Welcome to the 

Orchard Park
Cooperative Preschool

High Quality Cooperative Community Education

About Us

The Orchard Park Cooperative Preschool has been offering high quality education for generations of children in our community for over 70 years.

The cornerstone of our school is providing young children with a wealth of fun filled academic, physical, and social learning experiences that are appropriate for their stage of development. Because so much of a young child’s knowledge is acquired through exploration and play, our program emphasizes interesting activities that promote learning, curiosity, and self-confidence. Our students enter kindergarten with an eagerness to learn as well as a sound understanding of emerging math and reading skills.

2024-2025 ENROLLMENT

Enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year is now open. 

REGISTER HERE


JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, February 3rd

10 am - 12 noon 


New to our school? 

Come meet our teachers and talk to current parents at our 

OPEN HOUSE


QUESTIONS

For general school questions and concerns please contact our Director, Jen Coyle at director@opcoop.com

To set up a tour or for questions regarding registration, please email registration@opcoop.com

Our Teachers

Our teachers are experienced early childhood specialists with Bachelor and Master degrees. They bring to the school high expectations for student growth within a culture of respect and nurturing. Every day is planned to provide the children with opportunities to practice sharing and caring, learn about the world around them, develop reading and math skills, and express themselves through the joys of art and music. Our families consistently praise our program for its strong educational curriculum within an atmosphere that makes their children eager to come to school every day.

Mrs. Coyle
Education Director, Four Plus Classroom

Jennifer Coyle holds a Masters of Arts degree in Secondary Education Mathematics from Hunter College in NYC, a BS in Civil Engineering from UB, and is a certified teacher in New York State. Her previous professional experience includes teaching Secondary Mathematics in Queens, NY for the NYC Board of Education. In 2007, she and her family returned to the Buffalo area, settling in Orchard Park. While her three children attended the Co-op, Jen held various positions on the Co-op Board as a parent and began teaching at the Co-op in 2016 as her youngest went off to Kindergarten. Jen happily stepped into the role as Education Director in 2022 and is also a teacher in the four plus classroom

Mrs. Patrone
Four Plus Classroom

Stacy Patrone holds a BS in Childhood Education with a concentration in Mathematics from Fredonia State College, and a MS in Literacy from St. Bonaventure University. She has taught two years of first grade in North Carolina and the City of Buffalo, a year of multi-age second and third graders in Buffalo and three years of fourth grade at a Charter School in Lackawanna. While her four children were little she was a Stay at Home Mom.  Two of her children attended the Co-op and Stacy has subbed and been a teacher assistant here at the Co-op and is now excited to be stepping in as a 4+ teacher.  

Mrs. Byington
Three-Year/Four-Year Old Classroom

Angela Byington holds a Master of Science Degree in Literacy and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Childhood Education from Canisius College. Angela began her teaching career in Niagara County working in sixth, fifth, and Kindergarten classrooms. She switched careers to become a nanny, and eventually began to teach parenting skills with the foster care community in Niagara County. Angela is a mom of three who became involved with the Co-op in 2022 by serving on the board, and working as a Teaching Assistant. Her passion for teaching was re-ignited. This will be Angela’s second year teaching at the Co-op, as her twins are off to Kindergarten, and her youngest will be in the 3 and 4 year old blended class this year.  


Mrs. Smith
Three Year Old 3-Day Classroom

Jonelle Smith holds a BS in Paralegal Studies from Hilbert College and a MS in Elementary Education from Medaille College. She spent two years subbing in the Orchard Park and Hamburg School Districts before taking time off to stay home with her children. From 2012–2016, she served on the Board of Directors for the Co-Op in various roles, including President and Publicity Chair, while her children were students at the preschool. Jonelle joined the Co-op as a teacher in 2016, when her son started Kindergarten. Currently, she is an active volunteer with the Orchard Park PTO. 

Mrs. Disch
Three Year Old 2-Day Classroom

Kate Disch earned her degree from St. Bonaventure University in 2004. Since then, she and her husband, Ryan, and their daughter, Emerson, moved up and down the east coast before settling in Orchard Park in 2018. Kate was introduced to the Co-op when she enrolled Emerson in the 4 year old program. Only one of them left. Kate began teaching at the Co-op in 2019 when Emerson started kindergarten, spending time with each age group until ultimately becoming a three year old teacher. She is also a substitute teacher in the Orchard Park School District. When she is not teaching, Kate enjoys spending time with her menagerie of animals: a horse, two cats, 19 chickens and an accidental duck. 

Mrs. Galpin
Three Year Old 2-Day Classroom

Christine Galpin earned her Masters of Science in Education degree at D'Youville College, and is a certified teacher in Ontario, Canada, and New York State. She began teaching High School in Ontario before moving to Syracuse to complete post graduate work.  She earned her CAS from Syracuse University, and went on to be an Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and a Director of Special Education in the Syracuse area. Christine & her family moved to Orchard Park in 2021, and she began teaching at the co-op while her youngest son was enrolled in the 4+ program. Christine is a proud mother of two boys.  When not in the classroom, Christine enjoys cooking, jogging, and spending time with her family.  

Contact Us

director@opcoop.com 

4369 S Buffalo St
Orchard Park, NY 14127


If you have any questions please feel free to email us.
For registration questions please email registration@opcoop.com

Take a look in our frequently asked questions section.