Parents serve as teacher’s assistants (co-opers) in the classroom on a rotating basis. The co-oping parent arrives early, provides the class snack for the day, and works closely with the teacher to facilitate each child’s learning through play. Since co-oping parents are teacher’s assistants, they are essential in maintaining the adult-to-student ratios required for state licensing.
Parents can expect to co-op between nine and 13 days per year, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, for each child attending Rock Spring. Parents or the child’s legal guardian are required to fulfill at least 50% of the co-oping days that are assigned during the school year. Parents may arrange for a nanny, another family member, or friend to co-op the other 50% of the time. All co-opers must have an annual TB test, attend his or her child’s classroom orientation in the fall, and complete a background check.