Cowles Montessori

On Tuesday, August 31st, we celebrate Dr. Maria Montessori's Birthday with a Day of Peace. In a typical year, we gather as a community for our annual Peace Walk in honor of Dr. Montessori. This year, we will be celebrating during the school day in classrooms.

Even though we are not able to gather as a community, we will engage in ways to celebrate her legacy with activities to promote peace on 8/31/21:

• Students may wear Cowles shirts or the color purple (our school's primary color)
• Say the Peace Pledge (see it posted below)
• Take a picture/selfie by our Teach Peace sign in the front lawn before/after school courtesy of CMPG
• Students will engage in several Day of Peace activities in their classrooms

Preschool Orientation

• Thursday, September 2nd from 5:00-6:00 p.m. - front lawn at Cowles
• This will be an in-person outdoor event for the Children's House students in preschool and Kindergarten

First Day of School for Preschool Students

• Thursday, September 9th
• Half-Day 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• Full-Day 8:30-3:25 p.m.

One Run

• Saturday, September 11th
• Click here to sign up

CMPG Monthly Meeting (Virtual Zoom Meeting)

• Monday, September 13th from 6:00-7:00 p.m., Virtual Zoom Meeting

To ensure student safety and the efficiency of our traffic flow system, please note the following:

• If you are new to Cowles or new to parent pick-up, notify the office if you need a sign with your child’s name for your car for parent pick-up.
• Drop-off and pick-up locations are marked on the map
• Follow the "right-hand turn only" sign when exiting the parking lot
• "NO PARKING" zones are designated by city signs that are posted (also indicated on the map).
• When picking up your child, post their name sign in your window and our teachers will support students crossing and loading into your vehicle.
• Watch for signals from teachers supporting students at designated crossings.
• Follow the traffic laws that pertain to cell phone use and seat belts while driving.

Washington Avenue Car Line

• This is an ideal drop off option for anyone, especially Preschool and Kindergarten before school.
  

• Due to traffic flow, Washington Avenue Car Line is reserved for the following classes of older students and their siblings for pick up after school:
• Ms. Romeo's students and their siblings
• Ms. Allie's students and their siblings
• Middle School students and their siblings
• Students walk in from Washington Street on the designated sidewalk with teaching monitoring.
• "NO PARKING" zones are designated by city signs that are posted.
• Avoid turning around in residential driveways.
• Follow the traffic laws that pertain to cell phone use and seat belts while driving.

Parents, Teachers and Staff of Cowles Montessori,

As school restarts in the Des Moines metro area, the Windsor Heights Police Department wanted to send out a quick reminder of some traffic issues brought to our attention around Cowles Montessori School.

Several locations in the area of Cowles Montessori School are posted as no parking or restricted parking areas. The map below outlines the no parking areas with a red line, and the restricted parking areas in yellow. These areas will be strictly enforced as we resume the school year.

We also feel it is important to emphasize the City of Windsor Heights Code prohibits stopping, standing or parking in areas with posted no parking signs, in front of or within three (3) feet of a curb cut for a driveway, and/or within ten (10) feet of any stop sign. Vehicles are not allowed to stage in these areas.

The Windsor Heights Police Department is committed to the safety of those in our community and our officers will issue citations to any driver in violation of the parking ordinances. We ask for your help in eliminating issues with illegal parking, standing and stopping in the area of Cowles Montessori School to ensure a consistent flow of traffic and safety of those in the area. We also ask for patience and courtesy when traveling in the area. Together, we can ensure the safety of our children and those driving in the area.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (515) 277-4453.

- Officer Chad McCluskey

Please pay your child(ren)'s classroom supply fee and textbook fee. These fees directly support your child's classroom with important classroom supplies and texts that align with our Montessori and Middle School curriculum. For directions on how to pay your child's fees, see the information posted below:

Classroom Supply Fees

Skip school supply shopping! Your child’s teacher knows best the materials needed for the classroom. Instead of searching for crayons and kleenex, parents contribute to their child's classroom fund. Teachers then purchase the classroom supplies with the funds provided.

• PreK-6th Grade Classroom Supply Fees are $40.00
• 7th and 8th Grade Classroom Supply Fees are $30.00
• Consider donating to "Field Trip Expenses" and "Special Donations to Music, Art, P.E."

There are four convenient ways to pay classroom supply fees:

• www.myschoolbucks.com (see directions below)
• Venmo (@CMPG6401) Please leave students names in the comments section when paying with Venmo or Paypal
• Paypal (CMPGDM@gmail.com) Please leave students names in the comments section when paying with Venmo or Paypal

• If you prefer to pay via cash, check, debit, or credit in person, complete the attached form posted below this message to determine the total cost for your child(ren).

Directions for paying classroom supply fees on MySchoolBucks:

1. Go to https://www.myschoolbucks.com/
2. Click on "Log In"
3. Log in or register for the Des Moines Public Schools Parent Portal
4. Click on "School Store" or “Browse All Items”
5. Click on "School Fees"
6. Click on the corresponding grade level (e.g., "Classroom Supply Fees PreK-6th Grade" or "Classroom Supply Fees 7th & 8th Grade").
7. Click on "Student" and select your child's name
8. Click on "Add to Basket"
9. Go to the "Basket" in the upper right-hand corner of the page
10. Enter your payment information and click on "continue"
11. Submit payment
12. *Consider donating to "Field Trip Expenses" and "Special Donations to Music, Art, P.E."

Textbook Fees

• Pay district textbook fees here
• Only K-8th Grade students have textbook fees

1. Click on "Log In"
2. Locate 21-22 CWTXTE/CW TEXTBOOK FEE (2021-22 School Year)
3. Click on "ADD TO CART"
4. Go to the cart and click on "Checkout"
5. Enter your payment information and click on "Submit"

Our partner, Raygun, created the Cowles Montessori Store for children, adolescents, and adults to buy T-Shirts. A portion of your payment is donated directly to Cowles!

You can purchase mugs, hats, and other T-Shirts through our Cowles Shop.

SchoolCNXT

• Register at: https://register.schoolcnxt.com/

#WeAreCowles

#AntiBiasMontessori

Email: shannon.hines@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