"Singing allows us to breathe together,

it even puts our heartbeats in unison."

CMPG Meeting - Monday, April 9th - 6:00 p.m. Cowles Library
Principal's Message:

• AMS Annual Conference Highlights
• Walking School Bus Updates
• Construction Updates
  
• Funding Requests

6th-8th Grade: Conditions for Learning Student Survey - April 16th- April 27th
5th Grade: Conditions for Learning Student Survey - April 30th - May 11th
Walking School Bus - Beginning Friday, April 13th

• Promotes healthy lifestyles and active transportation for students, families, and the community
  
• The Walking School Bus is a collaborative effort between Principal Johnson of Cowles Montessori, Jenny Weber of Wellmark, Matt Wier of CMPG, and Michael Loffredo of the City of Windsor Heights (More info posted below)

Cowles After Dark - Saturday, April 21st - Wicker Park 6:00-11:00 p.m (more info posted below!)
Book Fair - April 23rd-April 27th at Cowles
Orchestra Concert - Thursday, May 10th - 6:30 p.m.
CMPG Meeting - Monday, May 14th - 6:00 p.m. Cowles Library
Retirement Party - Wednesday, May 23 4:00-5:30 at WH Community Center (Open to the community to celebrate our retiring faculty and staff)
New-to-Cowles Parent and Community School Tours - Thursday, May 24th 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Montessori Alumni Night - Thursday, May 24th 6:00 p.m. (Open to all past, current, and in-coming students of Cowles Montessori and their families)
Preschool: Last Day of School - Tuesday, May 29th
*Moving Up Ceremony - Thursday, May 31st (*please note this is an update event date)
Kindergarten-8th Grade: Last Day of School - Thursday, May 31st (early dismissal)

Saturday, April 21- Cowles After Dark Event (Adult social and school fundraiser)
Wicker Park - 6:00-11:00 p.m.

Cowles After Dark is not only a really fun social gathering for Cowles loving adults, but it is an important school fundraiser this year that will raise funds for school needs and projects. Here are some ways Cowles students and teachers have benefited greatly from the funds this event has provided:

• Montessori Professional Development for staff
  
• Montessori materials for students
  
• Project Wisdom
• Shelving
• STEM materials
• Classroom supplies

Volunteers Needed! Opportunities of all sizes are available to volunteer

Are you willing to help with:

• Silent Auction
• Set up
• Check in
• Tear Down
• Bidding Assistant
• Wine Pull
• Raffle Wrangler
  

A few hours of your time can make a huge difference for our school!

For more information, visit the VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES tab on the event website.
https://cowles.ejoinme.org/CowlesAfterDark

What is a Walking School Bus (WSB)?

A WSB is a fun way to get to school as a group! Children walk under adult supervision along a recommended route to school. (See the photo attached to this section)

Why Should I Join?

A WSB is an opportunity for children to learn important pedestrian safety skills. WSBs can help reduce the number of parents dropping off children to school, which means reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality around the school. In addition, if your child participates, they will get more physical activity, which will help keep them healthy and prepare them to learn for the day. Finally, it will save you time. Imagine volunteering for WSB just once a week, and having four free days where you do not have to worry about getting your child to school!

What does it cost?

The program is free! It relies on adult volunteers, and the more volunteers, the more days a walking school bus can run.

How do I sign up my child?

It is easy! Just fill out the attached Walking School Bus Consent Form and return it to your school. (Posted below this section)

Who can be a volunteer with the WSB?

All parents, family members, and school staff who have been cleared by [SCHOOL/ SCHOOL DISTRICT] ‘s volunteer screening process. [TAILOR FOR YOUR WSB SITUATION]

We hope that you will join and help volunteer with WSB! It is a great way to spend time with your child before school.

See Nick’s video for a few words of wisdom:

https://flipgrid.com/55396a

Spring means flowers, sunshine and immunization information! In preparation for the coming 2018-2019 school year, I would like to review the immunization requirements for incoming 7th graders at Cowles.

All students entering, advancing or transferring into 7th grade AND born on or after September 15, 2000, will need proof of a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) booster immunization (called “Tdap”) given any time after the age of 7 for school in the fall. Your child may have already received the vaccine and you simply need to provide that documentation to the school nurse. The Tdap vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against not only pertussis, but also tetanus and diphtheria. Tetanus, also known as “lockjaw”, causes painful muscle spasms, usually all over the body including tightening of the jaw so the person cannot open their mouth or swallow. Diphtheria can cause a thick covering in the back of the throat leading to breathing problems, paralysis or heart failure.

All students entering or transferring into 7th grade and born after September 15, 2004, will also need to show vaccine documentation of the meningococcal vaccine, or MCV4. Meningococcal disease is very serious. Approximately 10-15% of people with meningococcal disease die even with appropriate treatment. Of those who recover, up to 20% suffer from serious after-effects, such as permanent hearing loss, limb loss, or brain damage. Meningococcal vaccines are very safe and are 85-100% effective at preventing infection. The meningococcal vaccine requirement will help keep students, friends, families and communities safe.

As you are preparing for upcoming physicals for the next school year, please ask your primary healthcare provider about the Tdap booster vaccine and the meningococcal vaccine. Vaccinations are also available at the Polk County Health Department at 1907 Carpenter Ave. Please call 286-3890 to make an appointment.

Thank you!

Our priorities during construction are as follows:

- Safety and Communication

- Car Line and Parking Lot

- Playground access

3/1/18 - Portion of the playground was removed and a construction fence is up

3/2/18 - The raised gardens and compost were properly moved and stored for future use

3/3/18 - The construction company is preparing for formwork and will be digging to put in footings
3/26/18 - The construction company has spent a great deal of time digging:) The formwork is underway!
3/30/18 - Formwork continues
4/6/18 - Progress continues with formwork. The DMPS construction oversight personnel and the construction company were intentional about reducing noise associated with construction during our testing window

"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."

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/?ref=br_rs
Twitter: @Cowlesdmps