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How is the
preschool connected to Green River Community College?
What does
this affiliation mean for the parent?
How often
will I have to work in the classroom?
What other costs are there?
Where are
the “academics” in the classroom?
What are the parent meetings for?
Where else can I become involved
in the school?
How is the preschool connected
to Green River Community College?
Green River Community College has been affiliated with several cooperative
preschools in the South King County area for over 30 years. The Parent Education
Coordinator at GRCC, Leslie Kessler, assigns parent education instructors to each
site. The instructors are contracted each quarter by the college. All GRCC instructors
have experience and knowledge in many areas including child development, developmentally
appropriate practice, quality learning environments, literacy and school readiness.
Each cooperative preschool also gets their liability insurance through being affiliated
with the community college. This makes insurance very affordable for each preschool.
The instructor staff provides on-going teacher training and training for the preschool
board members.
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What does this affiliation
mean for the parent?
A parent from each
family enrolled in a cooperative preschool is required to enroll at Green River
Community College as a student. As a GRCC student, you earn continuing education
credits and can take advantage of all amenities at the college, just like all other
students. Parent Education is considered a “tuition wavered/reduced tuition”
program and parents are only charged $11.00 per credit. This means if you are enrolled
as an Emerald or Ruby you will pay $11.00 each quarter. If you
enrolled as a Saphire you will pay $22.00 per quarter. Quarterly registration
will be explained in depth by your GRCC parent education instructor.
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How often will I have to
work in the classroom?
If you are enrolled
as an Emerald or Saphire you will work in the classroom on a
rotating basis. The frequency of you working in the classroom depends on the number
of children enrolled in your class. On average, you will work 2 - 3 times per month. There
will be a class scheduler who will make up a monthly work calendar and send it out
to all families in the class. You will be asked to give your input as to what days
of the week, etc. you are available to work in the classroom. Ruby parents will be
at the class every Wednesday, but will be in Parent Ed every other class.
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What other costs are there?
There will sometimes
be costs for field trips, although we usually try and keep those to a minimum. Each
family will be required to participate in fundraising events. Monies raised through
fundraising are crucial in the financial success of the school. You will also be
required to pay either $11.00 per quarter or $22.00 (subject to change) per quarter
in GRCC registration fees, as mentioned above.
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Where are the “academics”
in the classroom?
Preschool “academics”
are abound in the classroom environment. Children will develop an understanding
of early math, science, literacy and social studies concepts through meaningful
activities in the classroom. They are ensured a well rounded, nurturing environment
that promotes all areas of development. The Washington State Early Learning and
Development Benchmarks as well as the interests of the children will be used as
a basis for curriculum planning.
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What are the parent meetings
for?
Saphire and Emerald parent meetings are where class/school business is discussed.
In addition, the parent education instructor offers a parenting topic for discussion.
These meetings are required for the parents of Saphires and Emeralds.
Rubies have their parent discussions during their
regular class time. Most parents find these meetings very helpful and look forward
to getting a better understanding of their child's development and behaviors.
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Where else can I become involved
in the school?
All families will
be asked to help with the running of the preschool. Each cooperative preschool acts
as it’s own non-profit business and parent involvement in this process is
very important. Parents can serve on the “Board” as well as take an
all school or class job.
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Parents Comments
“I enjoyed being involved. I like to know the teacher, kids and parents.”
“The school and the teacher were a great preschool experience for us. My son
loved it!”
My experience made it easy to transition to elementary school since “I already
had experience working in the classroom.”
“As a parent who helped, I felt comfortable volunteering to handle a variety
of jobs at the elementary school.”
My experiences helped me “understand children better they children have always
gravitated toward me because I am comfortable.”
The parent education “taught me a lot about myself and my children.”
“I learned to be an advocate for my kids as well as being able to relate to
other students and communicate well with the teachers. I have established close
working relationships with the teachers. Being on the board was beneficial also.”