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Cowles Montessori Crier

Week of August 24th

CowlesMontessori CrierWeek of August 24th
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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

Thanks to our CMPG & Parent Volunteers for Totes, Masks, & Shields!

A HUGE thank you to our CMPG Board and parent volunteers who made totes and donated masks and shields to our Cowles Montessori faculty and staff!


Parents who sewed totes:

  • Trish Christiansen
  • Amanda Gran
  • Siobhan Schneider
  • Kate McGovern
  • Lindsay Cook
  • Siobhan Spain
  • Kelly Sanders
  • Katherine Nizzi
  • Ashley Ezzio
Grandparents who sewed totes:
  • Carmen Murillo
  • Maribeth Newman
  • Sherrie Swim.


The squad of sewers made 60 totes in all. Additional totes were donated to the Supply Hive, a small yet mighty local organization that works closely with Black Lives Matter to "provide a space of nourishment through extraordinary times in order to build the next leaders."


CMPG purchased the masks for all staff at a very discounted rate from Tham Krizmanic, of the local Chongs Tailor, who make and sell adult and kids masks.


CMPG President Rochelle Quiner wrote the note of gratitude and encouragement for each staff member.

Hiring Announcements!

We were busy this summer hiring faculty and staff or the 2020-2021 school year! I am excited to welcome the following individuals to the Cowles Montessori Team:
  • Julie Burtnette - Library Associate
  • Hannah Riedlinger - PrePrimary Teacher
  • Sam Sindlinger - Lower Level Teacher
  • Allie Meyer - Upper Level Teacher
  • Justine Gelner - Special Education Associate

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.


Class Placements:

  • Please continue to be patient with us as we await confirmation from DMPS to release our class lists.


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).

#MaskUpDSM

#MaskUpDSM

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

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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