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\centerline{\hl ChildCare Info}
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{
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\thing{Location} Rooms 101 and 109 in the Horace Mann School.

\thing{Days}Thursday (20 July), Friday, Saturday, Monday (24¨
July), Tuesday.

\thing{Time}10am to 6pm (during workshops and general assemblies)¨
-- {\it if} we have enough people signed up to cover the day --¨
check the schedule at the information area to confirm, or talk to¨
the coordinator in the child-care areas.

\thing{Bring} Necessities; diapers and related stuff, spare¨
clothes, nap things (blanket, mat, stuffed animal), special¨
foods, medicines, and any other special needs. Also toys, games,¨
books, musical instruments, art supplies, costumes, sports¨
equipment -- and food. We have some of the these, but could use¨
more.

\thing{Don't bring}Anything expensive, fragile, irreplaceable or¨
dangerous. Weapons, war toys. Caffeine, chocolate, sugar. Pets.

}

\smallskip
\centerline{\bf Volunteers needed!}

We need people (including non-parents!) to come and spend a few¨
hours in the kids' space. You don't need experience -- just a¨
willingness to relate to children as who they are. This is {\it¨
not} a chore; this is a hands-on workshop in age relations,¨
empowerment, communication, creativity and play. Way more fun¨
than two hours with a bunch of talking-head grownups! 

(If you can, sign up by 10 am so we can schedule the day -- if¨
not, come by anyway.)

\smallskip
\centerline{\bf How we would like this to work}

One person will coordinate childcare and kid's activities for¨
each day. Two (or more) adults will be with kids at all times, if¨
possible. Adults should sign up (by 10 am) for 2 or 3 hour shifts¨
-- we'll try to align this with the workshop schedules. Shift¨
schedules will be at the info center. A carpeted room will be the¨
quiet room (reading, naps) when needed, and will be baby-safe as¨
much as possible.

Parents will use a sign-in sheet to let volunteers know where¨
they can be found, when they will return and any other info.

Parents with little ones (3 and under) are asked to return every¨
2 -- 3 hours. Older kids can sign themselves out to let parents¨
know where they are. Medicines and medical conditions (illness,¨
allergies, etc) {\it must} be discussed with the coordinator or¨
volunteers {\it before} you leave your child.

\smallskip
\centerline{\bf Responsibility}

The Kids' Committee will provide the best childcare arrangements¨
possible, but the parent or other adult who brings a child is¨
ultimately responsible for her or him. Make sure the physical¨
space and emotional climate provided feels OK to you and to your¨
kid. Use your intuition and common sense.
\vskip\parskip
\line{\hfill -- The Kids' Committee}

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\centerline{\bf Patriarchy Begins at Birth}
\centerline{Children are the Primary Oppressed Class}

The need for childcare at this conference has been discussed¨
mostly as a logistical problem, like renting a location or¨
printing a newsletter. I believe it is as central an issue as¨
racism or sexism. Why? They way we treat the kids among us is the¨
way we create our community.

\smallskip
\centerline{\bf Start Here Now:}
{
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\item{\blob}Spend some time in the kids' area -- especially if¨
you are a non-parent.
\item{\blob}Look at the ways that your workshop/performance/event¨
can include kids, or be made interesting/accessible to them.
\item{\blob}Be aware that kids here are not appendages of their¨
parents, but are fully members of our community. Acknowledge them¨
and include them when it feels appropriate.

}

\smallskip
\line{\hfill -- Daniel}

\bye