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

Popsicles in the Park - Sunday, August 19th from 3:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at Colby Park

- Meet your child(ren)'s teacher, enjoy your popsicles, and play in the park!

- Inside of the Windsor Heights Community Center you can locate the following:

• View your child(ren)'s class lists
• Sign up for Community Education (Piano, Dance, Dramatykes, Spanish, and more!)
• Join the Walking School Bus
• Pay textbook and supply fees
• Learn more about the Cowles Montessori Parent Group

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

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

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

____ 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
  

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

____ Volunteer as a supervisor for the Walking School Bus

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

We will see you soon!

The safety and security of students at Cowles is of upmost importance. As part of the continuous review of our practices, we will be updating our systems and receiving ongoing support at the building, district, and city levels. Here is a quick glance:

- Traffic and Road Crossings

• Updated traffic flow and drop-off/pick-up maps and important things to remember (see the car line sections below)
• Increased supervision at the intersections of College/64th Street and Washington Street during drop-off/pick-up times
  

- Code 411 program

• The Windsor Heights Police Department will be collaborating with our Middle School to provide students with programming about internet security, bullying and harassment, drugs/tobacco/alcohol, and etc.
  

- Visitor Check-in/out

• Our system has a new location in the office

Please know my door is always open if you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, or concerns.

- Mr. Johnson

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

• 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

CMPG Monthly Meetings at Cowles

• September 10th at 6:00pm
• October 8th at 4:00pm
• November 12th at 6:00pm
• December 10th at 4:00pm
• January 14th at 6:00pm
• February 11th at 4:00pm
• March 11th at 6:00pm
• April 8th at 4:00pm
• May 13th at 6:00pm

CMPG Events

• Trunk-or-Treat - Wednesday, October 24th at 6:00pm - at Cowles
• Holiday Bonanza - TBA
• Skate Night - TBA
  
• Sweetheart Dance - Friday, February 8th - at Cowles
• Fundraiser - Cowles After Dark - TBA
  
• Fundraiser - Des Moines Arts Festival - Friday, June 28th through Sunday June 30
  

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