Valley Drive Cooperative Parent Responsibilities
Parents at Valley Drive Cooperative participate in all aspects of the school experience, from serving as teacher’s assistants in the classroom (co-oping) to running the Board of Directors to fundraising.
Co-op Responsibilities
Co-opers arrive early to help the teachers set up, prepare special projects, and more. During the day, they help the teachers with projects, play with the children, and read books. They also assist children with self-help skills, such as going to the bathroom, putting on and taking off shoes, and playing outside. After school, co-opers help clean up.
Training is provided at the beginning of the school year, but here are some general co-op responsibilities:
- Arrive half an hour early and help the teachers get the school ready, prepare special projects, etc.
- Help the teachers during the day as needed (helping kids with projects, playing, reading books)
- Assist children with self-help skills (going to the bathroom, diaper changes for younger children, putting on and taking off shoes, hats,gloves, etc.)
- Play outside
- Stay after school to clean up
A few things to note:
- Every parent who works in the classroom as a co-oper is required to undergo a criminal history check, TB test, and other formalities.
- Non-VDPS siblings are not permitted at school on your co-op day.
- You are responsible for co-oping in the classroom on your assigned days. In the event of illness, you are responsible for finding a substitute.
- Class cannot be held unless the requisite number of co-opers are present.
Other Parent Responsibilities
- VDPS parents are essential to the co-op experience because they serve on the Board of Directors or on a Committee in some capacity during their tenure.
- Parents attend two mandatory general membership meetings per year (September and March).
- Parents participate in two clean-up nights (scheduled monthly) and two parent education sessions during the year.
- Parents contribute to fundraising efforts by making donations, preparing food, serving on the Fundraising Committee, etc.