FLAGSTAFF
Celebrating 57 Years
Of Loving and Learning
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FAMILY
HANDBOOK
FLAGSTAFF COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL, INC.
4 quality sites in Flagstaff, Az
Inside Marshall Magnet Elementary School,
850 N. Bonito Ave.
Flagstaff, Az 86001
928-779-1441
Inside Puente de Hozho Elementary School,
3401 N. 4th. Street
Flagstaff, Az and
928-226-1209
Our newest Duck Pond Site
Inside the old Flagstaff Middle School Building
755 N. Bonito Ave,
Flagstaff, Az 86001
928-774-3491
Inside Killip Elementary School
2300 E. 6th. Ave
Flagstaff, Az 86004
Our Mailing Address for all 4 sites:
P.O. Box 428
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
928-779-1441
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Our Web Site:
To find out more about our state licensing regulations please go to:
FLAGSTAFF COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL, INC.
Inside Marshall Elementary, Puente de Hozho Elementary, Killip Elementary,
and Flagstaff Co-Op at the Duck Pond
P.O. Box 428
Flagstaff, AZ 86002
928-779-1441
Web Site:
Board Members for 20017-18
Executive Director
Elizabeth Taylor
928-779-1441
elizabeth.m.taylor@nau.edu
President
Carrie Eberly
carriecultra@
Vice President
Jessica Housholder
jhousholder@
Secretary
Jen Burgoon
jmfield5@
Website Secretary
Mikey Slattery and Karina Sampson
karinaandmikey@
Stephen Riek
stephen.riek@
Emma Wharton
Treasurer
emmacwharton@
Site Representative @ Killip
Stephen Riek
stephen.riek@
Site Representative @ Duck Pond
open
Site Representative @ Puente
Amy Knudsen
amyknudsen27@
Site Representative @ Marshall
Aimee Byers
ameebyers@
FUSD & Community Liaisons
Andi Rogers
andisrogers@
Business Manager
Kim Alessi, Staff Accountant
kim@
Johanna Klomann, CPA, PLLC
419 W Aspen Ave
Flagstaff AZ 86001
Ph; 928-774-8995
Fax: 866-706-1017
Mission Statement:
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool’s mission is to develop the intellect, personality, body and heart of each child by creating a cooperative environment filled with experiences in tune with each child’s individual characteristics, interests, and family backgrounds. We promote interactive learning experiences while at play, and support the development of every child’s self-esteem, self-reliance and positive view of life through family and community involvement.
The Statement of Cooperative Identity included at the end of the Handbook offers valuable insights for all Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool Inc. members.
ABOUT THE SCHOOLS:
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool is located inside 4 FUSD Elementary Schools: Marshall Magnet Elementary, Killip Elementary, the old Flagstaff Middle School building on Bonito, and Puente de Hozho Elementary. Each site offers something unique for its population:
FCP at Marshall: This multiage setting, serving ages 3 ½, 4 & 5, combines curriculum and experiences with FUSD’s kindergarten classroom next door. Many of these children grow together for 3 years since most of them move right next door when they enter Kindergarten! This year we continue using the best practices of Reggio Amelia programs. Read more about this at
You can also find out more about our Reggio experience here at Marshall by viewing the You Tube video at
We provide DES childcare for families that qualify.
FCP at Puente de Hozho: The 3-5 year old program at Puente de Hozho is a Spanish enhancement program. During school hours, there are always 2 teachers on site, one speaking English, and the other speaking Spanish. In addition, Spanish language lessons are taught daily to the students at this site. Learning a second language is much more appropriate at a younger age. This is one of our Quality First scholarship sites with 7 full time scholarships available from First Things First Az.
We provide DES childcare for families that qualify.
FCP at the Duck Pond: This is one of our oldest sites, just moved to a new location! This site is currently in its 12th. year working with First Things First Arizona, receiving coaching services and tuition assistance for families in a Quality Improvement Grant Program. We provide DES childcare for families that qualify.
FCP at Killip: This site is inside Killip Elementary. This site was started with strong support
from FUSD Administration, the Coconino County Superintendent’s office, and the staff at Killip.
We have partial scholarships for families at this site and provide DES childcare for families that qualify.
ABOUT THE TEACHERS
Each of our sites has early childhood certified, very experienced early childhood teachers. All are required to take over 20 hours of training per year, are fingerprinted, CPR/First Aid certified, have training in recognizing and reporting child abuse, and practice standard precautions in handling exposure to blood and body fluids.
With branches serving children inside the following FUSD elementary schools:
Marshall Magnet, Killip Elementary, Puente de Hozho Elementary, and the old Flagstaff Middle School Building on north Bonito Ave.
PRESCHOOL CLASSES:
Morning Class: Child attends between 2 and 5 mornings (depending on availability) For 2-4, or 3-5 year old children. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. (at Puente de Hozho, half day classes are from 8:30 am-11:30 am)
All Day Class: Child attends between 2 and 5 full days, (depending on availability) For 2 – 4 or 3-5 year old children. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. (from 8:30am – 2:30 pm at Puente de Hozho)
Afternoon care: Child attends between 2 and 5 afternoons, (depending on availability) For 2-3, 3-5 year old children. 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. (from 11:30am – 2:30pm at Puente de Hozho). Afternoon care is available to all am children and to those just needing the pm care hours only.
ALL DAY AND AFTERNOON CARE:
If your child attends after 11:20 a.m. please provide him/her with a nutritious lunch including milk, or 100% juice, and at least half of the lunch containing fruits and vegetables. Also include two nutritious snacks to eat throughout the day. During his/her time in the afternoon, your child will have a quiet rest time on individual mats provided by the school. Sheets and blankets are provided and washed weekly. Mats are sanitized daily.
If you need childcare during hours when your child is not registered, you must obtain prior approval at least 24 hours in advance from your site director. The charge for this exception will be billed at $4.00 per hour.
Sick days, vacation days, holidays and snow days cannot be made up unless your child is absent for more than a regular attendance week.
EXTENDED CARE OPTIONS:
Morning and afternoon: For 3-8 year old children*, available Monday through Friday before school from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and after 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $4.00 per hour for the first child and $3.50 per hour for the second child in the same family. We love having community members and parent helpers during this time as well, willing to share their special talents with the students.
PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT TO LEAVE YOUR CHILD LATER THAN 5:30 P.M.! If you are running late, you must call us. The State of Arizona requires us to call Child Protective Services if we don’t hear from you by 5:30 p.m. We charge $1.00 per minute past 5:30 p.m. DON’T BE LATE!
*Occasionally a slightly younger or older child may enroll in a class if developmentally appropriate for that child. A 1 month trial period is usually considered enough time to make the decision.
CALENDAR 2018-2019:
Orientation/Open House August 5rd – 7th. Open 9:00a.m. -12:00p.m.
Killip Orientation July 17th and 18th. Open 9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
First Day all other sites August 8th Open at 7:30 a.m.
Killip’s First Day July 19th. Open at 7:30 a.m.
Labor Day September 2nd. Closed
Fall Holiday October 10th. and 11th. Closed
Killip Intercession September 30th.– Oct.11th. Closed
Veterans Day Monday, November 11th. Closed
Thanksgiving November 27th.- 29th. Closed
Killip Thanksgiving November 25th. – 29th. Closed
*Winter Break December 23rd. –January 6th.2020 Closed
New Years Day January 1st, Closed
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 20th. 2020 Closed
President’s Day February 17th. Closed
*Spring Break March 16th. – 20th. Closed
Killip Intercession March 9th. – 20th. Closed
Memorial Day May 25th. Closed
Last Day of School May 29th. 2020 Open Regular Hrs.
Summer Programs for 3 to 8 year olds June 8th. – July 31st. 2020
* the co-op keeps one site open during some public school holidays, spring break and during some days of winter break if enough families need care. We will let you know as those days get closer.
HOLIDAYS:
We try to remain flexible in our celebration of holidays and prefer to emphasize the family traditions and celebrations of our current families from year to year. Be sure to let your child’s teacher know how your family celebrates their special times.
SNOWDAY CANCELATION:
If the Flagstaff Public Schools are cancelled, the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool classes will be cancelled as well.
SNOW DELAY SCHEDULE:
If the Public Schools are on a “Snow Delay Schedule”, the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool morning classes begin 1/2 hour later at 9:30 a.m. (9:00 am at Puente) The preschool opens at 9:00 a.m. for early a.m. care. The afternoon class is not affected by the schedule.
