Cooperative preschools are able to provide quality preschool programming at a reduced cost because of parent participation in the cooperative. As caregivers, we are the administrators, policy makers, and classroom assistants in the program. This allows us to be involved in the shaping and support of our children’s preschool experience. Consequently, a cooperative preschool requires more involvement and time from families than other preschool alternatives. Below is a list of requirements of family involvement.
Parent Helping
We maintain our excellent child to adult ratio and high quality program through parent helping. While you help in the classroom, you get an opportunity to observe your child’s learning progress and interaction with peers and other adults.
Parent helpers assist the teacher with activities, bring snacks, and clean up at the end of class. Depending on which class your child attends (two-day or three-day), parent helping averages about two to four times each month.
Parents (as well as grandparents, caregivers and other people important to your child) are always welcome in the classroom. Further, parents are warmly encouraged to contribute their talents and ideas to the classroom.
Parent Jobs
Each family has a Parent Job throughout the year. This could range from keeping a closet clean to organizing parties for special occasions. Our Job Coordinator makes a special effort to pair families with jobs that best complement their interests and skills.
Parent Education
The parents gather three to five times a year for meetings that are usually a combination of business, socializing, and parent education (such as speakers or discussion). Childcare is provided in the classroom.
Fundraising
We love our community and we rely on all of you for support. There are lots of ways that you can get involved and support us year round so that we can continue to provide an affordable, high quality pre-school experience to North Portland children.
Do you ever shop online at Amazon? Now you can support Cathedral Park Preschool with every purchase you make online at Amazon by signing up for Amazon Smile. Just make sure to always start your shopping by visiting the page for Cathedral Park Preschool.
If you shop at Fred Meyer, you can support us every time you use your Fred Meyer Rewards card without losing any of your existing rewards points. The Fred Meyer Community Rewards program bases their donation on the number of people who have signed up and how much they shop.
Looking for other ways to get involved? You can support any of our monthly fundraisers during the school year. Like us on Facebook or follow our blog for information about our Auction and other fundraising events.
Donations
To make a donation to the school or for more information about our fundraisers, please contact our Fundraising Coordinator.
Phone: (503) 283-2714 (leave a message, please)