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
The Heart Of The Matter
Dear Cowles parents/guardians:
I know that sometimes we go to school or work not feeling our best, but this year we really need everyone to think differently about the signs and symptoms of illness, regardless of whether they think they have COVID-19 or not.
We have tools that you can use to help you monitor your child’s signs and symptoms daily and know when you should send your child to school that you can use. Please see the attached documents for your reference.
- You should evaluate your child’s signs and symptoms every day before they come to school.
- If they have any symptoms of illness or they have a fever, they should stay home. Remember, one of the benefits to hybrid/virtual school this year is that they can miss a day in the building and keep learning from home.
- If their symptoms of illness are not improving or you have a concern that they might have COVID-19, please call your healthcare provider to determine next steps. If you don't have a healthcare provider, please feel free to call me. It can be challenging to tell the difference between routine illness symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms without a test.
We want to help keep everyone healthy and stay in hybrid learning for long as we can, but that means everyone must do their part. Staying home when ill is more important than ever this year.
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our community, and therefore, mitigation measures are not just for school. Remember to wear a face cover or mask, keep 6 feet away from others who don't live in your household, avoid crowds and large gatherings, and wash your hands. These are all steps that help protect our whole community so be safe when you are out and about.
If you have a COVID-19 issue such as a pending or positive test, a close contact with someone who is positive, or if a member of your household is positive, please contact me. I can help you sort through the questions and figure out next steps, including when you can return to in-person activities.
OTHER REMINDERS:
Extra clothes: There are occasional accidents at school i.e. wet pants, ripped pants, bloody noses etc. If your child is known to have an occasional accident, please send extra supplies with your child in their backpack. If you would like to donate, please send new items to the nurse’s office. Cowles accepts all size packages of new underwear boys and/or girls, leggings, sweatpants or tops, t-shirts and socks. These items, if needed, go home, and do not come back this year. Also, please pack extra masks daily in your child’s backpack. If you would like to donate masks, especially children’s masks, please contact me.
It’s getting cold out there so let’s bundle up! Please make sure your child dresses for the weather and preferably dressed in layers. Please don’t forget a warm coat, hats, mittens or gloves, boots, etc. as needed. We want your child safe and warm outside, especially now that the snow has already started flying.
Vision screens: Vision screens for all our preschoolers, Kindergarteners, and 3rd graders are completed. Results will be sent home to parents/guardians of the students who did not pass this week. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Dental Screens: Courtney Wolterman, Smile Squad Program Director from Dental Connections will be here on November 5th and November 9th to conduct dental screens on our Kindergarteners. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. Results will be sent home with students who do not pass.
Free Meals: Remember free meals are available to all DMPS students, ages 1-18, now through May 31st, regardless of income. No ID required. More information found here.
Food Bank of Iowa: Also, I am attaching this great resource for our Cowles Montessori School families. Our pick-up location is Meredith Reformed Church, 5128 Meredith Dr., Wed: 11:30a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Please see attached document for the other 13 locations located throughout the city.
Kindness Challenge: Our Cowles Kindness Elves were busy last month sending thank you cards to the many community helpers among us like our firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, mail carriers, veterinarians, bus drivers, librarians, city and government officials, and many more. We all can be a community helper as adults, neighbors, friends, parents and even as children and that is by becoming a volunteer in your local community. There are all kinds of ways to volunteer in your community and becoming an active member.
This month the Kindness Elves would like to challenge you to donate to a homeless shelter or donate to the Food Bank of Iowa.
“Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.” Kindness is free to give, but priceless to receive. #show love https://youtu.be/vJFlO9-poJ8
I hope all of you have a great fall break! I’ll be back on Wednesday! If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. I am always happy to help.
Be well! Stay safe!
Nurse Ann 😊
Contact Cowles 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
