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

- First day of school for Kindergarten through 8th Grade - Thursday, August 23rd

School Hours:

• 8:15am Doors Open ("Breakfast in the Classroom" can be picked up in the cafeteria)
  
• 8:30am Class Begins
  
• 3:25pm Dismissal
  

- New-to-Cowles Preschool Parent Meeting - Thursday, August 30th at 5:30pm

• Childcare provided
• More details are on the way from our PrePrimary Teachers
  

- Annual Peace Walk - Friday, August 31st (Maria Montessori's Birthday)

• All students, staff, parents, and community members are invited
  
• More details are on the way from our Maria Montessori Service Committee
  

- First day of school for Preschool - Thursday, September 6th

Semso, our custodian, has completed 9 rounds of chemotherapy. He is feeling well and is maintaining a good amount of energy. We will continue to gather letters for him in the main office and will send them to him each month. Please continue to send positive thoughts his way!

The City of Windsor Heights has provided Cowles and the Windsor Heights Community with the following information:

"The Iowa Department of Transportation will be completing a resurfacing project on 63rd Street between University and Hickman with a start date sometime between September 10 and October 13, 2018. This project will result in 63rd Street being closed to through traffic during the project. Once the project starts, the contract requires the project to be completed within 10-days (excluding weekends). The Iowa DOT has included Windsor Heights City Staff on planning meetings and they will notify the City of their actual start date at least 10-days prior to the start of the project. Once that notification has been made, City staff will push information out through various channels so Windsor Heights residents are aware of the closure. This closure will also affect Cowles, and no doubt the traffic in the area. Public Safety Staff have met with Cowles to ensure the most efficient traffic control during the process. Residents are reminded this should only be a 10-day project and while we understand the frustrations that accompanies road construction, planning should help minimize the impact on residents."

Mr. Johnson will be attending a pre-construction meeting with the DOT and the City of WH to determine any traffic flow changes during the construction period. Any changes will be shared in the Crier.

We are in need of parent volunteers to supervise students for the Walking School Bus.

To volunteer go to:

> www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080B48A8A72FABF49-cowles

Information about the Walking School Bus (WSB):

• The Walking School Bus (WSB) promotes healthy lifestyles and active transportation for students, families, and the community
• The WSB is another morning drop off site for students that includes a 1/2 mile walk to Cowles, starting the Windsor Heights Presbyterian Church
  
• The WSB will begin on Monday, August 27th starting at the Windsor Heights Presbyterian Church and ending at Cowles Montessori School
• The WSB will take place on the mornings of Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays beginning Monday, August 27th through Friday, November 2nd (it will return in the Spring)
• WSB student drop-off is from 7:45 a.m.-8:00 a.m. at the Windsor Heights Presbyterian Church
• Students begin walking to Cowles with parent/community volunteers at 8:00 a.m.
  
• Participants will be notified of cancellations due to weather forecasts
• Participants complete the Consent and Registration form and return to Cowles by Friday, August 24th (this form is posted below)
  
• Parent/Community Volunteers supervising students during the WSB must complete the following Online Volunteer Applicaiton: https://www.dmschools.org/volunteer/online-volunteer-application/
• Parent/Community Volunteers can sign up to supervise and walk students to Cowles at: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080B48A8A72FABF49-cowles
• The WSB is a collaborative effort between Principal Johnson of Cowles Montessori, Jenny Weber of Wellmark Healthy Hometown, Matt Wier of CMPG, and Michael Loffredo of the City of Windsor Heights

Dance, Drama, Spanish, and/or Piano

> http://commed.dmschools.org/

For more information, click on the flyers posted below.

____ Register your child(ren) for school online

> https://www.dmschools.org/enrollment-registration/online-registration/

• Proof of residency (e.g. utility/water bill with your current address on it)
• Submit online or provide a copy to Marian Riggs, Cowles Office Manager
  

____ Pay supply fees to the Cowles Montessori Parent Group (CMPG)
> https://www.myschoolbucks.com

____ Sign up for extra-curricular activities (These activities are optional and as openings remain available). (e.g. Piano, Spanish, Dance, Drama, etc.)
> http://commed.dmschools.org/

____ Register for before and/or after-school care (This is optional and as openings remain available.)
> https://www.dmschools.org/academics/programs/before-after-school-care/metro-kids-care/

____ Follow the Cowles Montessori School on Twitter

> @CowlesDMPS

____ Follow the Cowles Montessori Parent Group (CMPG) on Facebook
> https://www.facebook.com/CowlesMontessori

____ Submit a volunteer form (This is required for all prospective classroom volunteers.)

> https://www.dmschools.org/volunteer/online-volunteer-application/

We will see you soon!

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
• Right-hand turn only 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

• Due to traffic flow, Washington Avenue Car Line is reserved for the following classes of older students and their siblings:
• Mr. Egherman's students and their siblings
• Ms. Lori'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

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