Cowles Montessori Crier

“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

We are excited to announce the hiring of our Librarian! Help us to welcome Anna Breese to the Cowles Community. Anna previously served in the AmeriCorps through the Iowa Department of Human Rights, and she provided care to adults and children at The Respite Connection. She replaces Erin Fidler who has left Cowles for a position outside of Des Moines Public Schools.

Popsicles in the Park

• Sunday, August 18th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Colby Park in Windsor Heights
  

Middle School Parent Meeting

• Tuesday, August 20th from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at Cowles
  

Back-to-School Night

• Thursday, August 22nd from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Cowles
• Back-to-School Night is a chance to visit the classroom, meet with teachers, pay supply fees, sign up to be a volunteer, and learn more about the traditions and events at Cowles

First Day of School for Kindergarten through 8th Grade

• Friday, August 23rd from 8:30-3:25 p.m.
• Doors open at 8:15 a.m.
  

Annual Peace Walk

• Friday, August 30th from 8:30-10:00 a.m.
• Stay tuned for more information from our Maria Montessori Services Committee
  

New-to-Cowles Preschool and Kindergarten Parent Meeting

• Tuesday, September 3rd from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
• Childcare provided
• New-to-Cowles Preschool and Kindergarten parents will meet with our PrePrimary Teachers to learn more about Montessori Education and the programming provided to our students at Cowles
  

First Day of School for Preschool

• Thursday, September 5th

Teacher Professional Development Day

• Friday, September 27th (No school for students)
  

"Music can touch us in a way that nothing else can. No better gift can we give to the children

then to open this door for them.” – Dr. Montessori

Music is a universal language that adds an essential dimension to life. It has the ability to bring people together across countries and cultures and is loved by both children and adults. In her studies, Dr. Montessori determined that between the ages of 2 and 6-years old children experience a sensitive period for music development. There are numerous benefits to developing a child’s musical ability during this time.

Developing musical abilities aids in building skills related to math and language, vocabulary development and emotional intelligence. While music, in some form, is often included in the daily flow of a Montessori classroom, structured music education is not offered by DMPS until the time a child enters kindergarten. In an effort to fully benefit from this sensitive period for music, we are excited to announce the creation of a Pre-Primary Music Enrichment program for pre-school students. In this program, children will be afforded opportunities to experience music and benefit from its foundational growth opportunities. They will be exposed to various musical instruments, music from different genera’s and different cultures. The program will help them learn how music can elicit and help express emotion tying into the emotional “Zones of Regulation” used in classrooms.

Cowles veteran staff member of nearly 20-years, Beth Strasburg, will work with pre-primary teachers to tailor visits and curriculum in ways that most effectively benefit each student group. We ask that you support this important program with your payment of a $35 program fee (equivalent to $1/weekly class).

If you have questions, concerns or ways in which you would like to be involved in or support this program please contact:

Beth Strasburg (Beth.Strasburg@dmschools.org)

or

Betsy Mitchell (betsyc.mitchell@gmail.com).

Thank you for your help in providing the best Montessori education to students in the greater Des Moines area.

Together we are better!

- Cowles Montessori Parents Group

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

____ 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!

The Cowles Montessori Parent Group (CMPG) will be hosting our students and families for Popsicles in the Park! This event will take place on Sunday, August 18th from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Colby Park. Popsicles in the Park is a great chance to connect with one another and to meet with new and returning teachers and parents!

Check out the CMPG Facebook page for updates throughout the summer!

https://www.facebook.com/CowlesMontessori/

Our student placements for the 2019-2020 school year have been finalized. If your child is new-to-Cowles, or will be going into 3 year-old preschool, 1st Grade, 4th Grade, or Middle School, please call or stop by and we will provide you the name of your child's teacher. We will have full class lists available at our Popsicles in the Park event on Sunday, August 18th.

Phone number: 515-242-7818

Office hours: 8:00-3:30

#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