Cowles Montessori Crier

Week of August 26th

Cowles Montessori Vision

“Human flourishing, as Maria Montessori put it, means becoming a person of one’s time and place with the means and wherewithal not only to function within but to shape society (NCMPS, 2019).”

“All humans (CHILDREN and ADULTS) flourish in society (ENVIRONMENT).” - Cowles Montessori Vision

Peace Walk

It is a tradition at Cowles Montessori School to celebrate Dr. Maria Montessori's birthday with our annual school-wide Peace Walk. Dr. Maria Montessori lived through World War I and World War II, and that experience made her a strong advocate for peace. Dr. Montessori believed that the education of children was the key to future peace. She also believed: "Avoiding war is the work of politics, establishing peace is the work of education." Our Peace Education and our Peace Curriculum are based on the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori and her son, Mario Montessori. Teaching peace is universal in Montessori schools throughout the world. Whether it be conflict resolution, helping another student, community service, an act of kindness, or communicating with one another in a peaceful manner, these are just some examples of what Peace Education looks like in our classrooms.

This Friday, August 30th is our Annual Peace Walk. In order for the children to understand this event, we encourage you to read books about Maria Montessori and talk about why we have an annual Peace Walk before this event takes place. We would also like to encourage everyone to wear a Cowles Montessori t-shirt (or a purple shirt) for the Peace Walk. We invite parents and community members to join us to celebrate peace.

On Friday, please join us on the blacktop (northeast side of the building) by 8:45 a.m. for a brief welcome from Mr. Johnson. Several Middle School students will provide a message before we start walking at approximately 9:00 a.m. From the blacktop, we will walk through the PreK hallway to the front entrance of Cowles. We will walk south on 64th St. to University, turn west on University to 66th St., turn north on 66th St. to Colby, turn east on Colby to 64th St. and back to Cowles. In order to promote the Cowles Annual Peace Walk and our 27th year within the Windsor Heights community, our walking route will include walking down University to be visible to the community.

The Windsor Heights Police Department is informed about our route and will support us during the walk. The route is 1.4 miles, and according to Google maps, it should take an adult 30 minutes to walk the route. We estimate it will take around 45 minutes for all of our students to walk the route. We shall see:)

For extra safety, Middle School students will be walking with Preprimary students as extra chaperones. We encourage parents to walk with us.

We hope to see you at this enjoyable event.

Sincerely,
The Maria Montessori Service Committee

P.S. If the weather interrupts an outdoor walk, we will conduct the Peace Walk in the building.

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Maria Montessori: The Musical

We have the privilege to offer our Cowles students the opportunity to be part of Maria Montessori: The Musical. Read the information below to find out more!

About the Musical:

Maria Montessori: The Musical was inspired, developed, and refined in the Montessori classroom. The result is a script that is fun and easy to love, but also, a script that is true. The play spans 30 years. It begins with Little Maria, happy as the only child of her doting parents, and follows her through clashes with her father over her education, her struggle to apply and then survive the University, her triumphant graduation, her early successes, and the gradual formulation of her method culminating with the miraculous discoveries at the Casa Dei Bambini (The Children's House). The story is unfolded primarily by the chorus, with the aid of the narrators, who poetically guide the audience through the scenes of Dr. Montessori’s early life. Now, through the medium of musical theatre, Dr. Montessori’s journey is clearly portrayed - and all of the separate yet interdependent elements of her method are traced to present a clear picture of history, and Montessori’s role in it.

Auditions and commitment:

Cowles parents, Jami Bassman Ahart, Lori Schervish, and Oliva Stone will be co-directing Maria Montessori: The Musical utilizing the talent of our own Cowles students K-8! We’ll have an audition workshop for anyone interested in coaching and tips for auditioning. Auditions will take place to determine which roles students will participate in. We’re planning to rehearse 2-3 times a week for two hours per rehearsal but not everyone will be called to every rehearsal. Performances tentatively scheduled November 20th and 21st.

Audition Workshop

Wednesday, September 18th at 3:30 in the Cowles Music Room
Audition workshop supports students with tips and coaching to audition
Look for an RSVP to be sent out soon

Auditions

Friday, September 20th at 3:30 in the Cowles Music Room
Audition forms will be available soon

Important Dates to Remember

Annual Peace Walk

Friday, August 30th from 8:45-10:00 a.m.

New-to-Cowles Preschool and Kindergarten Parent Meeting

Tuesday, September 3rd from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Childcare provided

Upper Level Parent Night and Band/Orchestra Parent Night

Wednesday, September 4th at 5:30 p.m.

Lower Level Parent Night

Thursday, September 5th at 5:30 p.m.

Labor Day (No School)

Monday, September 2nd

First Day of School for Preschool

Thursday, September 5th

Cowles Montessori Parent Group Meeting (CMPG)

Monday, September 9th at 6:00 p.m. - Cowles Music Room

Teacher Professional Development Day (No School for Students)

Friday, September 27th

Car Line Reminders

Car Line Traffic Flow: Important Things to Remember

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 Street Car Line

Washington Street Car Line: Important Things to Remember

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:

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