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Cowles Montessori

Parent Newsletter September 16th

CowlesMontessori Parent Newsletter September 16th

Important Dates and Events

Road Closures in Windsor Heights

  • University Avenue from 63rd Street to 69th Street will close Wednesday, September 22nd for pavement patching and joint repair work.
  • This closure will begin at 5 am on Wednesday, September 22nd, and will be closed until 5 am on Thursday, September 23rd.
  • https://www.windsorheights.org//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=797


Professional Development Day

  • Friday, September 24th
  • No school for students


Picture Day!

  • Wednesday, October 13th


Fall Break for Students

  • Begins Thursday, October 28th through Tuesday, November 2nd
  • No school for students
  • Students return on Wednesday, November 3rd
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Garden News

Over the summer, Cowles was very fortunate to have two special volunteers, Rich and Jody, from Windsor Presbyterian Church. They joined the garden committee, which is made up of Marian Riggs, Bret McFarlin, Savannah Calaway, Allie Myer, and Jennifer Gelner.


This past summer, we spent time watering, pulling weeds, and harvesting about 70 pounds of produce that we delivered to the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry. Once school began, our volunteers stepped away, and the staff and students began harvesting the produce for a classroom snack.


The Cowles Girl Scout Troop, led by Valerie Ballard, sanded and painted our large spools. If you haven’t seen them, be sure to look for them when picking up or dropping them off. There is one right by the pollinator garden. Many thanks to them for their effort!


Moving forward, we will begin cleaning out the garden beds and getting them ready for winter. In addition, we will plan for and order the musical instruments for the playground area! We will also focus on the playground area outside the lower level windows, increasing the number of available activities to students during recess.


A few items we could use right now if anyone is willing to donate them are:

  • City lawn bags (prefer not Menards)
  • Children’s garden gloves
  • Adult garden gloves


- The Garden Committee

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"

Shop for Cowles Montessori Gear

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.