December 15, 2023 Vol. 53, No.10 |
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
And the Winner is... | A Note from the President
Reminder: PCPI Dues | PCPI Grants | Grant Recipient Recap
Sponsor Profile: Resources for Parenting | FREE Virtual Session
Welcome, New Members!
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As we head toward a busy season of holiday celebrations, breaks from school, and time with family and friends, we also head toward a busy time for PCPI: Annual Meeting planning, award nominations, and selection of grant recipients (due today, don't forget!).
PCPI membership comes with many benefits including access to numerous publications, opportunities to network with other co-ops, an accident insurance program (US only), and access to virtual forums and training (you can learn about all that's included with your PCPI membership here). It's almost time to take advantage of some of the greatest benefits we have to offer: attendance at PCPI's Annual General Meeting and awards ceremony! You'll read more from our president below, but we want to make sure this is on your radar--and on your calendar--for this coming April!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!
Cooperatively yours,
Melissa Ranck
Editor, Cooperatively Speaking
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Last month we asked if you prefer Halloween candy or Thanksgiving sides. The winner was clear: Thanksgiving sides with an overwhelming 81% of the votes! As we look toward winter weather, we want to know what you're most anticipating!
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What do you love most about winter?
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Curling up under a warm blanket
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Traveling to a warmer climate
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Comfort food and holiday treats
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Spending holidays with family
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Reflecting on the year past
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Looking forward to a fresh new year
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A Note from the President
By Dianne Rose
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For many of us, the end of the year is a time to reflect. What has sparked change in your life over the last year? Where have you seen success? Is there a person or group of people you have come to know in your community for whom you are especially grateful?
Reflection naturally leads to planning next steps.
Over the next few months, you’re going to see announcements from PCPI about award nominations, travel grants, and attending our annual meeting. I urge you to take advantage of ALL of these opportunities to offer thanks to someone who has earned it - and that person might just be you. The actions are simple:
NOMINATE a teacher, a parent, a director, a friend of your co-op for an award.
REQUEST grant funds to make it possible for you and/or this person to
EXPERIENCE the PCPI Annual Meeting, and to
HONOR contributions to the cooperative movement, taking time to
CONNECT with people from co-ops throughout North America.
The experience of spending time with people who deeply value early childhood education, and who know the powerful impact that teachers and parents working as a team can have on young children, is a treasure. Be part of it.
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Save the date for PCPI's 2024 Annual General Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 18-21. And be on the lookout for the travel grant and awards applications mentioned above: coming soon!
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**Don't forget to submit your PCPI membership dues!**
A big thanks to those schools, councils, and individual members who have already renewed their membership for the 2024 calendar year. Dues must be paid in order to remain on the website directory and continue to receive PCPI benefits. Dues may be paid via check payable to PCPI, in US or Canadian dollars, mailed to:
PO Box 230327
Portland, OR 97281
Dues may also be paid electronically via the PCPI website. Canadian members can request a PayPal invoice to send dues in Canadian dollars. If you have questions or are unsure of your membership status, don't hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your continued partnership with PCPI!
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Today is the final day to submit grant applications! Determinations will be made by January 15, 2023. Learn more and apply here.
We can't wait to receive your applications!
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Need a little inspiration? We asked some of last year's recipients to share an update on projects funded by PCPI grants, and we're happy to share the results with you! |
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Cooperative Spirit Grant winner
The Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool (OCP) community in Decatur, Georgia, was awarded a 2023 Cooperative Spirit Grant to winterize their garden and extend their growing season. In early December, OCP parents participated in a workshop led by local permaculturalist Lauren Ladov to learn how to build and install low tunnels over their four large garden beds. They used low-cost and found materials to build the tunnels, which will protect winter crops like carrots, beets, onions, and cabbage from cold temperatures. Additionally, participants learned more about seed saving, a method that will both increase sustainability of the garden and be a cost-savings for the school. Lastly, participants harvested and dried lush herbs that were growing in abundance in one of the beds. The herbs will be used to make herb and bath salts, which will be sold as a fundraiser at the school's Winter Festival silent auction.
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This project increased parent involvement, not only in the green education of the students, but their own education of the natural world. With the shared goal of adding a seasonal element to the garden for current and future students and executing the task together outside in the school’s beloved garden, the workshop gave parents a stronger sense of community. They grew in their knowledge of caring for the gardens in a reciprocal relationship of giving.
- Julie Mesaric, Fundraising Chair
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Thank you to our recipients for sharing an update with us! Today is the last day to submit applications for several PCPI grants, and we can't wait to hear your creative ideas!
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Sponsor Profile: Resources for Parenting |
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Did you know that PCPI can only do some of the work we do within the co-op community because of generous sponsors? We've recently connected with a brand new sponsor, and we'd love to introduce you! |
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Resources for Parenting, PCPI's newest sponsor, is owned by Jennifer Watanabe, a long-time parent educator and parent coach. Jennifer offers tools that parents can use to make family life better.
Jennifer loves co-ops. She participated in co-op preschool with both of her sons, who are now 30 and 26 years old. She retired from Bellevue College in Washington state after 24 years of teaching parenting classes, including at some of the college’s sponsored cooperative preschools.
Jennifer teaches Positive Discipline classes as well as classes and workshops for parents who want to simplify their family and work life.
Interested in learning more? Head to the website to check out all that Resources for Parenting has to offer or reach out to Jennifer directly.
Thank you to Resources for Parenting for your support of PCPI! Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact PCPI to learn more!
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Becoming a Friend, Being a Friend
A FREE Virtual Session
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How can you support your child's friendship development?
What is your definition of a friend? What is your child's?
What is the difference between being a friend and being friendly?
How can you help your child manage conflict when things don't go as planned?
For some children it is easy to be a friend and to have a friend. For some children it is not so easy to do either.
In partnership with PCPI, Resources for Parenting is offering a FREE virtual session to address how a young child develops relationships with other children and how you can support your child and these new relationships.
Monday, January 8
7 pm EST or 7pm PST
This session will take place over Zoom with Q&A to follow
Registration required
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We want to offer a warm welcome to our newest members. We're glad you're here, and we look forward to getting to know you better! |
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Valley Pre-School
Granby, Connecticut
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Thinking about becoming a member of PCPI?
Click here to check out the many benefits PCPI has to offer!
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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!
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Click the button below to send an email to PCPINews@preschools.coop.
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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!
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Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact PCPI to learn more!
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