AFAC Gives Special Thanks to AUCP
The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) spotlighted AUCP in their June 3, 2015 newsletter: AUCP Children Create Emergency Food Kits
In December and May children from Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool (AUCP) stuffed Emergency Food Kits (EFKs) for AFAC. Each EFK supplies one day’s worth of food for two people and they are distributed to clients with immediate needs by Arlington County social workers. The preschool’s outreach committee was seeking hands-on service projects to engage the children and creating EFKs was a great fit. Parents were asked to donate the specific food items required and then each of the classes took turns adding 1-2 items, such as rice or tuna fish, to the bags. Checklists of the EFK items using pictures and words were also created, which enhanced the children’s learning experience. After the EFKs were compiled, families were invited to attend an optional field trip to AFAC to deliver the food and learn more about AFAC’s work. In December AUCP donated 15 EFKs totaling 141 pounds. This spring AUCP partnered with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, which houses the preschool, to donate 40 EFKs and additional food totaling 405 pounds. During their tour on May 30, the children got to weigh themselves on the big scale and discovered that they collectively weighed less than their donation! They learned about “food insecurity” and how AFAC serves nearly 2,200 of our neighbors each week. Special thanks to AFAC volunteer Donna Budway who showed the kids around the facility.
AUCP Director Susan Parker Wins 2015 PCPI District Award
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Parent Cooperative Preschools International (PCPI) has awarded our beloved Director, Susan Parker, a 2015 District Award! This is a tremendous honor and so well deserved. We couldn’t be more fortunate to have such a wonderful director leading our school. Thank you, Susan, for all that you do for AUCP!
Parent Cooperative Preschools International (PCPI) is a non-profit international council representing more than 50,000 families and teachers. PCPI held their annual meeting in Vancouver, B.C. on April 23-26, 2015 where it was announced that Susan was the recipient of this year’s District Award. Here is the write-up in the program: “As Director of AUCP since 2005, Susan Parker has helped build an exceptionally strong parent cooperative that serves the needs of children, parents, and teachers. Her leadership has fostered a community of learners that focuses on child-directed, play-based learning, which she continually strives to enhance through new initiatives. For example, she has made outdoor learning a priority through the development of a new program at a local nature center, enhancements to AUCP’s playground, and incorporating the school garden into the curriculum. In addition, her tireless dedication has helped AUCP maintain a close-knit, cooperative community benefitting all involved.” |
Timber Tuesdays Spotlighted in NSTA Blog
Peggy Ashbrook wrote a wonderful article about AUCP’s Timber Tuesdays program titled “Preschool Experiences In a Winter Forest” in her March 15, 2015 blog entry as part of the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA).
Preschool Experiences In a Winter Forest by Peggy Ashbrook (NSTA Blog – March 15, 2015)