FAQs
Technology in the classroom
Q: What is acceptable usage of my cell phone in the classroom?
A: Parents may have their cell phones on their person during school hours for emergency use only (e.g. communications from other children’s childcare provider). To minimize classroom disruption, phones should be on vibrate. If it is necessary to answer a call, the parent should step into the hallway and ask the TL to assist in the classroom to maintain mandatory adult/student ratios.
In school duties
Q: I just got pregnant, how do I handle my commitments?
A: Congratulations- you’re newly pregnant! Now you’re wondering how to juggle your Meekins co-op duties and your pregnancy. There are several ways for Mommies-to-be to complete their co-op responsibilities, depending on their energy level and preference. You can choose to front-load your co-op days to get as much of your requirement finished before the baby arrives. You can use a paid aide to fulfill TL or Floater shifts. If you are having a difficult pregnancy or are on bed rest, you can ask the board to allow you to use a paid aide for your classroom duties as well. If Dad’s schedule permits (and he completes all the necessary paperwork) he can fulfill the family co-op duties. If you’d prefer to wait until after the baby is born to work your shifts, you can use the Meekins babysitting club.
Q: I have other children, how do I handle my commitments?
A: Many Meekins families have younger children at home. If you do not have childcare, you can choose to join the Meekins babysitting club. You can also use paid aides to fill your TL and Floater duties.
Q: What if my kid is sick the night before I’m scheduled for co-op duty? What do I do?
A: First, you should send out an email to the Meekins Yahoo Group to see if anyone can pick up your shift. Next, immediately begin making phone calls to find a sub. First ask families in your child’s class if they are able to switch dates with you. You can then move onto the paid aide list. This is a situation where you can use a paid aide whether you are assigned to be Floater, TL, or in the classroom.
Q: That list for Floater and TL responsibilities looks long, I feel overwhelmed.
A: The safety of our children is the number one responsibility for all parents, teachers and staff on duty. In addition, the Floater and TL are also tasked with helping to maintain the cleanliness of the school. The goal is tidying and sanitizing surfaces. Meekins pays for a cleaning service twice a week. Do your best to complete the tasks assigned, but if you are low on time use your judgment on which items can be skipped for the day. If you are anxious about your first Floater or TL shift, feel free to come in and shadow someone in school before your assigned day.
Family Jobs
Q: If I want to be more involved what can I do?
A: Meekins wouldn’t be the community it is without the huge involvement of the parents.
Besides all the regular responsibilities the member families have (in-school jobs, family job, parent maintenance obligations), there is always more work to be done! Helping out at the social/fundraising events is always appreciated; from setting-up, clearing up, bringing food, etc. We also have volunteer committees that are essential to making Meekins great, but are not formal family jobs. Some examples are the Green Committee, and the Social Responsibility Committee. The Green Committee is tasked with making changes in the school to make it more environmentally friendly. They have worked with the teachers to decrease our consumption of paper products and introduced the recycling bins you find in every classroom. They worked with
the Virginia licensing office to certify we could change our cleaning solution from bleach to vinegar based. The Social Responsibility Committee has helped do various good works throughout the year, such as collecting money for Haiti, supplies for the Embry Shelter, and food for local families in need during the holidays. These projects have given the children a glimpse of taking care of the people around you, while also giving Meekins more exposure in the Vienna community. If you would like to participate in any of these committees or are interested in starting a new program, please contact the president to get started.
Q: How much time should family jobs take?
A: Different jobs take different amounts of time. Some have concentrated efforts at certain times of year and others have work at a consistent pace throughout the year. It averages out to around 10 hours a month.
Q: Some jobs seem easier than others, why?
A: The grass is always greener on the other side. Some jobs appear easier on paper than they really are. J For example, you might think the job of getting supplies is fairly easy. However, the amount of time it takes throughout the year to get all the supplies needed for the teachers/school can be considerable. There are some jobs that are designed to be easier. These jobs are meant for parents with two children in the school. The school tries to give those families an easier second job.
Q: I feel lost with all this information, who should I talk to?
A: Feel free to ask anyone, we are a very friendly community. Also, every new family should be assigned a Buddy family. This person/family is there to help you along the way and can answer any question you have. If for some reason you did not get assigned a Buddy family or you have forgotten your Buddy, please contact the Membership Coordinator. Another resource you have is your class representative. They are there to help the entire class have a smooth year. If they don’t have the answer, they can lead you to someone who does.
Q: My job description doesn’t explain well what I’m supposed to do? Where can I get more info?
A: First of all, we apologize for this lack of information. We rely on the previous parents in your job to describe the job role and responsibility. Sometimes those parents have not done an adequate description. The president is currently working on updating all the job descriptions. If you have any recommendations on a description for your specific job, please talk to the president to help with the process.
Membership
Q: How do you decide which families get in?
A: At full capacity, Meekins can enroll 14 students in the M-2 class; 15 students in the M-3 class; 16 students in the M-4 class; and 12 students in the M-5 class. It is Meekins policy to accept current families first (families that currently have children attending Meekins,) followed by alumni, and then Emmanus church members. Member families are selected by the Membership Coordinator and the Teacher Director. Selection of member families is based on criteria which furthers the purposes of the Cooperative, and is not based on race, national origin, or religion. Meekins does not exclude children with special needs if we can provide a safe, supportive environment.
