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

After tiptoeing into the 2019-20 school year for the first few days, it’s forward march, full speed ahead for DMPS now, led by two annual events at Westside elementary schools that coincided for the first time Friday morning.

Cowles Montessori has been staging its Peace Walk on or around Maria Montessori’s birthday (August 31) for 27 years now. The natural exuberance that goes along with it is very much in the spirit of the event which honors the founder of the eponymous educational movement with peace as a central tenet.

“We discovered that our route through the neighborhood this year is in the shape of a ‘P’,” said Cowles principal Todd Johnson while his at once tranquil and energetic troops assembled on the playground before parading back through their building, out the front door and around their territory. “That wasn’t by design,” according to Johnson, but maybe it wasn’t an accident either.

The anthem for their event was Light a Candle for Peace, and though the marchers didn’t actually carry candles, they were armed with banners and placards that stated their case for global harmony.

World peace remains an elusive goal, but Cowles continues doing its part for the cause. What started as a one-room preschool experiment more than a quarter century ago is now a unique school that’s more than 400 students (plus a waiting list) strong.

Meanwhile, a couple of miles away the Perkins Penguins were massing on their grounds, anxious to make their annual rounds in celebration of the new school year. Residents lined the curbs of the square block south of the school. Parents, grandparents, younger “future Penguin” siblings and even some pets joined the ranks of marchers. Balloons bobbed above their heads, some of them escaping to soar up, up and away like a time lapse of what’s in store for the young students.

Rank has its privileges, right, so kindergartners fell in right behind Perkins principal Michael Derrick at the head of the parade. Through his bullhorn, Derrick set the tone with chants that first cheered the police escort provided by the DMPD before proceeding on to teachers by name and eventually a steady drumbeat of “Per-kins Pen-guins! Per-kins Peng-uins!”

[Friday night], the high school football season [began] and marching bands will get in step right behind Cowles and Perkins.

It feels like it’s going to be a very good year.

To see photos go to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmps/48648644901/in/album-72157710616216707

New-to-Cowles Preschool and Kindergarten Parent Meeting

• Tuesday, September 3rd from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
• Childcare provided

Upper Level Parent Night and Band/Orchestra Parent Night

• Wednesday, September 4th at 5:30 p.m.

Lower Level Parent Night

• Thursday, September 5th at 5:30 p.m.

• Thursday, September 5th

Cowles Montessori Parent Group Meeting (CMPG)

• Monday, September 9th at 6:00 p.m. - Cowles Music Room

Audition Workshop for Maria Montessori: The Musical

• Wednesday, September 18th at 3:30 p.m. - Cowles Music Room

Auditions for Maria Montessori: The Musical

• Friday, September 20th at 3:30 p.m. - Cowles Music Room

Teacher Professional Development Day (No School for Students)

• Friday, September 27th
  

Chess is a valuable skill that can boost confidence, focus, analytical thinking, and

problem-solving skills. It is a great opportunity to learn good sportsmanship and courtesy as

well. Chess Club will be held on Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and each session will run for 8 weeks. Chess Club does not meet when school is not in session or dismisses early.

Registration is $50 per student.

Registration is accepted through our website: ChessItUpIowa.org

• Click on Cowles Montessori under the School Clubs tab. This will take you to the registration page.
  
• Payment is collected through PayPal in the online registration form.
• Open to K-8th Grade

There are no skill level restrictions, however, it is strongly encouraged that players know the general piece movement and understand checkmate before joining the club. Players will be able to play each other in a casual environment. A brief lesson will occur at the beginning of each session. Worksheets and growth materials will be available and incentivized but not required. Guidance and additional instruction will be available from Coach Jim.

Fall Club: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, MAKE UP 11/6 if needed

Winter Club: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, (NO CLUB 12/25, 1/1), 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, MAKE UP 2/12 if needed

Spring Club: 2/19, 2/26, 3/4, 3/11, (NO CLUB 3/18, 3/25), 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, MAKE UP 4/29 if needed

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