| The
Vancouver Child Study Centre Preschool Society
(VCSCPS) is the governing body of the Vancouver
Child Study Centre (VCSC). Its executive is
elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and
all parents with a child enrolled at the VCSC are
automatically members of the Society. It is
important that parents attend the AGM in order to
participate in the decision making for the coming
school year. The Society meets on a regular basis
with executive members, class representatives and
all interested parents. As an independent
preschool, the VCSCPS is entirely responsible for
the preschool’s operation and budget.
Parents are
encouraged to become involved in the VCSC
activities, both through VCSCPS sponsored
activities and through classroom involvement.
Teachers welcome parental assistance on field
trips. Also, parents may have a special
profession, interest or skill which can be
integrated into the daily program. In the past,
doctors have become involved in sunscreen talks,
dentists in tooth care demonstrations
(including a field
trip to the dentist’s office) and a parent came to
play his violin. Teachers can always use
assistance with special crafts.
Teachers hold
individual conferences with the parents at the
VCSC twice a year. Both parents are encouraged to
attend. The conferences
are scheduled so
that the parents and teacher can have a relaxed,
uninterrupted discussion about the child, sharing
information which will allow a more sensitive
understanding of the child and goals to be set for
the child and family.
Home visits
for new families. Prior to classes starting
the teachers will schedule a home visit with each
of the children and their parents. This one-on-one
visit affords the teacher the opportunity to begin
to learn about the child in a non-threatening
atmosphere, as well as to become aware of special
interests or needs of the children. Children who
have a chance to meet their teacher prior to the
start of classes find the first week less
overwhelming. It is also a chance for the teacher
to answer questions and for the parents to add any
information about the child or
 family
which would be useful for the teacher to know. The
teacher will contact parents by telephone a week
or two before school begins to arrange a time for
the home visit.
Class
Representatives. At the beginning of the
school year the teachers will ask a parent in each
of their classes to serve as the Class Rep. The
Class Rep. is someone who is at the school
frequently so they are readily available to other
parents, as well as in touch with the teacher.
Class Reps. are also directors of the VCSCPS and
are expected to attend the monthly VCSCPS
meetings, and keep class parents up-to-date if
necessary.
Fundraising
is an integral part of school activities and
provides funds for the "extras" at the school.
Parents are encouraged to participate in
fundraising activities, for both the social aspect
and the fundraising support. |
