Cowles Montessori School Crier

Every day is a new beginning.

Take a deep breath, smile, and start again.

- Unknown

Iowa Assessments - Week of April 2-April 13th
Cowles Montessori Parent Group (CMPG) Meeting - Monday, April 9th
Orchestra Concert - Thursday, May 10th 6:30pm at Cowles

See Sage's video for a few words of wisdom:
https://flipgrid.com/6d91e5

In case you missed Cohan's video:
https://flipgrid.com/f8fa46

The Glitter Jar

A glitter jar is being used in Ms. Fischer’s classroom as a regulation tool for students. The jar is a tool that can be used to help students return to steady breathing, calm bodies, and peaceful minds. The glitter jar is used by shaking it up to make the glitter fly all around. The flying glitter shows how our minds are moving when we are worked up and can’t find a way to calm down. The students take the jar, find somewhere peaceful to sit, and watch the flying glitter. While they are watching the glitter slowly return to a calm state, the students practice mindful breathing exercises to help get their brains back to a peaceful state as the glitter does the same. Eventually, the glitter will return to the bottom of the jar, just as our brains calm down as well.

The glitter jar is perfect to use alongside Zones of Regulation conversations at school and at home! It is a great tool to use in helping students get back into the “green zone.” The glitter jar helps calm our brains and gets us ready to learn, just as we hope to be when we are in the green zone. You can make your own glitter jar at home! For more information about the benefits of a glitter jar, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVA2N6tX2cg.

Thank you from the Counseling Team,

Mrs. Lepeltak, Mr. Allen, Miss Madsen (Intern)

An after school group has been formed for Cowles students in 6th--8th grade. This group was put together by current Cowles students who want to provide support and education for LGBT students and allies of LGBT students. An informational meeting will be held for interested students on Monday, April 1, right after school in room 105. At this meeting, student organizers will discuss the purpose of the group and outline future meeting dates and activities. Faculty sponsors of this group are Mrs. Lepeltak, Mr. Moody, and Ms. Myers.

Our priorities during construction are as follows:

- Safety and Communication

- Car Line and Parking Lot

- Playground access

3/1/18 - Portion of the playground was removed and a construction fence is up

3/2/18 - The raised gardens and compost were properly moved and stored for future use

3/3/18 - The construction company is preparing for formwork and will be digging to put in footings
3/26/18 - The construction company has spent a great deal of time digging:) The formwork is underway!
3/30/18 - Formwork continues!

"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."

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/?ref=br_rs
Twitter: @CowlesDMPS