Miscellaneous
Q: The kids seem to wash their hands a lot. Why?
A: Washing hands is perhaps the most effective control measure for preventing the spread of communicable and infectious illness. We want to keep our kids and families healthy, as well as teach good hygiene habits. For this reason, the kids wash their hands frequently. Obvious reasons are after bathroom use, after a big sneeze, or blowing their nose. In the M4 and M5’s, the kids prepare their own snack almost daily. Immediately before they go to the cooking table, they must wash their hands. This can potentially take a few trips to the bathroom if they visit another center, sneeze, and rub their nose, etc. on their way to the cooking table. Once they are done “cooking” they must wash their hands again before playing with others. We follow the set of hand washing standards developed by the Child Day Care Council which is
a division of the Virginia Department of Social Services. The detailed procedure can be found posted in our bathrooms and you receive a copy in your package at Back to School Night.
Q: What is Meekins snack policy?
A: Meekins snack time is intended to teach children appropriate snack habits and encourage socialization with other children. Meekins is a peanut-free and nut-free school. Additional food allergy restrictions are classroom-specific; parents will be notified via the teacher and/or class representative if needed.
Each day, the parent working in the classroom will provide a fruit or vegetable for the class, teacher, teacher’s aide, the Floater, and the TL. The fruit or vegetable should be brought to school with no additional prep needed (fruit should be washed, cut, and ready to serve.) Meekins
will provide a carbohydrate such as crackers, pretzels, trail mix, muffins, etc. Children are given a . cup starch (seconds are not allowed), and as much fruit or vegetable as they would like (until it’s gone).
Please refer to the handbook for more information. Virginia preschool licensing standards prohibit certain foods from being used for snack for children under three years old.
Communication with Teachers
Q: What is the best way to communicate with my child’s teacher between conferences?
A: The teachers are usually available before or after school if you have something quick to discuss. Since those times of the school day can be hectic, if you have something lengthy to discuss, it’s best to schedule a time with the teacher outside of regular school hours. The teachers are also happy to communicate via email if that is convenient for you. You can also expect to receive weekly emails from your teacher describing what the children did in class that week, what they are doing in the upcoming week, what the children are learning, and how they are reacting to the experiences.
Q: My child is not potty trained now, but I hope to accomplish this during the school year. How will the school handle this challenging time?
A: Let the teachers know when you begin training and any specifics on how you are doing it (i.e. Does your boy sit or stand in front of the toilet?). The teachers are very supportive during this time, applauding successes and not making a big deal on “misses.” They will frequently ask your child during the day if they need to go to the bathroom. And if they do, an adult will accompany them through the entire process, helping them dress if necessary and ensuring they wash their hands before returning to the classroom.
Questions specific for Twos
Q: What can I expect my child’s experience to be in his/her first year?
A: For most 2-year olds, this is their first experience in a class environment for a long period of time without their parent present. Each child will adjust differently. Some will have separation anxiety, others will have sharing issues. The teacher is qualified to deal with each issue in a caring and positive manner. The children will become familiar with the routine of class meeting, story time, music, and snack time, with times in between to visit various play stations. This year is about gaining independence and yet learning to follow the rules and routines of the class and that those rules are for everyone.
Q: What do I do if my child cries every day at drop-off?
A: This is completely normal for children this age. Separation anxiety can occur anywhere between 12 months and 3 years old. This is simply your child expressing fear that after you leave, you will be gone forever. If your child is crying, it is best not to prolong your departure. Reassure your child that you will see them soon and give a quick kiss and hug and cheerfully say goodbye. Although it may go against your instinct, you should remain happy and firm, lest the child “read” your reaction and reinforce what they are feeling. If necessary, hand off the child to the teacher or aide—they will be in good hands. J
Q: How do the preschool teachers/aides handle crying children?
A: The teachers will treat your child with care and compassion. Many children will want to be held and snuggled. Someone will provide them this comfort. Some children prefer to be left alone. The teachers will respect this and leave your child some space. The teachers will also try to engage the child in an interesting activity so that they can move past their anxiety while having a positive experience. Your child will never be shushed, sent aside, or shamed into not crying —it is OK for them to work out their frustration in this way. The majority of children will realize that crying will not change the situation, and stop within a few minutes. This is a crucial step in their development and they will not suffer any long term effects.
Recommendations to the Board for Changes
Handbook addition
- Technology in the Classroom: Smartphones, such as Blackberries and iPhones, can be a useful tool for teachers in the classroom. Common uses include: the clock feature which allows teachers to set customized alarms to signify the end of an activity period; the camera feature which can be used for documenting classroom events or recording images for future topics of conversation; the text/email feature for brief communications between teachers during school hours; and the memo feature to note issues that arise during the day that need to be addressed later. We also need to remember that teachers have families too and may have an emergency with their family that needs to be addressed. During School hours, Meekins teachers and staff are to use Smartphones for school use and emergencies with their families.
