Cowles Montessori Crier

"Together we celebrate diversity, respect, and the love for learning through the Montessori Method. Our environment nurtures and prepares the child for a global community."

Montessori Student Outcomes

• Intrinsic Motivation
• Creativity and Originality of Thought
• Social Responsibility
• Autonomy
• Confidence and Competence
• Spiritual Awareness
• Academic Preparation

CMPG Monthly Meeting - Monday, March 11th at 6:00 p.m. - Cowles Music Room

• Principal's Message: (Everybody Wins!, ISASP, OneRun, and Funding Requests)
  

Spring Break – Friday, March 15th- Sunday, March 24th (No School)

Professional Development Days - Monday, March 25th and Tuesday, March 26th (No School)

• No school for students
• Teachers and associates will participate in building and district professional development
• This means there will be no school for students beginning, Friday, March 15th through Tuesday, March 26th. Students will return to school on Wednesday, March 27th.

Full Day Wednesdays (8:30-3:25) – Beginning March 27th until the end of the school year

Iowa Statewide Assessment on Student Progress (ISASP) - April 3rd-26th

• This test replaces the Iowa Assessment (formerly known as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills)
• This test will be taken by students in 3rd Grade through 8th Grade at Cowles
  
• More information and practice tests will be sent in the near future

The 2019-2020 school year is fast approaching and CMPG is seeking volunteers for the Executive Board. A summary of each board position is given below. Please consider making this valuable contribution to the continued strength of our parent group. Interested parents please contact Rochelle Quiner at rquiner@gmail.com, Kara Dare at kara.dare@dmschools.org, or Allison Petersen at allisonepetersen@gmail.com

President:

Shall preside at all regular and special CMPG meetings and at meetings of the executive board. Serve as the primary contact for the principal and/or the administration.

Vice President:

Shall act as an aide to the president, represent her/him upon request, and assume the duties of the president in the absence or inability of that officer to serve.

Secretary:

Shall record and present the minutes of all CMPG and executive board meetings. Shall be responsible for maintaining a record keeping system, for the safe keeping of the minutes and other legal non-financial documents.

Treasurer:

Shall receive all monies of the organization; shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures; and shall make disbursements as authorized by the organization or executive board. She/He shall present a financial statement at every regular CMPG meeting and at other times when requested by the executive board. Shall prepare all necessary tax returns and maintain the organization’s exempt status.

CALLING ALL COWLES COMMUNITY MEMBERS!

It’s March which means Cowles After Dark is next month!

WHAT: Cowles After Dark is our largest school fundraiser and adult social event, where Cowles loving adults can have a fun evening together bidding on amazing silent and live auction items. The success of this event and strength of next year’s budget hinges on your support.

WHY: As a public Montessori school, many Montessori-specific materials aren’t covered with district funds. Did you know that funds raised at Cowles After Dark fund the following opportunities for our students and teachers?

• Expanding field trip and experiential learning opportunities for students

• Literacy intervention materials & programs and STEM materials

• Purchasing Montessori classroom materials, supplies, shelving

• Montessori specific professional development for staff

HOW: To support these initiatives, we need your donations. Please consider supporting Cowles After Dark fundraising efforts by donating your sponsorship, time, talents, services or new/unused items. Check your child’s backpack or the attached document posted below for additional information and a donation form.

WHEN: Please return all donations to the office by Monday, April 1st and SAVE THE DATE of Saturday, April 13th for the Cowles After Dark event.

Thank you in advance for your support of Cowles and public Montessori education in Des Moines!

Sincerely,
The Cowles After Dark Auction Committee

The DMPS Community Legislative Action Team (DMPS-CLAT) is made up of parents and other community members who recognize the need for more awareness of how specific legislative actions affect our schools, and actively advocate for policies that increase student success.To be successful, this group needs one thing: YOU. It’s important that the voices of parents, grandparents, community members and others are heard by our legislators and the Governor so they know how important education and schools are to our children and all of Des Moines. Join us as we focus on the need to extend support for our English Language Learners, expand preschool funding for students in poverty, and continue the penny sales tax to improve and maintain our school buildings.

CLAT Priorities: https://www.dmschools.org/board/community-legislative-action-team/

Iowa Department of Education Legislative Updates

The Education Bill Tracking webpage provides regular updates during the Iowa legislative session on bills related to education in Iowa. Information about new bills, including names, numbers, and sponsors are provided.

#WeAreCowles

Email: todd.johnson@dmschools.org
Website: cowles.dmschools.org
Location: 6401 College Avenue, Windsor Heights, IA, USA
Phone: 515-242-7818
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CowlesMontessori/
Twitter: @CowlesDMPS