Parent Participation:
Meekins is a non-profit corporation run completely by the parent membership as a cooperative preschool. The school belongs to its members, and parents assume an active part in the management of the school’s affairs. The Board of Directors is made up of the Director (who also is a teacher) and parents elected annually by the membership. The Board hires the teaching staff, establishes the educational policy, formulates the budget, and generally supervises the business of the school. As part of a cooperative school, parents have a unique opportunity to work closely with the teachers in the classroom, to help create the kind of learning environment they would like for their children, and to participate in an active parent-education program.
As parents participate, they find that one of the prime benefits of the cooperative school is that it offers them an educational experience. They can observe their own child interacting with a group of youngsters the same age. They are able to observe the manner in which an objective and sympathetic professional teacher works with the children. They can see their child enjoying equipment and materials in a variety of ways. They can work creatively with a group where parents can make their influence count, and provide excellent help and supervision in an atmosphere that offers children a warm and sympathetic environment, and a marvelous variety of skills, backgrounds, and activities. Finally, they can share in the pride and enjoyment that their child gets from his or her preschool day.
