Dear City Council of Menlo Park,
Thank you for your service to our city. I understand that renewal of the Menlo-Atherton Co-Operative Nursery School lease is on your agenda tonight and am writing to encourage you to renew the contract and allow the school to continue serving the families of Menlo Park. All three of our children attended 3 years of preschool at the Co-Op for a total of 9 class-years. Our time at the Co-Op was meaningful -- it created lasting memories and relationships for our children, it enhanced our parenting skills, and it created a wonderful sense of community amongst the families that attended together.
Parents are required to work 1 day/week in the classroom per child enrolled, to attend monthly adult parent-education classes, and to serve on a committee supporting the school. This parent participation benefits both families and the wider community in many ways:> Parent-education improves parenting skills in the immediate family> Parent-education and weekly volunteering help parents become better volunteers in the wider community/school districts by learning to work with the wide bell-curve of "normal" child behavior> Co-op parents go on to become experienced classroom and administrative school volunteers in Menlo Park School District and other schools around the area
> Parent participation knits together the community of parents and children, forging close relationships that last a lifetime
The Menlo-Atherton Co-Operative Nursery School has educated generations of families and countless children of our community. It provides a low-cost option for high quality preschool and is a treasure worth saving. Please renew the lease and allow the Co-Op to continue its mission of providing a local, affordable, quality preschool program for the families of Menlo Park.
With appreciation for your consideration,Sidney Marks628 Olive Street, Menlo Park