Please tune into our local radio stations (KNAU 91 .7 or 88.7 FM or KAFF 92.9 FM or 930 AM), TV Channel 2 or go online at flagstaff.k12.az.us/snow to determine whether classes are canceled or delayed.
If it is announced on the T.V. or radio that preschool is canceled on a
“Snow Delay Schedule”,
it is NOT referring to Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool.
We are OPEN at 9am on “Snow Delay Schedule” Days! They are referring to FUSD run preschools.
Admission Procedures for our 4 Quality First sites
REGISTRATION FEES:
A non-refundable $125.00 registration fee for materials and insurance is required for each child. A $40.00 registration fee is required if your school age child is “Extended Care Only” or will be in our care on a “Drop In” basis. There is no registration fee for PDG scholarships.
TUITION:
• 3-5 year old class that meets five mornings a week from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• 3-5 year old class that meets five days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• 3-5 year old care that meets five days a week from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
*Our Duck Pond site is the only site that accepts potty trained 2 year olds at this time.
Your child must be enrolled on a per-day basis and can only attend school on the days for which he/she is enrolled.
Half Day Rates (9:00am – 12:00 p.m.) or (12:00p.m. – 3:00 pm)
**at Puente the times are from (8:30am – 11:30am), (11:30am – 2:30pm)
|2 X week |$150.00 |
|3 X week |$195.00 |
|4 X week |$230.00 |
|5 X week |$265.00 |
Full Day Rates (9:00 am – 3:00 p.m.)
**at Puente the times are from (8:30 am – 2:30 pm)
|2 X week |$300.00 |
|3 X week |$390.00 |
|4 X week |$460.00 |
|5 X week |$520.00 |
Our new Full Time rate (7:30am – 5:30pm) 5 days a week
$660.00 per month/ every month
***These fees apply to parents who choose to help once per month in the classroom. If you are unable to help, we will add $20.00 per month for half-day students and $40 per month for full day students to pay an aide in your place. If you cannot come on your chosen helper day, and did not make prior arrangements, please notify the site director at your site before 8:00 am, and sign up for another helper day on your next visit.
PARENT HELPER OBLIGATIONS:
Please bring a prepackaged snack for at least 23 children that day. Parent helpers are to arrive one half hour before the beginning of the class and remain until the listed daily duties are completed. Helper days are 3 hours per month for a half- day student and 6 hours per month for a full day student. The 6 hours may be completed in more than one day. All parent helpers must read the family handbook and sign the form stating they have done so. Important information about basic health and safety, child abuse reporting, emergency procedures, and child guidance are included in the family handbook
TUITION:
Tuition for August will be pro-rated for the number of weeks or days your child attends and is due at orientation if you attend. Thereafter, monthly tuition is due on the first of each month. Your monthly bill will be emailed to you, so please make sure we have a current, legible email address. Tuition payments should be handed to your site director. You may ask for a receipt every time you pay. Tuition is prorated for a child enrolling after the first school day in a month. Tuition is pro-rated for illnesses or personal vacations only if they extend longer than a full week. Tuition is not prorated for scheduled holidays or snow days. A family with more than one child enrolled in Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool can deduct $15.00 per month from the tuition of the youngest child.
We are a Cash for Local Change entity. This means that although we like to have your credit card on file, you can pay by check or cash anytime. This saves our school $3.00 per credit card swipe x 200 families, which goes directly to huge banking corporations, and does not support Flagstaff or Arizona.
Would you like to pay your bill Online?
It’s as easy as 1,2,3 …
1. Receive you bill by email. Give you teacher a check for current and any past due amounts.
2. Receive you bill by email. Click “Submit Payment” , and fill out the required information. All past due amounts must be paid by check or cash to your child’s teacher. The submit payment system only works for the current month.
3. Or, call Kim Alessi, our billing accountant, to use your card to pay on a one time charge. kim@
We are required to keep your authorization card in a secure location and we will shred the authorization cards when they are no longer needed.
if you have questions or concerns, please call the Business Manager, for full details.
HOW WE FIGURE OUR TUITION RATES:
To keep your monthly bill consistent and low each month, our annual budgeted operations cost is divided by 10 equal months and not calculated according to holidays.
Be aware that December and March tuition is the same as the rest of the months regardless of the additional holidays.
Our Killip site is the only site which pays 1/2 of the full tuition rate during October intercession, and 3/4 of the full tuition for March intercession.
Orientation to the Progam
All families receive an orientation to our program which includes a tour of the facility, teacher introductions, expectations of the family, needs of the child, an interpreter if needed, and time for questions. All families received a handbook by email which includes: schedules, fees/payment plans, curriculum, schedules, complaint procedures, discipline, illness policy, drop off and pick up procedure, withdrawal/dismissal procedure, family participation, holidays, philosophy and goals of the program.
TUITION ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Paying for Child Care
Paying for good child care can be a struggle. In fact, child care is probably the second largest expense in your budget after rent or mortgage. The average cost of child care in Arizona is $600 per month. This cost can vary depending on the age of the child, location, and type of care desired.
Think about what your family needs, and take a close look at your budget.
• Are there alternatives to paying for full-time child care? The Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool offers a varying
schedule from full days to half days, and a choice of 2, 3, 4 .or 5 days per week, as well as hourly care.
• Is it possible to work fewer hours or share hours of child care if you are in a two-parent household and working at different times?
• Could you share child care expenses with another family?
• Can you rely on several relatives or friends to help you with some of your child care needs?
What should you do?
• Plan ahead. Start thinking about your child care options and their costs.
• Child care is a big expense, so make sure it is of high quality.
• Find out what kind of help may be available. Each type of child care financial assistance has different qualifications, like income level or employment status. Make sure you get all of the facts.
By planning ahead, getting the facts, and using all of the resources available to help you, you are off to a good start in making the best choice for your family.
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool Options
If your child attends our Puente de Hozho preschool site:
You may qualify for a First Things First/Quality First tuition assistance scholarship. Please stop by the site for an application. You can only receive this scholarship if you attend this site.
If your child attends our Killip preschool site:
We have partial preschool scholarships available for low income families that need it. Please ask Miss Julie for details.
For any family at any of our 4 preschool sites:
For 56 years our preschools have always had parents helping in the classroom at least once per month as an important part of our parent involvement program. As always, if you choose to help in the classroom additional days and times during a month, after the first time, you will receive $9.00 per hour credit toward your bill at the end of the month for the additional volunteer hours. Many families use this option to keep their bill within their budget, while still allowing their child a quality preschool experience. Our teachers enjoy the extra help and shared talents of our families.
For NAU Students:
NAU Office of Student Life, University Union (Building 30), Room 105
Northern Arizona University
PO Box 6015
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6015
Phone: 928-523-5181
e-mail: student.life@nau.edu
nau.edu/studentlife
If you are a student parent, you may be eligible to receive a grant to help cover the cost of child care.The Childcare Voucher Program makes quality child care more accessible and affordable for student parents so they can concentrate on their studies and graduate on time. Funds are available for qualifying undergraduate, graduate, international, and extended campus students.
Apply
Interested? Read our childcare application for more information on the grant, then fill it out when you’re ready to get started.
Contact us
For more information, don't hesitate to contact us
For possible AzDES Childcare assistance at all 4 of our sites:
You may be eligible to receive Child Care assistance if you need child care for one of the following reasons:
• Employment
• Participation in the JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) Program
• Allowable education and training activities related to employment when you work at least an average of 20 hours per week
• High school, GED or remedial education classes for teen parents.
• Inability or unavailability to care for your children due to:
o a physical, mental or emotional condition
o participation in a drug treatment or rehabilitation program
o a court-ordered community service program
• Residency in a homeless or domestic violence shelter
• As determined by a Child Protective Services (CPS) or Foster Care case plan
Child care is provided for a portion of a 24-hour day when neither the parent nor the caretaker is available to provide care due to one of the above-listed eligible activities or needs.
DES child care eligibility requirements vary with each program. Some programs have income eligibility requirements based on family size and gross income and may require the family to pay a portion of the child care costs.
