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Cowles Montessori

Updates 8/5/21

CowlesMontessori Updates 8/5/21

Shop for Cowles Montessori Gear

Start the school year in style! Our partner, Raygun, created the Cowles Montessori Store for children, adolescents, and adults to buy T-Shirts. A portion of your payment is donated directly to Cowles!


You can purchase mugs, hats, and other T-Shirts through our Cowles Shop.

Online Education Available for K-5th Grade Students

DMPS is offering a virtual option for all K-5th Grade students. If you are interested in enrolling your child in the fully virtual option, click here to find out more.


This program will provide online, independent, self-paced grade level instruction for students. Parents should note that this is a change from virtual learning during the 2020-21 school year.


If you would like your child to begin the school year online, please complete the registration process no later than Monday, August 16.


Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Will there be a fully virtual option for preschool students?
A: No, there will not be a fully virtual option for preschool students.


Q: If my family chooses to enroll in the virtual program, will my child be taught by their Cowles Montessori Teacher?

A: No, this option is completely outsourced through Edgenuity. Virtual students will follow Edgenuity's grade-level curriculum and learn asynchronously (self-paced through an online web-based format).


Q: If we choose to enroll in the virtual program, how long will my child attend fully virtually?

A: Virtual enrollment is a commitment for the 1st Semster.


Q: Will my child return to Cowles when the virtual option ends?

A: Yes, any student who enrolls in the virtual program will be able to return to Cowles in person when the virtual program ends.


Q: How many students can attend the fully virtual option?

A: There is currently no limit to the number of district students who can attend this fully virtual option.


Q: What is the process to enroll my child in the virtual learning option?

A: Click here for details.


Q: Who can I contact with questions?

A: Click here to submit a question.

Classroom Supply and Textbook Fees

Please pay your child(ren)'s classroom supply fee and textbook fee. These fees directly support your child's classroom with important classroom supplies and texts that align with our Montessori and Middle School curriculum. For directions on how to pay your child's fees, see the information posted below:


Classroom Supply Fees

Skip school supply shopping! Your child’s teacher knows best the materials needed for the classroom. Instead of searching for crayons and kleenex, parents contribute to their child's classroom fund. Teachers then purchase the classroom supplies with the funds provided.

  • PreK-6th Grade Classroom Supply Fees are $40.00
  • 7th and 8th Grade Classroom Supply Fees are $30.00
  • Consider donating to "Field Trip Expenses" and "Special Donations to Music, Art, P.E."

There are four convenient ways to pay classroom supply fees:

  • www.myschoolbucks.com (see directions below)
  • Venmo (@CMPG6401) Please leave students names in the comments section when paying with Venmo or Paypal
  • Paypal (CMPGDM@gmail.com) Please leave students names in the comments section when paying with Venmo or Paypal
  • If you prefer to pay via cash, check, debit, or credit in person, complete the attached form posted below this message to determine the total cost for your child(ren).


Directions for paying classroom supply fees on MySchoolBucks:
  1. Go to https://www.myschoolbucks.com/
  2. Click on "Log In"
  3. Log in or register for the Des Moines Public Schools Parent Portal
  4. Click on "School Store" or “Browse All Items”
  5. Click on "School Fees"
  6. Click on the corresponding grade level (e.g., "Classroom Supply Fees PreK-6th Grade" or "Classroom Supply Fees 7th & 8th Grade").
  7. Click on "Student" and select your child's name
  8. Click on "Add to Basket"
  9. Go to the "Basket" in the upper right-hand corner of the page
  10. Enter your payment information and click on "continue"
  11. Submit payment
  12. *Consider donating to "Field Trip Expenses" and "Special Donations to Music, Art, P.E."


Textbook Fees

  • Pay district textbook fees here
  • Only K-8th Grade students have textbook fees
  1. Click on "Log In"
  2. Locate 21-22 CWTXTE/CW TEXTBOOK FEE (2021-22 School Year)
  3. Click on "ADD TO CART"
  4. Go to the cart and click on "Checkout"
  5. Enter your payment information and click on "Submit"

ISASP Parent Portal

The ISASPs are the statewide assessment for students in 3rd through 12th Grade. There is now an ISASP Parent Portal available for parents to access results and resources.


ISASP Parent Portal

The ISASP Parent Portal provides secure online access of individual student results to families. Families will need to first create an account for the portal and enter the student’s name and date of birth, along with the student’s claim code. A claim code is currently only available for students who tested in person. Email or call the Cowles office for your child's claim code if they completed the assessment in person during the 2020-2021 school year.


Link to parent portal: https://ia-results.pearsonaccessnext.com/login


Schoolwide ISASP assessment data will be shared during the Principal's Report at the virtual CMPG Meeting on Monday, September 13th at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom.

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Important Dates and Events

Metro Kids (Before and After School Care) Registration

  • Register here for before and/or after-school care (This is optional and as openings remain available.)
  • Ryan Poulter will be our new Metro Lead for the 2021-2022 school year
  • Metro Kids will update anyone on the waitlist as open spots become available
  • Metro Kids Hiring Fair is occurring on 8/5/21

Popsicles in the Park

  • Sunday, August 22nd at Colby Park in Windsor Heights from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
  • Click here to access the CMPG Facebook page for updates
Back to School Open House
  • Tuesday, August 24th from 3:30-4:45 p.m. at Cowles

First Day of School Kindergarten-8th Grade Students

  • Wednesday, August 25th
  • Doors open at 8:15 a.m.
  • School begins at 8:30 a.m.
  • Students are dismissed by 3:25 p.m.

Day of Peace/Dr. Maria Montessori's Birthday

  • Tuesday, August 31st
  • Day of Peace will be a modified version of our annual Peace Walk
  • Stay tuned for more details

Preschool Orientation

  • Thursday, September 2nd from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at Cowles

First Day of School for Preschool Students

  • Thursday, September 9th
  • Half-Day 8:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Full-Day 8:30-3:25 p.m.

CMPG Monthly Meeting (Virtual Zoom Meeting)

  • Monday, September 13th from 6:00-7:00 p.m., this is now a virtual Zoom meeting

No Cost Meals Provided to all DMPS Students

As your school prepares to welcome students back for the 2021-2022 school year, our staff in the Food and Nutrition Department are finalizing healthy breakfast and lunch menus and updating records. We all know that children need healthy meals to learn and Des Moines Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day.


Your school is offering no cost meals in school year 2021-2022 through the U.S.D.A.'s Seamless Summer Option. To receive a breakfast and lunch at no cost, each student must select certain food items deemed by the U.S.D.A. to be part of a healthy meal. Our staff will be available to help your students make those selections. Each student may have one breakfast and one lunch per school day.


FRL Families

While you do not need to take any action for your student to receive meals at school, a free and reduced-price application may be needed by your school for other programs, such as P-EBT. If your child is already approved for free or reduced price meals - NO ACTION IS REQUIRED.