Hello Council Members,
I am writing in support of the renewal of the lease for the Menlo-Atherton Co-op, and to share my perspective on what a treasure this school is for the community.
I myself attended the Co-op in the mid 1980s, and have always had fond memories of my time there, and the friends and families from the Co-op that continue to be in my life. I never expected my own children would get to attend the school, nor did I expect to move back to Menlo Park, but life brought my husband and I here, from Venice Beach where we had been living, in 2019.
Whenever I mention to old friends that my kids now go to the Co-op they get a huge kick out it, big smiles. To the people that grew up here from my generation, many attended the Co-op, and know what a special place it was then. I get asked, "Is it the same?" to which the answer is, yes, and as a parent now it is even more valuable than I could ever imagine.
I am a yoga and meditation teacher, as well as visual artist, and my husband is a visual artist, designer and project manager. We dont exactly fit into the extremely wealthy demographic so prevalent in the city now. We moved here to be close to family as we started our own family and to be in a city that was more friendly to raising children than Los Angeles. We rent in downtown Menlo Park, and have been making it work financially so that we can stay here, but many times in the past 2-3 years have had to consider moving elsewhere to sustain ourselves more fully. Every time we have come up against this decision, a huge consideration has been the Co-op. Not only have we made friends there, we are a part of the community, and it is like gold to have the people we have in our lives from the Co-op, witnessing and co-teaching each others children and growing alongside as parents. When we had my daughter in 2022, we were having a very difficult time with a colicky baby and needy two year old brother, co-inciding with the steep decline in my father in-law’s health. The parents at the Co-op, whom we had just met, set up a meal train for us twice a week for two months bringing us home cooked meals and deliveries to help. It was so touching to be cared for like that, and inspiring for us to step up and help others when they needed it. This is happening all the time in ways big and small at the Co-op. People helping each other out. Honestly this place has really restored my faith in humanity. Its part of the philosophy here, and is taught and passed down and around. I can not imagine what our life or experience here in Menlo Park would be like without the Co-op.
Not only are the kids getting nourished, and learning how to play, develop social and emotionally, but the parents are learning and experiencing the real value of participation, and engagement with their community.
Real riches....
I feel grateful to have been able to experience the Co-op. Ive become a better parent without a doubt because of what Ive learned from being in the classroom and part of the community. I feel like it would be a tremendous loss for Menlo Park, now and generations to come, if it is no longer able to be an affordable community school.
You see the shift in attitudes when people pay top dollar around here, and expect to be served, given their moneys worth. At the Co-op, the price allows the doors to be open to just about everyone. But you have to work for it- go to the meetings, be there, fully present on your work day, show up to the fundraisers. And through this parents really get to learn the value of civic engagement, the important work that you all are committed to, and acquire a mindset that continues beyond their time at the Co-op to serve the community.
Thank you for your service to the City of Menlo Park and thank you for your thoughtful consideration of extending the lease for this beloved community school.
Katie Sinnott
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www.katiesinnott.yoga
