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

Book Fair - December 3rd through December 7th at Cowles

• More info from Ms. Erin posted below
  

Holiday Bonanza - Friday, December 7th and Saturday, December 8th at Cowles

• More information is posted below
• Student vendors welcome!

CMPG Meeting - Monday, December 10th at 4:00p in the Cowles Music Room

Piano Recitals - Tuesday, December 11th, Friday, December 14th, Tuesday, December 18th at 6:00p in the Cowles Music Room

Orchestra Concert- Thursday, December 13th at 6:30p in the Cowles Music Room

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

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

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

Team Orange from Merrill Mock Trial came in at 2nd place in one of the most competitive regionals in Iowa! Cowles students Shreeya Yarlagadda and Maya Rousseau were part of the Orange Mock Trial Team of 10 students. The students and their coaches, Darren Page and Glen Downey, put in countless hours since the start of the school year to make it happen. They competed among 38 teams and were one of only 3 teams to gain direct entry to State Mock Trial Competition. They are excited for the upcoming State competition on Nov. 27th- 29th at the Iowa Events Center.

Sara Rousseau and Kiran Yarlagadda

We are trying something new this year! Instead of Scholastic we have decided to try a new Book Fair company. Follett is the company that we order most of our books from and they have recently expanded into the Book Fair business! It will work pretty much the same as Scholastic did but hopefully a little smoother. Follett offers gift cards! If you are not comfortable sending cash with your child you can go to www.follettgift.com and get a gift card. These are redeemable at the Book Fair and they never expire!

* Gift cards are printable! Simply purchase the card, print it and send it with your student!

* Gift cards are available in a variety of denominations beginning at $10.

* No expiration date. You can donate any remainder or save it for the next Book Fair.

* Great teacher gifts. Easy way to help teachers build their classroom libraries.

* Safe alternative to sending your young child to school with cash.

* Great way for out of town friends or family to support your children and book fair. TIP: When purchasing a gift card, type your students name in the notes section so it can be easily identified in the event your student misplaces it.

Book Fair Dates and Hours:

DECEMBER 3-7

BEFORE SCHOOL 8:15-9:00AM

AFTER SCHOOL 3:25-4:00PM

WEDNESDAY 2:10-3:30PM

**NEW THIS YEAR** WE WILL ALSO BE OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAY BONANZA!

FRIDAY 6:00-9:00PM

SATURDAY 9:00AM-1:00PM

Feel free to direct questions my way! I hope to see you there!

Ms. Erin

ERIN.FIDLER@dmschools.org

Holiday Bonanza

CMPG is currently looking for vendors for our annual Holiday Bonanza that will take place on Friday Dec 7th and Saturday Dec 8th. This event is a fun shopping event that raises money for our classrooms! If you make something, bake something or sell something you can participate! Students are encouraged to participate also!

Tables are $25-35 for traditional vendors and $5 for student vendors. If you would like more information, want to apply to have a spot at the event or want to pass the information on to someone else who might be interested, please email Jen Speers at mrsspeers@msn.com.

Parent Volunteers Needed

Are you THANKFUL for Cowles? Please consider giving back with your time.

Did you know that many of the classroom materials you child uses every day are funded and provided by CMPG? (Pre-primary continent puzzles, water tables, computers, recess equipment, etc.)

Did you know that most of the visiting artists, performers and experiences your child enjoys are made possible by funding from CMPG? (Fine Arts Day, poetry slams, Shakespeare, etc.)

Did you know many of the general community items you find around Cowles were provided by CMPG? (Lobby benches, library shelving, cafeteria tables, etc.)

Your child and their classroom directly benefits from the fundraising efforts of CMPG and we can’t do it without YOU! Our general fund budget for 2018-19 is nearly spent for the entire school year.

We have an opportunity to raise additional general funds but we need more volunteers. Can you give a few hours of your time? Share a shift with a spouse or friend! (New volunteers must complete an online training: https://i-pact.com/portal/site/!gateway/page/!gateway-100)

Our greatest needs are:
Saturday, December 1st: 10:30-2:00 and 2:00-6:00
Sunday, December 2nd: 10:30-2:00

Sign up to help with the Cowles beverage stand at the Christkindlmarket HERE!
https://desmoineseuropeanheritageassociation.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?start_over&id=32453

This week, we are wrapping up No-Shave November! Check out some of our staff beards while they last!!

Semso's birthday would have been on November 9th and the month of November happens to be cancer awareness month."No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness. Learn more about how you can get involved and start getting hairy!"

For more information on No-Shave November go to: https://no-shave.org/

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

• Be mindful of the handicap parking spots. Only vehicles authorized to park in the handicap parking spots may do so.
• 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

#WeAreCowles

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