Please see the website at:
Or visit the DES childcare office in Flagstaff at 397 Malpais Ln., Suite 9, Flagstaff, Az 774-505
If your child qualifies for Quality First on the Navajo Nation :
Please contact Web Address:
LATE FEES and COLLECTIONS:
Tuition and Extended Day Care fees are due on the 5th. and delinquent if not paid before the 15th of the month. A $25.00 late fee is charged when tuition is delinquent. If you are unable to pay the fees, please contact the business manager to set up a payment schedule. If you do not pay tuition or extended care fees by the end of the month, your child will no longer be able to attend their class or extended day care until the tuition and fees are paid in full.
COLLECTIONS:
If a payment schedule for past due amounts is not set, or payments are not made, the business manager sends past due accounts to a collection agency for assistance. Families are always informed before this happens.
DISENROLLMENT:
If you choose to withdraw your child for any reason, please notify Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool in writing as soon as possible so that your account can be cleared. Most sites have a waiting list of families, so a notice of 30 days is preferred.
Attendance/Absentee Policy:
We expect children will attend the amount of days per month that they are signed up for, whether they be half days or full days. Once a child has been absent for 1 week, teachers will call the family to check on the status of the child if we have not heard from them already. A family’s tuition will not be reimbursed for the occasional days of absence, but will be credited for anything beyond a week of absence.
*For those children receiving a Quality First Scholarship, they must attend a minimum of 48hours of class per month for a part time scholarship, and a minimum of112 hours of class per month for a full time scholarship
*For those children receiving a Preschool Development Grant Scholarship, they must attend a minimum of 24 hours of class per week, (4 days x 6 hours per day).
*All children are expected to attend at least 85% of each month.
Suspension/Expulsion Policy
Children can be suspended for parent’s not paying a child’s bill.
Children using the Quality First or the Preschool Development Grant Scholarships can be expelled for not attending the required amount of hours expressed above, after a formal reminder has been given in writing.
Child Find:
“Child Find” (Identification of Disabilities) If you suspect that your child, age 3-5 years of age, has a disability, there are screening, evaluation, and Special Education services available at no cost to you if you live within the boundaries of the Flagstaff Unified School District. Information is also available to you for children under the age of 3. Please call 527-6182 to initiate the referral process, or you can view the information on the FUSD web site at .
WAYS FAMILIES CAN HELP
FUNDRAISING:
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool conducts fundraising events during the school year to buy classroom supplies, special equipment and to resupply our emergency tuition assistance fund. Each family is expected to participate in some way in these events.
*We also participate in a 501-c3 non-profit organization Annual Appeal and accept donations for supplies or tuition assistance.
*We also can accept dollar for dollar tax credit for donations for tuition assistance for low income families at Children’s Care Arizona. Please go to children’ and you can specify a donation specifically to the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool.
Amazon Smile:
We are also members of the Amazon Smile program where Amazon donates .5% of the purchase price of eligible products to our organization. Shop at
PARENT HELPER DISCOUNTS:
Families may also volunteer at Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool, beyond their regular monthly helper day, at a rate of $9 per hour toward their monthly bill. Please ask your child’s teacher where to sign in and out when this occurs.
If your family can offer a special skill or service, please let your teacher know. We feel this is a very important part of building community at our school. You can help in the am, pm or in our extended care program.
EXTRA JOB SYSTEM:
In addition to helping in the classroom once per month, parents are asked to help with a small monthly task. The list of jobs that need to be completed will change with the needs of the school, and parents may choose to work at times most convenient to them. The teacher will arrange a simple, yet very helpful “extra job” which can be done either regularly or as needed. Please see the sticky notes on the Parent Board and take one as you leave. . . these are “Extra Jobs”. Write down what you bring, or do, in the far right hand column of your child’s sign in sheet to help keep track.
MONTHLY PARENT ADVOSORY BOARD MEETINGS:
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool will schedule a parent meeting each month. Dates will be posted on the parent bulletin boards located above e the sign-in tables at each site. In addition, we have regular meetings of the Flagstaff Cooperative Executive Board and the directors at the various preschool sites. Parents are encouraged to attend as many meetings as possible. Your input and ideas are welcomed in order to run your child’s school more effectively to meet everyone’s needs.
IMPORTANT DAY TO DAY INFORMATION
FIELD TRIPS:
Occasional trips are taken to nearby places such as special City of Flagstaff Programs, Thorp Park, the East Flag Library, the Museum, the Francis Short Pond, the Public Library, another nearby preschool program, or through the woods on a scientific investigation. Our Water in Our World science program put together by Liz Taylor and Chris LeMoyne in our Multiage Marshall program offers monthly field trips to Snow Bowl, the Nordic Center, Beaver Creek, etc. Field trip fees are occasionally requested as well as extra parent help driving or walking. Parents may ask the director about field trip fee assistance. Our desire is to have all children participate, at all of our sites, always.
Notification of field trips and drivers will be posted in advance. A child is allowed to go on field trips only if his/her parents or guardians have given written permission on the signed Field Trip Permission Form, and have provided a booster seat labeled with the child’s name. All parent and teacher drivers must have current CPR and First Aid certification. If you do not have the certification, we do hold classes for certification in September. If you do not wish your child to go on a field trip, please keep him/her home on the day of the activity or make other arrangements. The Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool does not carry insurance for children off premises.
Safe Driving Tips for Field Trips:
• Children are not allowed in the front seat.
• Children who are 8 years old and under must be buckled in a car seat or a booster seat. See more about this law at:
• Lock all doors and close windows. Keep children’s hands, head, and feet inside the car.
• Stop boisterous behavior when it starts and/or before it reaches epidemic proportions. Chat with the children and ask questions about the trip.
• If necessary, stop the car to enforce safety rules.
• We require the Field Trip Driver Form, a copy of the driver’s license and registration of all parent drivers, as well as CPR and first aid certification.
• Be sure you are adequately insured for transporting other children in your car.
Remember, Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool does not carry insurance for children off the premises!
VISITORS:
Classroom visitors might describe a career or hobby. They might include Museum Docents with puppets and stories, Kennel Club representatives with trained dogs, or Forest service personnel demonstrating safety in the woods. Our parents often prove to be our most wonderful and interesting monthly visitors. As a parent cooperative, we hope you share your talents with us as well on your helper days.
GENERAL HEALTH:
Keep your child home when he has any of the following symptoms:
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Redness and/or drainage of one or both eyes
• Cold, cough, runny nose, croup, laryngitis
• Vomiting
• Impetigo or skin rash of any kind
• Tonsillitis
• Swollen glands
• Earache
Your child may return to school when:
• Fever has stayed down without medication for 24 hours.
• Eye infections have been treated and the drainage is clear, or has disappeared.
• Cold and/or cough is at least three days old and any drainage is clear (not cloudy or thick).
• Rash has been treated for at least 48 hours or has disappeared completely.
• Contagious diseases such as sore throats, swollen glands, tonsillitis, etc., have been treated with antibiotics for at least 48 hours.
• Earache has been treated and doctor has given an okay for child to
participate.
• If you have any doubts, contact your child’s teacher.
Your child may contract colds and other contagious diseases during the preschool year. 8 or 9 colds are common among children who are playing in groups for the first time. Your child’s teacher will quickly observe any symptoms of illness, and may notify a parent to pick the child up immediately if the conditions warrants. With the outbreak of the Flu, we are even more cautious. All current outbreaks/illnesses are typed and posted on the front of the sign in book as soon as teachers become aware of them. Find out more about flu safety at
To maintain licensing, each child must have current immunization documentation. Please keep your child’s immunizations up to date. An actual copy of their immunization record is needed. State of Arizona now requires quite a number of vaccinations for all children. Keep your “Emergency, Information, & Immunization Record Card” current. This card MUST be complete and on file before you leave your child for his/her first day of school. In the event of an emergency, the instructions on this card will be followed. To find out more about immunization requirements please go to
Your child will not be released to anyone other than those signed on the back of your child’s emergency card or with your written permission.
Please inform the teachers and director about any allergies your child may be suffering from and indicate them clearly on the emergency card.
Accidents
Parents will be contacted first and immediately in case of an emergency. If Parents cannot be reached, the individuals listed on the emergency card will be contacted immediately.
All accidents will be listed in the Accident/Illness Log located at the back of the sign in/sign out book.
This school does not administer over the counter medication of any kind. If your child requires a dose of medication at certain intervals, please come by to administer it, or adjust the schedule your child takes the medication to fit times when they are home.
