As a co-op, parent participation is the cornerstone of Slippery Fish. Our community of families works both in and out of the classroom to make Slippery Fish a wonderful place to learn and grow.
Every family participates by holding a co-op job, by engaging as a parent teacher in the classroom under the guidance of a professional teacher, and by participating in parent education and parent connection sessions. Co-op jobs include, among others, the parent-run Board of Directors, the Garden & Science Committee, Schedulers, and the Organization & Operations Team.
By participating in the school and classroom together, we nurture connections and foster safe and stimulating environments that sustain our children and families.
We measure Parent Participation in the following ways:
- Co-op Job: Perform your assigned job and fill out the monthly check-in form
- Parent Meetings: Attend at least 80% of monthly meetings (currently held online)
- Community Service (complete two of the following):
- Volunteer for a Sat. a.m. “Deep Clean”
- Facilitate a Parent Connection Series
- Parent Connection Series
- Meet regularly with other parents around a shared interest, hobby or goal. Sessions run by parents, for parents.
- Past series include: Exercise Accountability, D&D Group, Home Renovations 101, Mindfulness, Anti-bias Education through Children’s Literature, Respectful Parenting
- Join at least 1 series over the school year
- Teaching Parents (in-person classes only)
- Be on time and symptom free to your assigned work day
- Stay through the entirety of your shift
- Communicate to ensure your shift is covered if you are not able to work
- Be available for standby shifts
Note: our Parent Guide sets forth a more detailed explanation of all our requirements and policies.
A co-op preschool environment is not for everyone. It requires time that many parents don’t have and a tolerance for different perspectives that arise in the process of forming and sustaining a community. However, for those families who can commit to the demands of a co-op, there are significant rewards, such as:
- Learning about your child’s unique self alongside their peers
- Learning about yourself as a parent in the context of your peers
- Gaining an intimate window into your child’s first learning experiences and friendships
- Creating lasting friendships with other families in our city and community
