaurant.
Community Involvement
This summer Steele was a sponsor at the 2009 Sunnyside Music Festival where students and other children created a Tree Art collage (picture to the left).