If you child requires medication for life threatening conditions, such as epi- pens, parents will provide written instructions that include the medication name, the dosage, time and date medication is to be given, and is consistent with the labeling on the medication itself. This medication must be in its original container, and include the name of the child to whom it is to be given. Documentation will be kept by the center as to the name of the medication, the amount, time given and the name of the person administering it. It shall be kept in a locked box, inaccessible to children.
We are a 24 hour smoke free campus. All families should receive education and referrals regarding tobacco prevention cessation and second hand smoke at least 4 times per year.
OUR ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM:
First Things First Arizona has provided training for our teachers so that children may brush their teeth after lunch. Please sign a permission slip for your child to be able to participate in this program and provide a toothbrush.
NUTRITIOUS SNACKS:
According to Arizona State Regulations for Day Care Centers, snacks brought to the childcare center must be prepackaged and meet the following standards:
1. They should meet the age appropriate nutrition requirement, which is:
a. At least two items from the following food groups:
i. Milk
ii. Vegetables & Fruit (including full strength - 100% -juice)
iii. Grains
iv. Protein-rich (meats, cheeses, eggs, nuts)
b. The two items served should be from different food groups.
2. A variety of foods from each group should be provided.
3. Snacks should adhere to the current recommendations for sugar, salt, and fat. This should be kept at a minimum.
4. Beverages served to children must be low fat milk, water, or 100% juice. Imitation, powdered, syrup or concentrate drinks, or punches shall not be allowed in place of full-strength juice.
5. Avoid putting two sugary things together such as cookies and juice. For example: serve cheese and crackers with juice, or banana bread with milk.
When shopping for snacks, check the label - juice must be 100% and say juice (not drink) - no sugar added. Other foods should have sugar listed no higher than the third ingredient.
We offer water at least 8 times per day and have water available in the classroom at all times. Water is our first choice of daily drink. If Juice is served, water is used for “seconds” to help clean the teeth.
We never reward good behavior or a “clean plate” with foods of any kind, but we do urge children to eat their “growing foods” first during lunch.
There are children with severe food allergies.
Please check the bulletin board or refrigerator doors for any possible food allergies before providing snack.
ADHS LICENSING:
Our facilities are all regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services located at 2519 E. 7 Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86004,
Their telephone number is 928-774-2707.
Inspection reports for gas, fire, health and licensing are always available on request.
We are an Empower Pack registered site which keeps our annual licensing costs down. See more at:
Each site is licensed for 18-24 children per classroom. A Az certified teacher leads classes. An aide, parent and NAU intern or student teacher may all assist the teacher.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT:
Family members are welcome, and expected visitors in the program at all times, to eat lunch with a child, observe, or volunteer. Teachers work in collaborative partnership with families to build mutual understandings about children’s learning and developmental needs. When staff is not of the linguistic and cultural background of the children/families, increased efforts are made to provide an interpreter and ensure communication. Please refer back to page 8 to see the Ways Families Can Help section for ideas that fit your life style.
Child Abuse Reporting Procedures
Protecting the health and welfare of students is the most important and fundamental responsibility of every professional educator. Consequently, it is imperative that all school personnel and volunteers be educated and hold fast to Arizona’s laws regarding the safety of children in Arizona’s classrooms. These laws include important guidelines on reporting allegations of child abuse and professional misconduct. Failure to comply with these laws can, above all, result in the needless victimization of children, and may also lead to criminal and administrative proceedings against those who fail to make the required reports. The Flagstaff Cooperative preschool has a written policy regarding abuse. All family helpers, volunteers, and teachers should be familiar with the Arizona Child Abuse Reporting Guidelines found at:
First Things First Arizona
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool works with First Things First to be able to provide the opportunity for your child to receive a toothbrush and brush teeth on a daily basis after lunch time. You must sign a permission slip for your child to be able to participate in this program. All site directors participated in a training to be able to provide this opportunity.
First Things First has also chosen the Puente de Hozho and Duck Pond sites to go through a quality improvement program which includes teacher trainings, site visits, some tuition assistance, coaching, and new materials to help improve quality in an ongoing basis.
To find out more about First Things First and their initiatives please go to:
INSURANCE:
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool has current liability, accident, fire, theft, abuse and worker’s compensation insurance with exceeds liability amounts required by the State of Arizona.
The Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool has an Emergency Evacuation Plan
Each preschool site has a Emergency Response Plan for Fire or Lock Down procedures. All Plans include emergency numbers, a very specific plan for evacuation or lock down, a way to contact parents, secondary site options, specific instructions for taking roll, caring for emergencies, and a chain of command and responsibility list. This Plan is taught to all new employees and reviewed annually in August before school begins.
Please always make sure your contact information is accurate and updated.
Additional School Evacuation Procedures for FUSD sites:
Each school and preschool has emergency procedures in place, has had evacuation drills and has well-trained staff working hard to assure the student’s safety and prompt return to their parents/guardians.
Information as to where your child(ren) are can be obtained by
(1) tuning into local radio and television stations, or waiting for phone calls from your chlild’s teachers once safe.
(2) accessing the district’s website at
and or calling the district office at 527-6000 (please do not call the school involved in the evacuation).
FUSD Sexual Harassment Policy
The Governing Board prohibits sexual harassment of or by any of it employees, students or visitors. It is the district’s policy that all individuals associated with the district including but not limited to the Governing Board, employees, students and visitors have a right to work, learn and visit all district sites in an environment free of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, and sexual harassment. Let it be known that all employees, students and visitors at all sites must avoid offensive or inappropriate sexual and/or sexually harassing behavior. Governing Board members, employees, students and visitors have a right and responsibility to report harassment experiences. It will be ensured that there will be prompt and equitable resolution of sexual harassment complaints by providing access to any needed information and materials concerning harassment, how to file a complaint and a step by step process which will guide those involved, whether it be the accused or the victim. Sexual harassment means any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature by an employee, by a student, or by a third party. Governing Board policy related to sexual harassment is available in the office of any FUSD site. Generally, sexual harassment occurs when: [pic] The behavior is unwelcome and sexual in nature. [pic] The behavior is ongoing, creating a hostile environment. [pic] The behavior leaves the victim feeling uncomfortable. [pic] Submission to or rejection of behavior affects employment or academic status or benefit. Examples of sexual harassment may include: [pic] Unwelcome sexual advances. [pic] Unwanted hugs or touches. [pic] Suggestive or lewd remarks. [pic] Requests for sexual favors. [pic] Derogatory or pornographic posters, pictures, cartoons or drawings. If you experience or witness sexual harassment, report it immediately! Reporting Procedures: Complaints may be verbal or written. STUDENTS: Report sexual harassment to a teacher, nurse, counselor, social worker, principal, or your parent and /or the Associate Superintendent or the Office of Civil Rights. EMPLOYEES: Report sexual harassment to your supervisor and/or the Associate Superintendent or the Office for Civil Rights. Do not report sexual harassment to the alleged harasser!
Reporting Child Abuse/Child Protection
Any school personnel or any other person who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been the victim of physical injury, child abuse, or neglect that appears to have been inflicted upon the minor by other than accidental means or that is not explained by the available medial history as being accidental in nature or care or nourishment with the intent to cause or allow the death of an infant who is protected under A.R.S. 36-2281 shall immediately report or cause reports to be made of such information to a police office or to the Child Protective Services (CPS) of the Department of Economic Security, except if the report concerns a person who does not have care, custody, or the control of the minor, the report shall be made to a police officer only. Such reports shall be made immediately by telephone or in person and shall be followed by a written report within 72 hours. Child abuse includes any non-accidental injury to a minor, regardless of the age or limited mental capacity of the person who causes the injury. If two children are involved in a fight that leads to visible injury to one or both, the incident is reportable as child abuse. A person who fails to report child abuse as provided 15 in A.R.S. 13-3620 is guilty of a Class 1 Misdemeanor, except if the failure to report involves a reportable offense, the person is guilty of a Class 6 Felony.
FLAGSTAFF COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM and PHILOSOPHY:
Upon visiting our school you probably have noticed that our classrooms have a lot of bustle and noise, and that children are doing things, talking, playing, and exploring. Such an environment is much different than the old school images.
Research and experience tell us that to be effective with young children teaching practices need to be “developmentally appropriate”. This means simply that educators need to observe and determine what children are like and then create an environment and a variety of sensory experiences that are in tune with the children’s interests, development, background, and community. Building positive relationships between teachers, families, children and the community are of primary importance.
