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

• Wednesday, September 18th at 3:30 p.m. - Cowles Music Room
• Audition form is posted below
  

Auditions for Maria Montessori: The Musical

• Friday, September 20th at 3:30 p.m. - Cowles Music Room
• Audition form is posted below
  

Teacher Professional Development Day (No School for Students)

• Friday, September 27th

CMPG Monthly Meeting

• Monday, October 14th at 6:00 p.m. - Cowles Music Room
  

Picture Day

• Friday, October 18th

Graduation Walk

• Saturday, October 19th

Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Before/After School from October 21st – October 30th

Trunk or Treat

• Friday, October 25th
  
• More details to come
  

Teacher Comp Day for Conferences (No School for Students)

• Thursday, October 31st

Welcome to Maria Montessori the Musical! We received a lot of great feedback about students’ interest in being part of the musical and hope they will find this experience fun, exciting, and rewarding. Below you will find details about what parents should know about the musical and important dates to note.

Who can audition?

The musical is open to ALL Cowles students. No previous theater experience is required.

What is the audition workshop and is this required?

The audition workshop is not required to audition or be part of the musical. This is being offered as a fun way to learn about what your students would experience when going to a real theater audition and can help ease nervousness about public speaking and performing.

Why is there an audition?

The audition process is to gauge interest for those who want to act, sing, and dance and for those who want to work backstage. While there is no lead role, there are opportunities for a limited number of short speaking parts. The musical is an ensemble production. Everyone who auditions will have a role in the musical, whether onstage or backstage.

Is the audition form required to participate?

Yes! This will help directors organize students, students’ interests, as well as have important information about your student, such as emergency contacts and allergy information.

Where should I return the audition form?

Please drop off audition forms in the front office, bring them to the audition, or email them to: montessorimusicaldirectors@gmail.com

What will my child(ren) be learning?

There are six songs to learn, one of which the whole school will learn in music class. There will also be a simple choreography. A limited number of students will have speaking parts. This musical is truly for ALL levels and for anyone who in interested in being part of this school-wide experience.

What is the musical about?

The musical is about the life of Maria Montessori and her inspiring story that all of our children get to benefit from today. The musical itself is very ensemble-driven and has the energy of a modern-day musical – think Hamilton!

Is there a cost to be involved?

There is no cost to be part of the musical.

How will I get updates about the musical? Who can I contact with questions?

The musical is a school event and updates will be shared in the Crier. You can also email: montessorimusicaldirectors@gmail.com

Please visit the musical’s Facebook page for details on rehearsal schedules and more. The Facebook page will have the most timely information for parents. https://www.facebook.com/CowlesMusical/

Will my student be required at all rehearsals?

The directors will refine the rehearsal schedule once the number of students who want to participate is determined. While the rehearsal schedule days and times will not change, the students required at each rehearsal will.

Schedule updates will be posted on the Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/CowlesMusical/

How can I find out more about Maria Montessori the Musical?

Visit https://montessorimusical.com/

DATES TO KNOW

Audition Workshop - Wednesday, September 18 at 3:30 - Cowles Music Room

Audition- Friday, September 20 at 3:30 - Cowles Music Room

* If your child(ren) is unable to attend the audition, there will be additional opportunities to sign up.

Rehearsals beginning Friday, Sept. 27

Tuesdays 3:30 to 5:30

Fridays 3:30 to 5:30

Cowles Music Room

* Not all students will be required for all rehearsal times. Please see Facebook page for updates.

* If there is no school, there will be no rehearsal.

Performances - November 20 and 21 – more details to come

A HUGE thanks to the parents and teachers who came to the monthly CMPG meeting! We received approval for $5940 from the General Fund and $300 from Art Fund for a total of $6240! These funds will support our Professional Development, Parent Education, and classroom materials!

Community Events:

• Oct 25th: Trunk or Treat 6-8pm at Cowles
• Nov 20 & 21st: Montessori: The Musical
• Dec 6 & 7th: Holiday Bonanza
• Jan 9th: Cowles Family Skating Night @ Skate North
• February 7th: Sweetheart Dance
• Spring Fundraising Event: TBD
• June 26th-28th: Des Moines Art Festival (sign up to volunteer now!)
  

From the American Montessori Society:

On, August 31, we marked Dr. Maria Montessori's 149th birthday, and kicked off a yearlong celebration leading up to next year's 150th birthday anniversary!

This feminist, icon, and pioneer shattered gender barriers, blazed a trail for women in medicine, championed peace and social justice, and became one of the great thinkers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Maria also revolutionized the field of education, by empowering children to build a better world. It is a revolution still happening today in the thousands of schools worldwide that bear her name and are authentic practitioners of her Method—and AMS is proud to lead that charge.

Over the next year, we'll honor the life and legacy of the woman who started it all!

Here's just some of what we have planned for the next year:

• The summer 2020 issue of Montessori Life will be entirely dedicated to the 150 years of Maria Montessori’s life and legacy.
• Look for content on our social media channels from historic Montessori sites, including her birthplace of Chiaravalle, Italy.
• All attendees of The Montessori Event 2020 will be invited to a birthday bash honoring Maria.
• We’ll explore the meaning of Dr. Montessori’s work in free Quotable Conversation online events. Registration opening soon.
• We are working in conjunction with local groups and governments in Italy to memorialize Dr. Montessori to ensure that future generations know about her work. Stay tuned for ways you can support this initiative.
• Use #WeHeartMontessori all year long to show us how you are celebrating and honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Montessori.

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