Philosophy
The Glen Rock Cooperative Nursery School was founded in 1965 and has grown continuously for over 50 years. The School uniquely combines the finest pre-school education (including New Jersey state certified programs and teachers) with parental participation at every level.
The School is an ideal atmosphere for allowing each individual child to grow emotionally and intellectually in a group setting while allowing parents the special opportunity to both witness their child’s growth and to share in their first formal educational experience. Current research shows that such active parental involvement improves children’s academic performance.
Experienced, caring, New Jersey state certified pre-school teachers provide a nurturing educational environment and help guide the children’s exploration of the creative centers in the classroom. Areas of development include: socialization; language; music and art skills; acquisition of basic mathematics; and “hands on” natural science experiences. The underlying School Philosophy is Learning Through Play, so all developmental activities are structured with particular goals and skills for children to acquire by doing.
Our Philosophy and our status as a non-profit organization allows the School to concentrate on providing small student-to-teacher ratios. The ratios are as follows:
The School is managed by a Board of Directors composed of parents along with a professional Director who are entrusted with keeping the curriculum and daily activities in adherence to all state and local regulations.
The School is housed within the Glen Rock Community Church. Each classroom is brightly decorated and fully equipped with age appropriate activity centers that include play kitchens, dress-up materials, books and puzzles, arts and crafts, large wooden building blocks, and a central carpeted area for storytelling and group activities. Each classroom is equipped with a bathroom for your child’s safety and cleanliness.
The Purpose of the Glen Rock Cooperative Nursery School is to provide the enrichment of the preschool child’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth guided by professional teachers and actively assisted by participating parents. We are a non-profit, interfaith and interracial organization.
The School is an ideal atmosphere for allowing each individual child to grow emotionally and intellectually in a group setting while allowing parents the special opportunity to both witness their child’s growth and to share in their first formal educational experience. Current research shows that such active parental involvement improves children’s academic performance.
Experienced, caring, New Jersey state certified pre-school teachers provide a nurturing educational environment and help guide the children’s exploration of the creative centers in the classroom. Areas of development include: socialization; language; music and art skills; acquisition of basic mathematics; and “hands on” natural science experiences. The underlying School Philosophy is Learning Through Play, so all developmental activities are structured with particular goals and skills for children to acquire by doing.
Our Philosophy and our status as a non-profit organization allows the School to concentrate on providing small student-to-teacher ratios. The ratios are as follows:
- Mommy & Me - 12 students to one teacher, one aide, and all the parents
- 2 1/2 Year Olds - 12 students to one teacher, one aide, and one parent
- 3 Year Olds - 14 students to one teacher, one aide, and one parent
- “Older” 3 Year Olds - 14 students to one teacher, one aide, and one parent
- 4 Year Olds - 17 students to one teacher, one aide, and one parent
- Transitional Kindergarten - 14 students to one teacher and one aide
- KinderBoost - 14 students to one teacher and one aide
The School is managed by a Board of Directors composed of parents along with a professional Director who are entrusted with keeping the curriculum and daily activities in adherence to all state and local regulations.
The School is housed within the Glen Rock Community Church. Each classroom is brightly decorated and fully equipped with age appropriate activity centers that include play kitchens, dress-up materials, books and puzzles, arts and crafts, large wooden building blocks, and a central carpeted area for storytelling and group activities. Each classroom is equipped with a bathroom for your child’s safety and cleanliness.
The Purpose of the Glen Rock Cooperative Nursery School is to provide the enrichment of the preschool child’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth guided by professional teachers and actively assisted by participating parents. We are a non-profit, interfaith and interracial organization.
Meet the Teachers
Lori Roughgarden
Mrs. Roughgarden has her B.S. in Early Childhood education and Head Teacher & Group Teacher certifications. She sent her youngest child to the Coop and fell in love with the school. She started helping at lunch and quickly progressed to substitute teaching and teaching enrichment classes. This then lead to assisting in 2.5 /3's class and continuation of enrichment classes. She presently teaches the 2's & 3's class along with her enrichment classes. She has been with the Coop for the past 7 years. 