The goals of the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool Curriculum are to develop the intellect, the personality, the body and heart of each child. The aim is to help each child feel good about himself/herself, to become more self-reliant, and to have a positive view of life. The program provides the kind of activities within the classroom that will support and reinforce existing skills and foster development of emerging skills. The child can take pride in his/her accomplishments. The program allows the children to participate in whatever ways they can feel comfortable and successful. Social skills and emotional growth are developed through adult and peer interaction: by learning to cooperate and work out differences with others in an acceptable manner.
Early childhood is a time of life quite unique from any other. Children 2-6 years learn far better through direct interactive experiences than through just listening to someone talk. They learn through play and exploration. The younger children are, the more their learning needs to be relevant and interesting on the day they learn it. At the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool we have all multiage environments, including a wide range of developmental levels. Each teacher uses a multi-tiered system of support so that each child is working on the appropriate developmental level for their learning. Lesson plans include notes on how we support each developmental level in each class.
The benefits for children’s intellectual, social, emotional, physical and language development have been documented through the years. Children at play are actively involved in creating themes; exploring and establishing environments, solving real problems and developing shared understandings.
We have plenty of time for playing. The 3-6 hour session includes time for group activities, projects, free time inside, outdoor play, and snack. The project time may be integrated with the free time. The children have choices and self-motivated activities for skill building, as well as supervised and directed activities. We set up stimulating areas where kids can play alone or in groups without fear of damaging furniture or injuring themselves. They choose the peers with whom they will work and play and usually determine how and when they will use the available materials.
Research indicates that intrinsic motivation - working on tasks primarily because we find them satisfying - is the most effective and engaging way to learn. It is our goal to achieve this through our programs.
THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM:
Preschoolers are usually most responsive to activities in which they are involved in a “hands-on” manner. Our teachers accept that and design their classroom spaces with “learning stations” at which children can freely choose whether to participate or not and for how long. Our quality staff rotates and adds materials frequently to maintain and extend the child’s interest. Often our teachers create their own games and materials if commercial ones do not offer the challenge needed, or do not reflect the interests of the children. Young children seem to learn best when trained teachers build on the interests and abilities of the children. This reflects the currently recognized theory that endorses non-pressured, child-centered activities guided by an adult with a solid child development base and strong problem-solving skills. In such a program, parents truly become partners with the professional staff as they have opportunities to collaborate daily and actually participate in the classroom at least once each month. Information or discoveries about the child’s development are mutually shared, resulting in a program tailored to the individual child.
The preschool curriculum includes activities centering on communication, science, math, social studies, music, art, and large and small motor development. An enrichment program that includes parent involvement, field trips, special community visitors, and NAU and Coconino Community College Internship and student teaching programs are offered. Dramatic play opportunities reinforce learning of practical life experiences.
LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION:
This is not a quiet place! The whole language approach is our model. This is one in which children are exposed to drawing, print and language that is integrated into each activity center. Stories, songs and poetry are integrated into the fabric of each day, as well as the staff’s willingness and ability to facilitate problem solving and language building social guidance. Children learn much of their language from one another. Time and supervision is offered by the staff for this to occur in a positive, enriching manner. At the Puente de Hozho site, Spanish lessons are offered twice each day and are integrated into the curriculum as much as possible. Navajo and Hopi can be as well, depending on the needs of the currently enrolled population.
SCIENCE:
Open-ended questions by the trained teacher help the children learn how to question … how to be thinkers. Hands-on activities include using simple machines, sensory table play, observing and caring for plant and animal life, sorting and categorizing everything; nutrition awareness and weekly cooking activities are offered. In addition we have a year long curriculum, Water in Our World, written for use in preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes in Flagstaff. Each month students visit different locations which emphasize specific water concepts ranging from desert and riparian areas, human water use, animal and plant water use, waste water, the physical properties of water, the water cycle, and erosion. Throughout the field experiences students observe their surroundings and the importance of water to the ecosystem. They collect data, make comparisons, and look for distinguishing characteristics through pre and post activities, field experiences, and comparisons to the local pond.
MATH:
Activities include concepts of introductory geometry, seriating, classification, sets, number, time, pattern, quantity, length, weight, use of simple graphs, simple addition/subtraction, and money. All offered three dimensionally and in multiple formats long before the two dimensional, paper and pencil task are offered.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
A preschooler’s social world conception is very small compared to an adult’s. Thematic Units and personal discussions about our selves, families, traditions, pets, friends, homes, grandparents, school, occupations, community and transportation are the focus. Multicultural books, posters, dress up clothes, foods, etc., are integrated into the curriculum in a natural way ... not as “special” token gestures.
DRAMATIC PLAY:
From “playing house”, to being a cashier in a pretend grocery store, to digging for dinosaur “fossils” in the sandbox outside, to delivering goodies for a sick grandma in a red cape, the children are able to practice so many social roles. We try to provide whatever literacy props (note pads, menus, envelopes, prescription pads) or dramatic play props service the children’s changing needs.
MUSIC:
Our music program increases exposure to music and rhythmic movement while incorporating mathematics, language, storytelling, memorization, and coordination. Children who use alternative avenues for learning are shown to be more apt to retain their instruction because of the pairing of fine and gross motor skills. The goal of the project is to enrich each student’s learning experience with musical concepts by incorporating language, mathematics, memorization, and coordination into daily lessons. Parents are encouraged to participate and use these concepts at home for ongoing education. We are also very fortunate to have a local multicultural dance teacher, Sergio Padilla, mindfulness Yoga Instuctor, Peggy Murray, and Disc Golf instructor, Eddie Diaz all provide exceptional experiences for our children.
ART:
Exploratory, sensory art activities help the child experience a variety of media. Collages and creating mobiles are offered. A variety of paints, chalk, pencils, papers, markers, glue, paste, and play dough are all available in a “free choice” activity center for the children to use as they wish. Teachers go to great lengths to offer artistic expression in unusual formats and media, as well as integrate the arts into math, science and physical development. Children need many forms to express themselves above and beyond linguistic.
LARGE MOTOR:
Movement activities including free dance, parachute handling, climbing, crawling, running, easel painting, tumbling, exercising, yoga, balancing, bike riding, “scooting”, digging, throwing, catching, kicking, etc. are just a small part of the daily indoor and outdoor large motor program. We all realize the integral link between brain growth and physical development in relation to all other areas of development. We offer lots of time and space for each. . . a minimum of 2 hours per day in our full day program!
SMALL MOTOR:
From the handling of simple tools to completing pegboards and puzzles, children are continually offered opportunities to develop their smaller muscle groups, an important prerequisite for writing.
EMPOWER PACK Curriuculum:
This program is used by the Arizona Department of Health Services and is made available to licensed home and day care facilities. Empower pack standards are indicated below, and include policies on how the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool uses them.
• Empower Standard 1 Physical Activity PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 2 Sun Safety PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 3 Breastfeeding PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 4 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 5 Fruit Juice PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 6 Family-Style Meals PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 7 Oral Health PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 8 Staff Training PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 9 Arizona Smokers' Helpline (ASHLine) PDF | Word
• Empower Standard 10 Smoke-Free Environment PDF | Word
ASSESSMENT:
Teachers make on-going observations of each child and routinely make informal assessments of developmental progress. We do assessments concerning fine motor, gross motor, art development, math, writing and reading skills. These observations and assessments are used to individualize curriculum planning for further skill development understanding as well as adjusting the daily schedule to fit children’s needs. The children’s needs and interests are always used to create a meaningful curriculum for the children present. Weaving unplanned, age appropriate activities and/or relevant conversation into the daily schedule is extremely important in inspiring young children to be engaged in their own learning as well as expand upon their language skills in a natural way. All of our classrooms are multiage and cover a wide developmental range, so we use a multi-tiered system of support where we tailor each activity to the developmental level of each child. . . activities are challenging, but achievable.
Our teachers are currently being trained in using an online assessment system called My Teaching Strategies Gold. This assessment system is required by the Arizona Department of Education for use with Preschool Development Grant children. Other children in the classroom will be enrolled in to the online system once we become proficient in using it.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES:
You may have a teacher conference at any time throughout the year by appointment. Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool teachers and families are expected to discuss concerns about children in an appropriate, respectful manner. Constructive plans for each child will be created together, based on the teacher’s professional knowledge, and the family’s goals and personal knowledge of their own child. Each teacher will schedule opportunities for at least one, and preferably two, formal parent/teacher conference at your home, at school, or by phone for each child during the school year, however, those short, daily conversations as you drop your child off and pick them up, are invaluable.
