Co-op: Parent Commitment

co·op·er·a·tive adj.

1. Done in cooperation with others: a cooperative effort.
2. Marked by willingness to cooperate; compliant: a cooperative patient.
3. Of, relating to, or formed as an enterprise or organization jointly owned or managed by those who use its facilities or services: cooperative apartment buildings, a cooperative preschool.

The Children's Schoolhouse is a parent cooperative preschool. Each parent has a voice in its educational policy and all aspects of the school's operation. Schoolhouse parents are welcome in the classroom to help in the daily activities or share any special talent, interest, hobby or skills with the children. In return, the Schoolhouse must have the commitment of time and energy on the part of all parents.

A team system has been designed to distribute the necessary duties that run, maintain, enrich, educate, and support the Schoolhouse and its families. As a member of the co-op, you can expect to work an average of 10-15 hours per month, on the team of your choosing, on behalf of your child and the Schoolhouse. (This figure is derived from the position of Parent Volunteer, a position which requires a commitment of 3.5 hours per week, 3-4 weeks each month, 9 months of the year for a rough total of 100 hours per year.)

While some teams have a "heavy" period (i.e.: the Fundraising Team is most busy from June through October), all require a year-long commitment, from June 1 to May 31. Each team will have tasks to complete and goals to work toward throughout the year. Each family shall sign on as a member of a team and will have a specific job as a member of that team. Within the team, the heading board member, as well as the team members, will decide how best to accomplish the tasks and goals of their team. Team leaders will keep a rough estimate of the time given by each family on their team. In this way, in the event of an overload or underload in any one area, team members from one team may give hours to another team in an effort to evenly distribute the workload. Each team is essential to the smooth and safe operation of the Schoolhouse.

In addition to each family's team participation, all families are required to take part in a number of activities that are for the good of the entire co-op. Included are:

• Participation in the annual Schoolhouse Carnival, held in the fall. This includes selling raffle tickets, providing baked goods for sale, providing a pre-made craft for sale or participating in Craft Night (no talent or experience required) and working on the day of the fair manning a booth/game and helping with set-up or breakdown.
• Participation in other fundraising efforts as determined by the fundraising committee throughout the school year.
• Participation in two Saturday work/clean-up days, one in the fall and one in the spring.
• Providing healthy snacks for the children for one complete week, regardless of the number of days your child attends.

Attendance at the General Meeting at the start of the school year and at Dessert Night a few weeks into the start of school. These two meetings give parents an opportunity to get acquainted with the Schoolhouse and the goals for the year to come. There are plenty of other ways to be involved with the co-op and we want everyone to consider the following suggestions for involvement beyond the mandatory ones above:

• Helping with special events and parties (such as the annual Thanksgiving Feast) by donating food and helping with set-up and breakdown.
• Carpool children for 2-6 field trips per year. Typically 2 all-school events are planned per year. In addition, pre-K students can participate in 1-2 monthly field trips designed to introduce them to the community at large and support the themes established by the teaching staff at the beginning of the school year.
• Participate in special activities in the classroom (such as cooking, gardening, woodworking, sports and cultural traditions) throughout the year dependent on your interests and talents.
• Substitute in the classroom, if your schedule permits, on the occasional days when teachers or Parent Volunteers must be out.
• Become involved with community service projects as determined by the Community Liaison.

Revised March 13, 2001

The Children's Schoolhouse Board of Directors

Being a member of the CSH Board of Directors is a rewarding but demanding position. Although workloads will vary from position to position throughout the year, Board members typically spend 20+ hours per month on Schoolhouse activities. Positions on the Board require serious commitment beginning in June and ending in May. All Board members are required to attend monthly board meetings, fulfill the requirements of their position, provide team leadership and support to their team members and fill in wherever needed whenever possible in matters that are for the good of the Schoolhouse and the co-op.

The Board, as a group, will approve CSH calendar for the year, following the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school calendar and taking into consideration teacher workdays, holidays, and the planned calendars that the CSH teachers and Classroom Support Chairperson have created. The Board is also responsible for long-range planning, hiring of teachers, and establishment/approval of formal policies regarding the co-op.