Cowles Montessori School Crier

"Together we celebrate diversity, respect, and the love for learning through the Montessori Method. Our environment nurtures and prepares the child for a global community."

Montessori Student Outcomes

• Intrinsic Motivation
• Creativity and Originality of Thought
• Social Responsibility
• Autonomy
• Confidence and Competence
• Spiritual Awareness
• Academic Preparation

This week, our PrePrimary Team welcomes several new three and four-year-old preschool students to their classrooms! Please extend a warm Cowles Montessori welcome as they join our school this Thursday, September 6th.

Band/Orchestra Parent Meeting – Tuesday, September 4th Cowles Cafeteria – 6:30p.m.

First day of school for Preschool - Thursday, September 6th

• 8:15am Doors Open ("Breakfast in the Classroom" can be picked up in the cafeteria)
  
• 8:30am Class Begins
• 11:30am Half-Day AM Preschool students are dismissed for car line
  
• 3:25pm Dismissal (M/T/TH/F)
• 2:10pm Dismissal (Wednesdays)

Parent-Teacher Conferences – Week of October 15th

• October 17th 2-6 p.m.
• October 18th 4-8 p.m.

Please remember to follow our traffic flow process, honor the drop off areas and pay close attention to the no parking zones near the school. We have updated changes to our car line due to road closures in and near Windsor Heights. Here are current and upcoming road closures from the City of Windsor Heights:

"70th Street Patching Project starting August 27th: The patching project on 70th Street between Colby Avenue and Hickman Road will start Monday, August 27th. 70th Street will be closed from Colby Avenue to Hickman Road for up to 2 weeks for construction. Please find alternate routes. Those who have driveways on 70th Street will need to park on side streets during construction. All work is weather dependent. We have coordinated with the schools and bus. The bus stops for the West Des Moines School District will be moved from the 70th Street pick up locations to 73rd Street."

63rd Street Closure, anticipated starting date of September 10th: The Iowa Department of Transportation will be completing a resurfacing project on 63rd Street between University and Hickman with a start date sometime between September 10 and October 13, 2018. This project will result in 63rd Street being closed to through traffic during the project. Once the project starts, the contract requires the project to be completed within 10-days (excluding weekends). The Iowa DOT has included Windsor Heights City Staff on planning meetings and they will notify the City of their actual start date at least 10-days prior to the start of the project. Once that notification has been made, City staff will push information out through various channels so Windsor Heights residents are aware of the closure. This closure will also affect Cowles, and no doubt the traffic in the area. Public Safety Staff have met with Cowles to ensure the most efficient traffic control during the process. Residents are reminded this should only be a 10-day project and while we understand the frustrations that accompanies road construction, planning should help minimize the impact on residents."

To ensure student safety and the efficiency of our traffic flow system, please note the following:

• If you are new to Cowles or new to parent pick-up, notify the office if you need a sign with your child’s name for your car for parent pick-up
• Drop-off and pick-up locations are marked on the map
• Right-hand turn only when exiting the parking lot
• "NO PARKING" zones are designated by city signs that are posted (also indicated on the map)
• When picking up your child, post their name sign in your window and our teachers will support students crossing and loading into your vehicle
• Watch for signals from teachers supporting students at designated crossings
• Follow the traffic laws that pertain to cell phone use and seat belts while driving

Washington Avenue Car Line

• Due to traffic flow, Washington Avenue Car Line is reserved for the following classes of older students and their siblings:
• Mr. Egherman's students and their siblings
• Ms. Lori's students and their siblings
• Middle School students and their siblings
• Students walk in from Washington Street on the designated sidewalk with teaching monitoring
• "NO PARKING" zones are designated by city signs that are posted
• Avoid turning around in residential driveways
• Follow the traffic laws that pertain to cell phone use and seat belts while driving

Email: todd.johnson@dmschools.org
Website: cowles.dmschools.org
Location: 6401 College Avenue, Windsor Heights, IA, USA
Phone: 515-242-7818
Twitter: @CowlesDMPS