Transition Plans:
Home to School
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool is a parent cooperative preschool. This means that parents are often in the classroom during the normal routines of the day. There is a calendar posted on the wall for the entire school year and parents simply sign up for days to help at their convenience. If a parent wants to slowly transition the child into the classroom setting then they can stay with the child and help until the child is comfortable. We encourage families to help with a slow transition for the first 2 weeks and then to allow the child to grow in their classroom independence. Teachers encourage this often and especially with younger children. During the time that a parent is “helping” the parent is expected to help complete the routine classroom tasks such as wiping tables, helping clean up, sweeping, and assisting with a teacher-planned activity.
Preschool to Kindergarten
Each elementary school based site inherently supports transitions into Kindergarten by eating in the cafeteria, sometimes participating in library story times and book check out, and collaborating with kindergarten students and teachers year round. All Preschools post fliers as to when kindergarten registration is occurring within the district and will provide kindergarten registration packets to out-going students. These packets are provided and delivered by the school district and are not assembled by the staff. Flyers are posted concerning kindergarten registration in February as soon as they are received from the district. In May, we start to discuss students “Graduating” to kindergarten by reading books concerning kindergarten, and talk about what changes to expect.
Curriculum Sharing
Parents at Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool are provided with multiple opportunities to see the preschool curriculum. There is a monthly calendar that is printed out and sent home the first week of each month. One of these calendars is then posted on the wall by the “parent helper sign-up calendar” so that parents can see daily what lessons are planned. In addition to the calendar being posted, there is also a white board where daily lesson plans are hand written for parents. This white board is where changes to the monthly curriculum are made so that parents are made aware if the curriculum is altered.
Staff Retention Plan
Staff Retention is not an issue at the public school based sites. Our staff has been stable for over 12 – 25years. Some years we may have a large number of NAU students employed here. As students graduate, they leave. While they are working for us though, we attempt to accommodate their school schedules as much as possible to help with retention. As far as staff members that are not college students, we offer free preschool for any staff member who works more than 10 hours a week at all 4 sites.
Referral Process
Should the Head teacher observe problems with a student’s development, the parents are contacted and a parent/teacher conference is held immediately. Information is provided to the family about how to contact the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) so that developmental testing can be completed, or a referral can be made to Child Find, and evaluations can be conducted there.
The Head teacher makes all the information and observations available to the FUSD staff as the child moves on to Kindergarten so that they can complete the referral. Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool does provide services for Special Needs students. In the event that a one on one aid is needed, it is possible that FUSD can offer this support in our classrooms if it is chosen as the Least Restrictive Environment for the child.
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES
Families that attend the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool have access to experienced, certified staff, quality educational materials, a safe environment inside a public school building, multi-age preschool and aftercare services for preschool and school age children, parent involvement, access to DES childcare scholarships, Quality First scholarships and Preschool Development Grant Scholarships, Child Find Referrals, Parenting College Courses, reduced tuition for additional helper hours beyond the first helper day, a wide variety of everchanging talented parent helpers, a wide variety of community enrichment activities such as the bookmobile, yoga or dance, field excursions near and far, as well as close contact to a brother or a sister in a public school building.
Additional Community Resources
Please find the additional community resources page at the back of this Family Handbook and watch for the many handouts, emails, flyers and postings about community events for young children and families at each preschool site.
EARLY MORNING AND AFTERSCHOOL CARE PROGRAM for School Age Children:
All of the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschools offer a safe, loving early morning and after care for the preschoolers in the program, as well as for any child up to 8 years of age. The care program offers much needed playtime, physical activities, games, crafts, reading, and home work club for the older school age group.
Brothers and sisters can be together during this time as well as friends from kindergarten through 2nd grade classrooms. Please let the preschool staff know if this program interests you for your school age child/ren as well. The cost is $4.00 per hour, Monday through Friday.
ODDS AND ENDS
CLOTHING:
Preschool can often be messy. Although we provide smocks for children to wear, clothing will sometimes get paint, glue, or other supplies on it. Please dress your child in comfortable clothing. We go outside in all kinds of weather, even rain. Children need outdoor time 3-4 times each day. Please dress your child appropriately for impending weather conditions. Remember boots and mittens for outdoor winter play.
Please label all clothing and personal items with your child’s name.
TELEVISION USE:
The use of television, films and video tapes are limited. When shown we try to insure they serve an educational purpose, are previewed first and the staff have other activities available for children who do not wish to participate.
Recent research by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that the human brain develops best by:
*interacting with parents, family and other important people in the child’s life
*manipulating environmental elements like blocks and dramatic play toys.
*creative, problem solving activities
Six prominent medical groups warn that the affects of violence on television will increase anti-social behavior and aggression in children, and that they may become less sensitive to violence, and will view violence as an acceptable way to settle conflicts.
Older aftercare children may visit the computer lab once per week. FUSD has a very high filter on what types of games and activities children can access.
HOLIDAYS:
We try to remain flexible in our celebration of holidays and prefer to emphasize family traditions and celebrations instead. Be sure to let your child’s teacher know how your family celebrates their special times.
BIRTHDAYS:
Birthdays are important occasions for children. Remind your child’s teacher to schedule your helper day on or near your child’s birthday. If you wish to plan a special celebration or bring a special treat, please notify the teacher and make is as low sugar as possible. We suggest simple treats that we can help prepare ourselves that are as nutritious as possible.
TRANSPORTATION:
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool provides no transportation to or from preschool.
CARPOOLS:
Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool accepts no responsibility for carpool arrangements. The following suggestions may help to maintain smooth carpool associations:
• Have your child ready to go out the door before the driver arrives.
• When your child stays home from preschool, call the carpool driver, and the preschool.
DISCIPLINE POLICY:
In most cases, a reminder to disruptive children that their behavior is unacceptable is our general policy. A developmentally appropriate logical or natural consequence for inappropriate social or emotional behavior is sufficient. Physical punishment is not allowed. Incident reports are written by Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool staff whenever necessary as a communication record, not as request for additional “at home” discipline. Taking social risks is important during a child’s growth, and each child deserves time and attention to learn appropriate social boundaries without being shamed, nagged or humiliated. Teacher’s responses should be constructive, not destructive to a child’s well being and growth. Building positive relationships is our business.
Statement of Cooperative Identity
The International Cooperative Alliance, established in 1895, is considered to be the final authority for defining cooperatives and the principles by which they operate. The organization has made three formal statements of cooperative principles over the past 100 years in an effort to keep them relevant to the contemporary world. At its 100th anniversary meeting in September 1995 in Manchester, England, the Alliance adopted the following “Statement of Cooperative Identity.”
Definition
A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
Values
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
Principles
The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote), and cooperatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at lease would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities, through policies approved by their members.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Duties: Parent Advisory Board
President:
• Shall preside over monthly board meetings and create agenda for said meetings through communication with Director, teachers and board members.
• Shall organize and oversee all Fund fundraisers.
• Shall organize advertising and public relations work with the Director.
• Shall be a liaison between the Board and the steering committees.
• Shall continue to improve board and business operations in an ethical, productive manner.
Vice President:
• Shall share the duties of President, represent the President in his/her absence, and support all Parent Advisory Board Members.
• Shall assist the President in fundraising
• Shall order and disperse all marketing and advertising with the Director
• Shall continue to improve board and business operations in an ethical, productive manner
Secretary:
• Shall keep the minutes of the Parent Advisory Board meetings.
• Shall compose the school newsletter and copy and deliver to site representatives in a timely manner
• Shall assist the Parent Advisory Board with public relations and advertising.
• Shall act as a liaison between Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool and parents/community (follow-up calls, tri-folds, etc.)
□ Maintain Family Handbook.
□ Maintain a phone list of staff, Board members, and Steering Committee
members.
• Shall continue to improve board and business operations in an ethical, productive manner
Treasurer:
• Shall meet with the Business manager biweekly to review current financial issues
• Shall report financials to the Parent Advisory Board each month
• Shall assist the President with fundraisers.
• Shall manage fundraising monies
• Shall promote grocery store card or Amazon Smile participation from all families and provide a spreadsheet at each meeting
• Shall be responsible for necessary any research for Emergency Assistance Fund applications, and present to the board.
Site Representative:
• Shall attend all home-site Parent Advisory Board meetings and prepare a site report.
