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Cowles Montessori Crier

Week of August 31st

CowlesMontessori CrierWeek of August 31st
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Cowles Montessori Vision

“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

Virtual Family Orientation Nights!

Parents, children, and caregivers will be tuning in virtually for Family Orientation Nights this week. We will be introducing educators at each level and explaining the Cowles Montessori Virtual Campus and Distance Learning experience. We have posted the schedule and links to the virtual orientation nights for your convenience.


Upper Level Orientation - (4th, 5th, 6th)

Monday, August 31st at 3:30 p.m.


Lower Level Orientation - (1st, 2nd, 3rd Grades)

Tuesday, September 1st at 3:30 p.m


PrePrimary Orientation - (PreK & Kindergarten)

Wednesday, September 2nd at 3:30 p.m


Middle School - (7th & 8th Grades)

Thursday, September 4th at 3:30 p.m.

Meet Our New Educators!

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Ms. Jules - Library Associate

I’m an Illinois native who loves Des Moines. Before moving with my family four years ago, I taught ten years as a 6-12 language arts teacher. I have a math endorsement and a library science endorsement, which shows that I love learning! I have four girls who are 4, 5, 12, and 13 with my husband, Brad. Brad is always willing to ponder hypotheticals and big dreams, which is why I’m super lucky to say that I’m one of the co-founders of the Des Moines Children’s Museum. I’m excited to be part of the Cowles family. I can’t wait to talk books with everyone!
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Ms. Justine - Special Education

Hi! My name is Justine Gelner. I am from Des Moines, Iowa, and I attended Chapman University in Orange, California, graduating in 2019. My degree is in Peace Studies. I’m excited to spend time at Cowles and share my love of Montessori with others. I attended Cowles from age 4 through 8th grade. In my free time, I like to be outdoors, whether going to the beach or going hiking or even just reading outside. Fun Facts: I have a cat, If I were an animal I would want to be a dolphin, and the best job I have ever held was working at Walt Disney World!
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Ms. Riedinger - PrePrimary

Hello! My name is Hannah Riedinger. I graduated from Luther College in 2019 with a degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in Reading and Early Childhood. I student taught in Waukee, IA, and had the chance to work in various grade levels from preschool up to 6th grade. Over the last year, I subbed at the elementary level until I had a long-term placement in 6th grade English. I'm excited to get back to my teaching roots by being a new Preprimary teacher at Cowles. I am excited about this journey, and I am thrilled to be joining the community at Cowles!
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Ms. Sam - Lower Level

Hello! My name is Sam Sindlinger, and I am originally from Charles City, Iowa. I graduated college from the University of Northern Iowa in 2018 with a degree in Elementary and Middle School Education with endorsements in Science and Social Studies. I had the opportunity to student teach in Aurora, Colorado, and finished the school year teaching 6th Grade Social Studies. Last fall, I moved to Puebla, Mexico, to be an English Teacher at an orphanage. Now, I have the pleasure of being a lower level teacher with Cowles and am looking forward to being a part of the community!
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Ms. Allie - Upper Level

My name is Ms. Allie Meyer. I am currently in my 6th year of teaching, all of which have been at McKinley Elementary School. I graduated from Roosevelt High School and went on to get my degree in Elementary Education with a science endorsement from The University of Iowa. I completed my M.S.E in Culturally Responsive Leadership and Instruction, with an endorsement in English Language Learning from Drake University, this past December. My experiences at McKinley have enriched my understanding of equity through the lens of ELL instruction and social-emotional learning. I am excited to help all students grow and learn how their successes contribute to our Cowles Montessori community!

Important Updates

Cowles Montessori Virtual Campus and Distance Learning

  • First day of school for all students Prek-8th Grade: Tuesday, September 8th
  • All virtual learning will now be conducted to all students by Cowles Montessori faculty and staff through the Cowles Montessori Virtual Campus and Distance Learning program (NOT through the DMPS Virtual Campus).
  • See the "Cowles Montessori Virtual Campus and Distance Learning" section below for details.


1-to-1 Computers

  • All PreK-8th Grade students will receive a district-issued computer.
  • Each computer is assigned to the student.
  • If you already have a laptop from Cowles, you will keep it, that is your district-issued computer.
  • If you do not have a laptop, please come to the building on one of the distribution dates: Tuesday, September 1st, 12:00-3:30; Wednesday, September 2nd, 8:30-12:00; or Thursday, September 3rd, 3:00-5:30
  • Call 515-242-8221 for technical support.


School Supply Fees

Please pay by September 8th (First day of classes). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Matt Wier, CMPG Treasurer, at treasurerCMPG@gmail.com.

Fees will remain the same as in the past:

  • PreK to 6th Grade = $40/student
  • Middle School = $30/student
  • Specials Donation = $5/student
Supply Fee payment options:
1) Checks can be mailed to: CMPG 6401 College Ave., Windsor Heights, IA 50324
2) Myschoolbucks.com
  • Log In to myschoolbucks.com
  • Under the drop-down menu for School Store click on the option Browse All items
  • Choose the needed options, Classroom Supply Fee, Specials, Open Donations, Field Trips
3) Venmo @CMPG6401
  • Please add student names and what you are paying in the notes portion.
4.) Paypal @ CMPGDM@gmail.com)
  • Please add student names and what you are paying in the notes portion.
5.) Cowles-Montessori-Parent-Group.square.site
  • Please add student names in the notes portion while checking out.


Cowles Shop:

https://shop.spreadshirt.com/cowlesmontessori

Cowles Montessori Virtual Campus and Distance Learning

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Microsoft Teams: Virtual Community Building, Small Groups, 1-on-1s

Our Cowles Montessori Teachers will provide synchronous (live & scheduled) virtual instruction through Microsoft Teams to all Cowles Montessori Students beginning the week of September 8th.
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Canvas: Montessori & DMPS Online Learning

Students will follow the Montessori scope & sequence (PreK-6th Grade) and the DMPS curriculum (7th & 8th Grades) online through Canvas.
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Montessori Made Manageable: Distance Learning Materials

Montessori Made Manageable is self-paced Montessori paper materials that will be distributed to families to work on off-line. This practice material can be completed successfully independently or with parent guidance (if developmentally appropriate).

General Student Virtual and Distance Learning Schedule

Return to Learn Timeline

  • March: DMPS closed its schools amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.
  • April: Iowa schools began the voluntary distance learning process to complete the 2019-2020 school year.
  • July: The Iowa Department of Education approved the Return to Learn plan for DMPS that outlined Hybrid and Distance Learning options for families for the 2020-2021 school year. This plan was communicated to the community, and families began registering their children for the option of their choice.
  • July: Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation regarding Return to Learn plans for Iowa schools.
  • August: The DMPS School Board is planning to delay the start of the school year beginning after Labor Day for students.
  • September: All students will begin the school year virtually (not in-person) after Labor Day. Cowles Teachers will teach the distance/virtual learning to all students through the Cowles Montessori Virtual School and Distance Learning program (NOT through DMPS Virtual Campus).

Cowles Return to Learn Programming

For all humans to flourish in our current society, we are exercising “social distancing” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this process is to slow the spread of the virus. It is a collaborative effort to “flatten the curve,” which is a process to reduce the number of individuals needing medical attention and to not overwhelm the current health care responders with those in need. This means that students are not able to attend and learn in their traditional school environments. Virtual and distance learning programs were developed to ensure the highest level of safety for our school community and to continue the academic growth and development of our students.

#MaskUpDSM

#MaskUpDSM
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Contact Cowles Montessori

#WeAreCowles #heartsintheheights #BLM #AntiBiasMontessori

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