Friends Nursery School

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Parents

Friends isn't just a place for young people, it's a place for families. We've a professional teaching staff and daily janitorial service, but as a co-op, parents contribute their unique experiences, skills and creative energies to every facet of the school community. All families contribute in some way, but in these busy times can choose their level of involvement. We don't have required evening meetings and parents have a great deal of flexibility in choosing how and when they fulfill the Minimum Participation Expectations of their program. By working and playing side by side for the good of our children, we not only support our school, but enrich the sense of shared purpose and nurturing community that is Friends.

Workdays

To keep Friends a clean, safe place for our children, an adult from each family is required to participate in 3 workdays a year or the equivalent. Workdays are held one Saturday a month from 9 a.m. to noon. Alternative work is available for those unable to attend on Saturdays. During workdays we maintain the building, repair and replace equipment, thoroughly clean, and paint. Typical projects might include: sand the play structure, clear leaves, paint shelves, repair gate, clean fridge.

Fundraising

It's a condition of our lease that we provide scholarships. Each family is expected to contribute the equivalent of ten volunteer hours towards this effort annually by preparing for or working at one or more of our fun, family fundraising events: the Ice Cream Social in September, Rummage Sale in October, Winter Wine and food auction in November, and our main fundraiser in April, Fiesta!  Some of the fundraising  hours may also be fulfilled through the E-Scrip Program.

We try to emphasize the Fun in all of our Fundraising events.  With everyone participating, there is a real sense of community spirit.  Sign up sheets for our various events are posted on our bulletin board, starting in September.  See the Calendar for the dates/times of all events.

In the Classroom

In our morning programs, a few parents work in the classroom once a week as a Participating Parent.  All other parents sign up on a master calendar to be on-call as a substitute when needed.  Our Afternoon programs have no participation requirement, but parents are always welcome, and are called upon frequently to lend a hand in various art or cooking projects. All parents, no matter which program their child is enrolled in, are welcome at school in accordance to our Open Door Policy.

Participating Parents (Morning Program only)

Participating Parents (PPs) work in the classroom one morning per week and attend 3 board meetings a year. Half-time participating parents (½ PPs) assist in the classroom every other week. Both receive tuition, workday, and fundraiser credit. They commit to the job when they register and attend a PP Orientation in August.

PP arrive at 8.45 a.m. to help with set up. They assist in the playspaces and make sure the facilities are clean in preparation for the afternoon classes. Staff handle discipline problems and separation issues, but otherwise PPs are encouraged to interact with the children as do the teachers. After class, the PPs and teachers meet to discuss the day while the PP's children eat lunch together.

Substituting Parents (Morning Program only)

Unless they're a full PP, all morning parents are required to be on-call to substitute for the PP approximately eight times a year on pre-scheduled days (½ PPs sign up for ½ that number). Sign ups are done at the the Fall Parent Orientation meeting. Once signed up for a day, the sub is responsible for substituting that day if called upon anytime before 8:30 a.m. that morning, or for finding a replacement. Siblings may not come to school with you. When they work, subs do all the tasks of a PP, and are paid a per diem by the PP they're replacing.

Board

The Board is the decision making body of the school and works byconsensus. All parents are invited to attend the monthly meetings and contribute their ideas and suggestions, or to volunteer to serve in one of the following board positions (for which they receive tuition, workday and/or fundraising credits, depending on their responsibilities.)

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