• Shall act as a liaison between their sites and the Parent Advisory Board.
• Shall compose site-related newsletter to be printed in conjunction multi-site monthly newsletter.
• Shall organize activities directly related to sites.
• Shall organize and record parent extra jobs and Family Work Days.
• Shall help with site specific fundraisers
• Shall keep track of basic supplies on the school premises and request parent donations/shop for more, when needed
• Shall attend each school’s PTO and site council meetings to keep FUSD Liaison informed of issues and events at their site and be a representative of Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool at each school.
• Shall accumulate and maintain a site family directory
FUSD Liaison:
• Shall attend all Parent Advisory Board meetings.
• Shall read FUSD minutes of meetings and advise on important events affecting the Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool.
• Shall act as a liaison between FUSD and Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool with the Executive Director.
• Shall attend all FUSD Board meetings pertinent to Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool
• Shall keep the Parent Advisory Board informed of items of interest at FUSD
Community Liaison:
• Shall attend all Parent Advisory Board, administrative, and steering committee meetings
• Shall report to the Parent Advisory Board information regarding the steering committee
• Shall represent Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool at community functions
• Shall keep the Parent Advisory Board informed of events in the community of which we may want to be a part
Duties: Executive Staff and Site Director:
• Shall work with the Arizona Department of Public Health Services Bureau of Day Care Facilities, Empower programs, and complete ECERS evaluations in order to keep up with licensing, health standards, safety regulations, etc.
• Shall be responsible for the hiring and firing of certified teachers with Parent Advisory Board approval.
• Shall obtain copies of fingerprint records, First Aid and CPR certification, TB tests, trainings, other necessary forms and references of each employee and place in files.
• Shall develop curriculum guidelines with teachers and aides.
• Shall attend all preschool functions or assign a representative in her place.
• Shall be an ex-officio member of the Parent Advisory Board.
• Shall act as the liaison between staff, parents and Parent Advisory Board.
• Shall conduct staff meetings and training.
Shall participate in teacher evaluations.
• Shall encourage continuing teacher education.
• Shall be a liaison with FUSD in matters concerning individual sites.
• Shall make sure that an emergency card is on file and completed as required by the State of Arizona for each child prior to his/her attendance in class.
• Shall be at the school during scheduled hours.
• Shall assist the Parent Advisory Board with advertising and fundraisers.
• Shall supervise the staff in matters concerning classes, curriculum, discipline and other situations, which may arise.
• Shall be responsible for insurance policies and all other insurance matters.
• Shall schedule all aides for work each month.
□ Shall maintain good standing with NAC accreditation.
• Shall coordinate the purchase of supplies and books.
• Shall update class lists as necessary for teachers and the Treasurer.
• Shall keep an updated file of student registration forms.
Shall collect money and make deposits on a weekly basis.
Site Director:
• Shall maintain staff files for staff on site.
• Shall conduct evaluations of staff.
• Shall provide employment references to the Director.
• Shall schedule field trips and secure drivers for the class.
• Shall hold monthly fire drills.
• Shall evaluate children’s progress by the year-end and hold parent conferences, if requested.
• Shall be Acting Director in Director’s absence.
• Shall organize and schedule monthly parent helpers.
• Shall assist the Director in decisions concerning students, discipline and other classroom situations that may arise.
• Shall keep accurate records of family helper hours.
• Shall keep accurate records of tuition, extended care, parent aid hours and additional helper hours and report them to the business manager.
• Shall keep track of supplies and inform parents or the co-director of needed supplies when appropriate.
• Shall maintain all accreditation records pertaining to her/his site.
• Shall register students and report registrations to Director and Business
Manager.
• Shall maintain all emergency “blue” cards.
• Shall keep all immunization records.
• Shall keep an accident log.
• Shall communicate with parents, staff, and director.
• Shall disperse bills to parents, collect payment and make deposites.
Shall deliver payments to
Business Manager.
• Shall compute extended care hours and submit to Business Manager.
• Shall coordinate and report teacher and teacher aide hours to Business
Manager.
Teachers:
• Shall plan a broad curriculum following guidelines of the Director/Site
Director.
• Shall plan and direct daily activities to fulfill curriculum objectives.
• Shall be certified in infant CPR/First Aide, TB tested and fingerprinted as required by the State of Arizona.
• Shall attend staff meetings.
• Shall have Early Childhood Certification.
• Shall attend the general orientation meetings in August, staff meetings, the end-of-the-year picnic and other preschool functions.
• Shall inform the director of a pending absence and secure a substitute.
• Shall arrive 1/2 hour before class begins to set up and remain at least 1/2 hour after class ends to clean up.
• Shall comply with Arizona Department of Health Services licensing and Accreditation standards.
Teacher Aides:
• Shall assist teacher with all classroom activities.
• Shall assist teacher in the set-up of daily classes.
• Shall be responsible for clean up at the end of class including daily/weekly housekeeping duties.
• Shall serve as a substitute in teacher’s absence.
• Shall provide employment references to Director.
• Shall be certified in infant CPR/First Aide, TB tested and fingerprinted as required by the State of Arizona.
• Shall inform the Director of an impending absence and secure a substitute.
• Shall continue education when offered.
• Shall comply with Arizona Department of Health Services and Accreditation standards.
Extended Care Aides:
• Shall plan and provide daily developmentally appropriate activities for the
children.
• Shall promote positive relationships with families through daily communication.
• Shall be responsible for daily housekeeping duties.
• Shall be responsible for closing procedure at the end of the school day.
• Shall provide employment references to Director.
• Shall be certified in infant CPR/First Aide, TB tested and fingerprinted as required by the State of Arizona.
• Shall inform the Director of a pending absence and secure a substitute.
The following positions are contractual:
Business Manager:
• Shall manage all aspects of Quickbooks.
• Shall deposit funds, reconcile, transfer funds between checking and savings, and maintain relationship with business banker.
• Shall verify invoices, print checks, mail or deliver on time.
• Shall collect attendance information from teachers, enter statement charges, print statements, enter payments, make adjustments as needed,
• Shall keep current DES records in accordance with the State of Arizona and file with the State at appropriate times, calculate and enter DES charges.
• Shall maintain teacher contracts annually or as needed.
• Shall collect required employment documents, enter and maintain employee information, report all hires to website, pay employees, pay withholding liabilities, produce employer quarterly and annual tax returns, wage reports, and tax documents in a timely manner.
• Shall produce accurate monthly reports for treasurer to present at monthly meeting, create budgets, print accounts receivables for teachers.
• Shall pay to upgrade Quickbooks and pay to keep payroll current
• Shall maintain an off site backup copy and keep Quickbooks up to date.
• Shall maintain City of Flagstaff Business License
• Shall maintain Calendar of paydays
• Shall advise Parent Advisory Board regarding Tuition rates
• Shall attend meetings as needed
• Shall advise parent when their check is returned
• Shall maintain credit card file confidentiality
• Shall maintain insurance policy
• Shall maintain corporate good standing status
• Shall give statements to CPA for taxes on time.
• Shall maintain non-tax status at stores for purchases
• Shall notify director of any financial concerns
• Shall develop and maintain business plan with the Parent Advisory Board
Grant Writer:
• Shall be familiar with Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool Parent Advisory Board goals and plans.
• Shall research appropriate grant funding sources, gather information with Director, Business Manager, Treasurer and President and submit applications.
• Shall administer grant monies and follow through on grant administration
• Any person completing the duties may receive 10% of the grant’s value as payment if appropriate.
□ Shall supervise, track, and write all grant reports.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE 1: Name
The name of the corporation shall be Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool Inc. (hereafter referred to as the school.)
ARTICLE II: Purpose
The school is a non-profit, non-discriminating cooperative school, organized and administered by parents with teachers in order to fill the need for such a school in the Flagstaff community. The school is licensed by the State of Arizona and has two purposes:
A. To further the social, physical, emotional and intellectual growth of the preschool child by providing him/her with regular association with other children his/her own age, under guidance of trained teachers.
B. To educate parents concerning the needs and growth patterns of children and techniques of working with children through participation in the classroom.
ARTICLE III: Membership
A. Child
1. The child should be 3 years old and potty trained by September 1st to coincide with the Public School calendar. 2 1/2year olds, if potty trained, can enroll if they are developmentally comfortable with preschool.
