Winter Break Edition 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

Piano Recital- Tuesday, December 18th at 6:00pm in the Cowles Music Room

Band Concert - Tuesday, December 18th at 6:30pm at Roosevelt High School

• 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Band
• Jazz Band
  

Winter Break - December 22nd-January 6th (No School for Students)

CMPG meeting - Monday, January 14th 6:00pm at The Royal Mile

• “Cowles Cabin Fever” parent social & meeting
  
• Stay tuned for more information from CMPG
  

Cowles Family Skate Night - Thursday, January 17th at Skate North

• Stay tuned for more information from CMPG
  

The upper elementary students at Cowles are busily preparing for their annual trip to JA Biztown. Over the past two months, we have been studying concepts like: financial literacy, entrepreneurship, markets and economy, just to name a few. This is a highly anticipated field trip that the students talk about all year!

We are also preparing for the science fair. The upper elementary and middle school science fair will be held at Cowles School the week before winter break, and the district science fair will be in early February. Students have been busy making predictions, testing scientific theories, and preparing a poster with the data they have collected.

Upper Elementary students have been studying zoology as well. They have learned the major phyla of the animal kingdom, and the classes within each major phyla. We are discussing the digestive system, skeletal/muscular system, nervous system, respiratory system, and reproductive system. As a culminating activity, we will be dissecting grass frogs to further analyze the anatomy and physiology of animals, particularly chordates (the vertebrates and their relatives).

Thank you from the Upper Elementary Team!

Our parent group has supported the school with scheduling and preparing fundraisers, volunteering, and approving funding requests for classroom needs. We appreciate the hard work and support of the CMPG Executive Board and thank everyone who has spent their time and energy volunteering. Your hard work makes a huge difference for our students! The past CMPG meeting minutes are posted below this message as documents you can view.

Here are upcoming events:

- January 14th: “Cowles Cabin Fever” parent social & meeting at The Royal Mile at 6:00pm

- January 17th: Cowles Family Skate Night at Skate North

- February 8th : Sweetheart Dance

- April 13th: Cowles After Dark Fundraiser

- June 28th-30th: Des Moines Arts Festival

My name is Devon Steve and I am the director of Bridges 2 Harmony at Roosevelt High School. In January 2019, we will be hosting the 7th annual Jr. Bridges 2 Harmony Workshop! This month long workshop (commonly known as Jr. Bridges) began in 2012, as a musical outreach program for fifth through eighth grade students, exposing them to the rich gospel and spiritual tradition. During the workshop, students will work alongside members of Bridges 2 Harmony, learning several songs, developing healthy vocal technique, and experiencing a unique musical experience. The workshop begins on January 9th and meets weekly on Wednesdays until January 30th. It concludes with a performance alongside Bridges 2 Harmony in concert on January 31, 2019. The participation cost is $35/student, with registration deadline January 4, 2019. (There is a discount for families who register more than one student.)

If you want to see what Bridges is like, check out this video from our fall concert: https://www.facebook.com/B2HTRHS/videos/1781539291964081/. Please contact me with any questions you may have about this workshop. I'm looking forward to sharing and making music with your students!

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato

Be well,

Devon Steve

Assistant Director of Vocal Music

Theodore Roosevelt High School

It has been a busy year at Cowles Montessori with new faces, places, and things to do! This Fall, we said goodbye to Semso, our custodian, who passed away. We welcomed twelve new faculty and staff, opened a new library, music room, and gym, and narrowed our focus to Stewardship, Independence, and Harmony. We appreciate all of your support! We hope you enjoy a well deserved and restful Winter Break!

Thank you,

Todd

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