About MOS
Our Mission
To provide a meaningful, individualized, play-based early childhood education set in a cooperative environment within our community in a way that empowers advocacy and supports relationships between teachers, children and families.
What is a Cooperative Preschool?
A parent cooperative preschool offers a unique, hands-on approach to early childhood education, where families actively engage in both the learning environment and the management of the school. The close collaboration between parents, teachers, and children fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Here are some of the core benefits and elements of this model:
- Parental Involvement: Parents help in the classroom, which can lead to stronger relationships between families and teachers. It gives parents an opportunity to witness their child’s learning process firsthand.
- Community Building: Since parents play an integral role, a strong sense of community and mutual support is created among families.
- Child-Centered Learning: With parents and teachers working closely together, we can tailor educational activities to the unique needs of each child, allowing for more personalized and flexible learning experiences.
History of MOS
The idea of opening a non-profit cooperative pre-school in San Andreas originated in the summer of 1978. Our first president was Lynn Cornett. Our first director Pat Green.
The Community responded to the request for help, with various donated materials. Calaveras Unified School District (CUSD) kindly leased their former kindergarten building and it became the home of My Own School.
In August 1999, MOS was informed that the new mulit-purpose building for San Andreas Elementary would be constructed at the current MOS location. The MOS Board of Directors researched options and decided to move the building. CUSD offered MOS the use of the current property on Gold Strike Road.
Once again the community rallied and donated time and labor as well as many services and materials. The membership worked above and beyond their obligations. They raised over $10,000 dollars that year through fund raising and donations. In February 2000 the little red schoolhouse moved down the road to its new home.
Here we are today.