2. In accordance with the State of Arizona health regulation, immunization records are required upon entrance to school.
3. Any and all other entrance requirements specified by the State Department of Social Welfare or established by preschool for the best interest of the school must be met.
4. The admittance of special needs students shall be individually considered by the Parent Advisory Board.
B. Adult
1. Must be the parent or legal guardian of the enrolled child.
2. Must fulfill fundraising responsibility and job assignment.
3. Must pay all fees and tuition by given due dates.
C. All grievances concerning the operation and administration of the school shall be brought to the attention of the Parent Advisory Board. Academic grievances shall be brought to the attention of the class teacher or school director.
D. If reasons for non-compliance with the above requirements have not been previously discussed with the Parent Advisory Board, it will be cause for notification of intent to terminate membership. If notification is ignored, termination will follow.
ARTICLE IV: Fees and Finance
A. Fees
1. All fees are due and payable on the first day of each month. Fees shall be delinquent if not paid by the 16th of the month, after which there will be a late charge of $15.00. If payment cannot be made on time, the treasurer must be notified by the 10th. In extenuating circumstances, the treasurer will work with the member on a payment schedule.
2. Failure to pay tuition by the end of the month in which it is due will result in termination of membership until the amount is paid in full. In case of hardship, special arrangements can be made with approval of the Parent Advisory Board.
3. A scholarship fund shall be made available to members who have undergone extreme hardship and have obtained approval of the Parent Advisory Board.
B. Finance
1. Checks for the school may be signed by any two of the following executive officers: Treasurer, President, Secretary, or Director.
2. An auditor shall render within 60 days from the close of said school’s fiscal year, a complete and full audit for the previous fiscal year.
3. Authorization of payment of expenditures not allocated in the budget or over $50.00 are subject to Parent Advisory Board approval.
4. The treasurer will give a monthly written report to the Parent Advisory Board.
C. Budget
1. There shall be an annual budget prepared by the Parent Advisory Board.
2. A majority vote approves the budget at the September general meeting.
ARTICLE V: Meetings
A. Orientation meetings shall be held near the beginning of the school year. Notice of special meetings shall be posted. Notices shall specify the place, day and hour of such meeting, as well as the general nature of the business to be transacted.
B. Meetings shall be held monthly or as needed at the discretion of the acting board. Meetings shall be open to the general membership, and all board members, staff and the director must be notified in advance.
C. Motions shall be carried by the simple majority of those in attendance
D. “Roberts Rules of Order Revised’ shall govern all meetings unless otherwise provided by law, the articles of incorporation, or these bylaws.
ARTICLE VI: Nominations and Elections
A. Members of the Parent Advisory Board shall be elected for one year in April. Those elected shall assume office following the close of the school year in May. Elected positions shall be President, Secretary and Treasurer, and Vice-President and Grant Writer, when applicable.
B. Nominating Committee
1. The President shall organize an open nomination for the new board members.
2. Responsibilities of the committee shall be:
a. to obtain a list of all members willing to serve on the board.
b. to present at the membership meeting a slate which will have been printed in the school newsletter as well.
C. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor with the consent of the nominee.
D. Elections shall take place during the April meeting or an earlier time if circumstances require it. Majority vote rules.
ARTICLE VII. Parent Advisory Board
A. The Parent Advisory Board consists of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Grant Writer, Site Representative, Director and other officers deemed necessary to run the school.
B. Two-thirds of the Parent Advisory Board shall constitute a quorum. A simple majority of the quorum shall be considered binding to transact business.
C. Tendering a resignation from school membership shall automatically constitute termination as a member of the Parent Advisory Board.
D. Recall: Any member of the Parent Advisory Board or staff, may be recalled by two- thirds vote of the membership. The recall must be initiated by a petition signed by 25% of the members.
E. Elected members may consecutively hold the same office on the Parent Advisory Board for more than one year.
F. The Director is an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the board.
G. Problems regarding administration of the school shall be handled by the Parent Advisory Board. Subject to the approval of membership, the Parent Advisory Board shall fix salaries and hire or discharge a salaried employee.
H. Each board member shall be responsible for the upkeep of individual procedure manual. Each member will then pass their manual on to their successor. Each board member will be responsible for training their successor and will serve in an advisory capacity for one year after their term expires.
ARTICLE VIII: Duties of the Parent Advisory Board
A. President: Shall be the chief executive officer of the school, represent the school, preside at all business and Parent Advisory Board meetings, and, with the consent of the other elected members, oversee all problems the school’s administration and operation.
B. Secretary: Shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the school, be responsible for all corporate recording, be responsible of supply of all printed material, be responsible for the school newsletter, and will also be school historian.
C. Vice-President: Shall share duties of President, represent the President in his/her absence, and support all Parent Advisory Board members.
D. Treasurer: Shall manage all fundraisers and fundraiser money and shall promote grocery store card fundraisers.
E. Grant Writer: Shall seek out available funding/equipment/materials in the community and beyond for support of the school. Will be responsible for submitting necessary paperwork to Parent Advisory Board for approval, then submitting to appropriate institution.
F. Site Representative: Shall be informed of workings of each Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool site and report to Multi-site meetings monthly. Shall serve as voice of each Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool site to parents via the monthly newsletter. Shall organize site activities as necessary.
G. FUSD Liaison: Shall serve as representative to FUSD school site and the FUSD as a whole. Shall support all communications and meetings with FUSD.
Community Resources for Families (cont. on next page)
Parenting Arizona site:
Flagstaff Public Library site:
Family Resource Center website:
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Flagstaff Community Resource List
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Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool Inc. . . . . hourly emergency care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 779-1441
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2019-2020 Phone List
School Sites
Marshall 779-1441
Fax 773-4035
Puente de Hozho 226-1209
Fax 773-4100
Duck Pond Site . . . . . . . . . . .774-3491
Killip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 773-4080
ext. 2425
Teachers
Roxanne Esquivel . . . . 928-380-4666
Julie Harris . . . . . .928-310-4913
Janice Haines . . . . . . . 928-853-6762
Rocio Rendon . . .. . . 928-221-8866
Erin Steddom . . . . . .928-380-3438
Liz Taylor . . .. . . 928-890-9876
Sara DePinte . . . . . . . . 928-856-2728
Stephen Riek . . . . . . . . .928-919-9621
Samantha Hancock . . . 928-607-4811
Rosayn Nez .. . . . . . . .. 928-660-2277
Executive Director
Elizabeth Taylor
928-890-9876
elizabeth.m.taylor@nau.edu
President
Carrie Eberly
carriecultra@
Vice President
Jessica Housholder
jhousholder@
Secretary- Website
Karina Sampson and Mikey Slattery
karinaandmikey@
Stephen Riek
stephen.riek@
Secretary
open
Treasurer
Emma Wharton
emmacwharton@
Site Representative @ Puente de Hozho
open
Site Representative @ Marshall
Amee Byers
ameebyers@
Site Representative @ Duck Pond Site
open
Site Representative @ Killip
Stephen Riek
stephenriek@
FUSD & Community Liaison
Jen Burgoon
jburgoon@
Andi Rogers
andisrogers@
Business Manager
Kim Alessi, Staff Accountant
kim@
Johanna Klomann, CPA, PLLC
419 W Aspen Ave
Flagstaff AZ 86001
Ph; 928-774-8995
Fax: 866-706-1017
Emergency:
Emergency 911
Az Dept. of Child Safety . . . . . . . . . . 1-888-SOS-CHILD (767-2445)
Police – Non-emergency 774-1414
Poison Control 800-362-0101
Flagstaff Medical Center 779-3366
Flagstaff Health Department 522-7830
Kim Alessi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 774-8995
FUSD Maintenance . . . . . . .773-4190
Tax ID. Number . . . . . . . . 86 0200267
Other Important Numbers:
ADHS Licensing Department 774-2707
FUSD General Information 527-6000
City of Flagstaff 774-5281
DPS Fingerprint 602-223-2041 x 2279
Flagstaff Public Library 779-7670
FUSD Fax 527-6015
McCullough Insurance (Bunny) 774-3345
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Health Services (Medical /Dental)
Servicios de Salud ( Medico/Dental)
Mental Health Services
Servicios de Salud Mental
Child Care
Cuidado de Ninos
Eduction / Educacion
Housing (Rent/Utility Assistance)
Vivienda (Renta/Asistencia con Utilidades
Shelters
Refugio Temporal
Food/Servicios de Comida
Transportation /Transportacion
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