What is a Co-Op

In a cooperative school, parents take on many roles, including that of a teacher. Enrolling your child in a cooperative school increases your appreciation and understanding of your child and makes their first school experience positive.

School Administration

In addition to providing classroom support, member families are vital to the administration and operation of the school. Families participate by being on a committee such as; Curriculum, Fundraising, Health & Safety, Hospitality, Housekeeping, Marketing, Participation, and as Board members. Committee assignments are determined by what is the best fit for the family and school. Each family contributes in their own way to build our community.

Parents in the Classroom

Parents participate as assistant teachers in the classroom by:

• Assisting the teacher in the execution of the plans for the school day
• Helping prepare for upcoming class activities
• Maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the school grounds
• Interacting with the students during free play times & learning activities

Working with Our Teachers

The educational program is the responsibility of our experienced teachers. Chosen by the school’s Board, the teachers work to provide the best possible educational experience for each student.

The teacher suggests how working parents can be effective on their participation day in the classroom, and helps the parents understand their own student’s learning style during their shared school experience.

A collaborative teacher and parent program builds an enriching first school experience.

Classroom Volunteering

Your primary responsibility as a member of a cooperative preschool is to serve as a teacher’s aide in your child’s class. We have a Bylaws, a handbook and a guide for classroom volunteers that each member can review that outlines specific responsibilities and duties.

Monthly Clean-up

In addition to daily housekeeping duties, member families deep clean the entire classroom one monthly during the school year. Each member family is expected to participate in two deep cleans a year.  The deep cleans are scheduled when school isn’t in session.

Fundraising

The purpose of fundraising is to assist the school in providing funds necessary for the purchase, or replacement of major items of equipment, such as tables and chairs, playground equipment, upgrading tools, as well as hosting events for students and their families. Additionally, fundraising is a part of maintaining our non-profit status.

Fundraising is not for the purpose of keeping tuition low. Tuition covers the operating expenses of our school. Each member family must assist in fundraising activities as designated by the Board and Fundraising Chair. Each family is required to participate in fundraising throughout the school year, or chose to pay an “Opt-Out” fee at the beginning of the year.

Events

The Events Committee arranges various gatherings throughout the year. Member families may be asked to contribute food and drink at school parties, or picnics planned for the school; while most families decide to donate their resources, all purchases made for a school activity can be reimbursed.

Committees

Each member is required to serve the school either on a committee or as a board member of the school. These committees are: Curriculum, Field Trip, Fundraising, Health & Safety, Hospitality, Housekeeping, Equipment, Communications/Marketing, Participation.

Field Trips

Each family is obligated to provide or arrange transportation for their child to and from field trips, if attending. Each class will go on 3 Field Trips per school year to various locations including, but not limited to, a pumpkin patch, a farm, a play and/or a science center.

• All children must be toilet trained.
• Preschool class- the child must be three-years-old by September 1st of that year.
• Pre-Kindergarten class- the child must be four years old by September 1st of that year.
  • In the event the teacher and/or parent feels that the age-appropriate class is not suitable for a particular child, the president, teacher, and parent(s) shall meet to discuss that student’s needs to determine the best placement.
• The Maryland State health forms for the student must be completed and returned to the Health & Safety Chairperson prior to the start of the school year.

For Parents Volunteering in the Classroom

• Complete the required medical forms from the State of Maryland.
• Submit to a criminal background check every two years including fingerprinting every five years. This will be a Maryland and Federal FBI check completed through the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) in compliance with Maryland COMAR which satisfies the state requirement for the childcare worker.
• Must be up-to-date on CPR and First Aid Certifications.