Elite – best, cream of the crop, influential, leaders… yes, I hope my children are elite! I would love it if the preschool COULD go back to the old way – moms are exceptional educators. This amazing group of parents should be praised for keeping this preschool going – I personally cannot thank them enough. From the bottom of my heart I want this preschool (or Bt Beginn.) to be available to all preschoolers! Nothing will make our future brighter than making our kids, ALL our kids the ELITE!

Back in the "Olden" Days is right maybe you should step into a Kindergarten classroom "now a days." Maybe then you'll see! I am so glad your son was able to become a doctor but not everyone has that ability.

Those critics of Well, shouldn’t be so harsh. Well and the preschool are representative of a growing problem. I am astounded by the number of fund-raisers there are. Everyone needs money, and no one has any to give. My heart goes out to Well; her child is one that fell “between the cracks.” I’d be angry too. The preschool is a wonderful thing, and it’s too bad there isn’t enough funding for every child to attend. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much you want to do something when you don’t have the money to do it. Blame does not lay with the preschool or Well.

if they learn so much in preschool now adays, what is there for them to learn in kindergarten. Back in the "olden" days when I had my kids, they went right to kindergarten at age 5. Now my son is a Dr. Guess he didn't suffer from not having a Co-op Nursery school. And to the person commenting about "well" changing her priorities, How do you know what her priorities are. Being a single mom doesn't leave much room for anything else.

I am the president of the parent board for the preschool and a parent of a current student, My family by any means "ELITE" and we struggle every week to make ends meet, HOWEVER, my child's education is one of the most important things on my mind right now and My husband and I do whatever we can to provide this education. I am also concerned about the future of this school. It is a great program and my child loves it! We need to the community support to keep it open. This alternative to BB needs to be available in this community. How do we know there will be funding for BB in the future years. We need to be responsible for educating our kids at this level, myself I don't want to count on the government!!!

I have three chidren. Two who did get into the Bright Beginings Program and my youngest did not. If it wasn't for the co-op preschool I would have a sad little girl. She loves school and I can't beleive how much she is learning. We are only two months into it. I volunteer every week in the classroom and the consistency this teacher has with three year olds is just awesome. There is no way parent volunteers could pull off what a teacher is able to do. It's a great program! Maybe a goal for next year could be to fnd a way to help those that can't afford it have the opportunity.

Know I know it's true, some people can find a way to complain about everything! To Well, maybe if you changed your priorities you could have found a way to afford preschool. My son learned a lot at co-op preschool and is doing great this year in Kindergaten. A Huge thanks to Mrs. Olsen. I hope you have a great turn out and continue providing a great learning opportunity for the children in Minonk.

A correction on my phone number: It is 815-228-2321 cell or 309-432-2352 @ home. Thanks!

As former coop president and parent of 3 coop kids, I would like to comment. Miss Gloria's comments were exactly right. Having a dedicated teacher has greatly improved the quality of the kid's education. Going back to a parent taught coop wouldn't eliminate tuition. Insurance and fees would still need to be paid. Minonk Coop tuition is well below the "elite" rating and a good value for the money. Until "WELL" convinces the governor to pay coop tuition for you the decision to pay for your kids (or not) is up to you. Thanks to all who have supported our local preschool.

TO WELL, NO NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD IT OR AS YOU PUT IT "THE ELITE" BUT I KNOW THAT MY DAUGHTER LOVES IT AND LEARNS ALOT FROM MRS OLSON. I WOULD PUT HER IN IT WHETHER I CAN AFFORD IT OR NOT BECAUSE ITS SOMETHING SHE ENJOYS AND IS LEARNING FROM. AND THEY DID RAISE TUTION THIS YEAR TO HELP WITH THE COSTS!

it is my "opinion" that this coop is only for the kids who's parents can afford it anwyay. The elite so they say!! So maybe they just need to raise the tuition since they can afford it. As a single mother I could not afford the tuition and bright beginnings was full so my son didn't get either. But he had an excellent day care provider and I as well worked with him. Or get on the govenor to make more funds available so the BB and Early childhood classes can handle more kids. OR get the preschool State Funded!!!

Yes,it would be ideal to take turns teaching, but if I don't go to work how will I pay my bills? Is PERHAPS or FORMER COOP PARENT going to support me? It is costly for this whole operation. I firmly believe that all children should be eligible for the Bright Beginnings program that is funded by the state. Afterall, when my child goes to first grade, he will not be screened but it is mandatory for him to be there. Thank you to Miss Gloria for your support. Lets hope you are among the majority and not the minority. Please help insure our future.

I firmly believe having a teacher teach the Preschool is a great idea! The teacher has the dependability that many parents that are unavailable have. Many parents work full time jobs that do not allow them to take days off to "take turns" teaching preschool. This in turn puts more accountability for the stay at home moms that can and do teach. With a teacher in the classroom they are able to provide a curriculum that is consistent with the Bright Beginnings. The teacher can also provide consistent structured activities and consistent discipline. Consistency is the key with 3 and 4 year olds! I for one will be attending the fundraiser and I hope many others will too!

Ticket Prices Adults : $6 ea Child : $4 ea

I agree with "perhaps" when my kids were little I taught and it was fun being there with my children and spending time with them. Maybe you should rethink the way you do things and go back to the way it used to be.

They should go back to the old way where the parents took turns teaching instead of actually paying a teacher. When my kids went, i took my turn and taught. i am sure paying a teacher isn't cheap.

How much are the tickets for the dinner?

Submit your comments