Lisa Sheldon
Desha McCarhty
Jocelyn Reiman
Mrs. Reiman has been teaching at the Coop since 2013. In 2015, Jocelyn helped to create the developmentally appropriate, play-based KinderBoost program to give students an opportunity to gradually transition to a full day school schedule. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education and Psychology (Summa Cum Laude - Skidmore College) and Master's in Early Childhood Education (Teachers College, Columbia University), and is certified to teach Pre K- Grade 6 in NY and NJ. Mrs. Reiman taught Kindergarten for 11 years at The Brearley School (Manhattan) and The Elisabeth Morrow School (Englewood), before becoming a mother and moving to Zurich, Switzerland. After repatriating, Mrs. Reiman's love for teaching young children brought her back to the classroom at the Coop while her children attended the school. |
Darlene Assainte
Mrs. Assainte has been with the co-op since 1998. She started as an aide in TK and Mommy and Me, when her son's teacher needed an aide. Later, Mrs. Assainte went back to school to become a certified preschool teacher and worked with 2 1/2, 3 and 4. Both her kids went to the co-op. 
Jane Dalton
Mrs. Dalton is the Transitional Kindergarten teacher. Her association with the Coop began in 2006 as a parent volunteer and board member. She has been serving as the aide in the TK classroom since 2013 and earned her preschool teacher certification in 2016. She also teaches the Monday afternoon art enrichment class and helps with the Little Ninjas and Outdoor Explorers classes. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in English & writing. Mrs. Dalton is a Glen Rock resident and is active in the schools and the community. She has four children and enjoys running, biking, swimming, reading and vacationing on LBI. |
Maria Sorace
Mrs. Sorace started at the co-op in 2002. She attended Marist College and graduated with a degree in Communication Arts in 1982. She worked in the corporate world at ADP and Merrill Lynch until the birth of her first child in 1990. She loves to read, do jigsaw puzzles and do a lot of baking. 
Margret Walsh
Mrs. Walsh, Kinderboost classroom assistant and substitute, has taught at the Coop since 2012. As a veteran Co-Op parent who served on the board for many years, she just wasn't ready to say goodbye to the Co-Op when her youngest graduated. She is a licensed Cosmetologist and has a Bachelor's Degree in Office Administration from Felician College. A jack of many trades, Mrs. Walsh brings her love for children, caring temperament, and wise sensibilities to the classroom. Janie Alania
Mrs. Alania has been teaching early childhood music classes in Bergen County since 2005. She has a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Montclair State University. Janie has performed as a soloist throughout northern New Jersey and toured in Austria and Slovenia with the Montclair State Madrigal Singers. After receiving her degree, she spent 5 years working in classical artist management at Colbert Artists and ICM Artists in NYC. Janie currently lives in Fair Lawn and performs along with her husband in the local band "The Rad Burnsteins". Janie's enthusiasm, joy, and knowledge of music, has captivated both her students and parents alike. She is happy to be sharing her love of music with the families of the Glen Rock Co-op! |
Director
Deirdre Tarrant is the Director of the Glen Rock Co-op. She received a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross. For more than 15 years, she worked in public relations and advertising while working on an MS in Education. She is delighted to be a part of the Glen Rock Co-op from which both her sons graduated. A resident of Glen Rock, Deirdre loves her community and volunteers with the Cub Scouts, the TIC TOC Art Program, as well as St. Catharine's Parish. When she's not at the Co-op, Deirdre loves reading, running, biking, and swimming.
2018-2019 Executive BoardPresident - Katja Andreo
Participation and Class Parent Liaison - Kelly O'Keeffe Treasurer - Maureen Lacey Secretary and Security Lead- Willow Tepper Social Events/Fundraising - Raymond Nowicki Publicity Chair - Carolyn Byrne |
Committee & Project ChairsWebmaster - Alba Morales
Learning Environment - Linda Timmeny Hospitality Chair - Marcy Reiz Participation Chair - Karen Sheridan Kids for Kids - Danielle Glickman Registrar - Sarah Hawkins |
