The
Co-op is not only a wonderful environment in which children can grow and develop,
it also offers members a unique opportunity to work cooperatively and creatively
with other parents and to build lasting friendships for both parent and child.
As a Co-op member, you are directly involved in the decision-making process affecting your child's education. Our free lending library of videos, books and cassettes is an invaluable resource to help with your parenting questions and concerns.
In order to provide a quality, affordable program and to keep our affiliation with the St. Helena School District, we must adhere to certain State mandated guidelines. The responsibilities outlined below are required. We feel the benefits far outweigh the time required.
Full/Regular Participation: A parent with a child enrolled in our regular participation program will have the following responsibilities:
*Not Required for the Toddler Program - See Below
Participation with Siblings (3, 4 and 5 year-old classes)
When a family has two or more children in any of the 3, 4 and 5 year-old
classes, the only participation requirement that increases is the classroom
working days (please see page 23 for details). All other responsibilities
(Fundraiser participation, General Meetings, Adult Education, Work Parties,
Orientation and Parent Jobs) are per family, not per child. If you have
three children in the 3, 4 and 5 year-old class, you will not be required
to hold three parent jobs!
Reduced Classroom Participation
The option of Reduced Classroom Participation is available to families with
heavy demands on their
schedules, and for whom a regular participation schedule would be difficult
to maintain. Reduced
Classroom Participation status will be given at the discretion of the Director
and the Board of
Trustees.
Parents choosing Reduced Classroom Participation will work fewer days in the classroom than those with Regular Participation status, but must fulfill all other parent responsibilities, as specified above. Reduced Participation still requires the parent to be available as an emergency substitute parent during specified days throughout the year. There are two levels of Reduced Participation: one is where the member does not work any days in the classroom; the other is where the member works in the classroom for half the regularly required number of days. Reduced Participation members hold regular voting membership and may hold Board positions.
Reduced Participation positions are offered to the extent that a particular class can accommodate them — that is, all parent work shifts must be covered, and the remainder can be awarded as reduced participation slots. Typically, Reduced Participation can amount to approximately 20% of the total class size, but this varies according to the number of siblings in class and the number of people expected to be on medical leave (especially maternity leave).
Reduced Participation is offered at Registration time. If more people request this option than there are Reduced Participation slots available, an Ad Hoc Committee of the Board of Trustees will be formed to apportion Reduced Participation slots based on expressed need, or a lottery may take place. Parents with Reduced Participation status in a given year will receive priority consideration for Reduced Participation status the following year. A change in status between Reduced and Regular Participation can be made with space permitting, and the approval of the Director.
Tuition for Reduced Participation members who do not work at all in the classroom is two times (double) the Regular Participation rate. Tuition for members who work half the regular classroom days is one-and-a-half times the Regular Participation rate.
Substitute Participation: Members may allocate their participation requirements in the classroom to the adult substitute of their choice, provided that:
Toddler Participation: A parent with a child enrolled in the Toddler Program will have the following responsibilities:
