Cowles Montessori Crier
Week of May 24th
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, ADOLESCENTS, and ADULTS) flourish in society (ALL ENVIRONMENTS).” - Cowles Montessori Vision
Important Dates to Remember
In-person Student Computer and Power Cord Return:
- In-person students can begin returning computers with power cords on Monday, May 24th.
Virtual Student Computer Return:
- Preprimary: Virtual PreK students can begin returning computers with power cords on Thursday, May 27th. Virtual Kindergarten students can begin returning computers with power cords after school on Tuesday, June 1st.
- Lower Level: Virtual 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students can begin returning computers with power cords after school on Tuesday, June 1st.
- Upper Level: Virtual 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students can begin returning computers with power cords after school on Tuesday, June 1st.
- Middle School: Virtual 7th and 8th grade students can begin returning computers with power cords after school on Wednesday, June 2nd.
- All student computers with power cords must be returned to the Cowles office by 12:25 p.m. on Thursday, June 3rd
Library Book Return:
- All library books are due on Monday, May 24th.
- Notices for checked out books will be sent home Monday.
- Ms. Jules will then spend the week of May 24-28 contacting parents and talking to students to help locate books.
- Ms. Jules has also asked all the teachers to go through their bookcases before the end of the year. Books can be tricky hiders.
- Here are some places that books sometimes hide: under beds (or the sides of beds); in garages (sometimes when people clean their cars, they get stuck in a garage); under the seats in cars; bookshelves.
- Ms. Jules will also be checking the library shelves. In the fall, we will complete book inventory. This is where every book gets scanned. If a lost book is rediscovered, then any fine will be deleted.
Last Day of School for Preschool Students
- Friday, May 28th
Memorial Day
- Monday, May 31st
- No school for students, faculty, and staff
Middle School Promotion Picnic
- Thursday, June 3rd from 11:30-12:25 p.m. on the east side of the Cowles Montessori building (weather permitting).
- All 7th and 8th grade students (in-person and virtual) are invited to attend in-person.
- Parents of virtual students can drop their Middle School students off at the front of the building and stay in the parking lot or come back for pick up at 12:25 p.m.
- Virtual students will need to bring their own lunch to the Promotion Picnic.
- In-person students will either bring their own lunch or receive a school sack lunch from the cafeteria.
- All students are dismissed from school, and the Promotion Picnic for Summer Break at 12:25 p.m.
Moving Up Ceremony (Prerecorded Video)
- Students will view a prerecorded Moving Up Ceremony on the last day of school.
- Parents will receive a prerecorded video of the ceremony.
- The video will include an explanation of the Moving Up Ceremony and feature students who are moving up to the next level (e.g. Kindergarteners moving up to Lower Level, 3rd Graders moving up to Upper Level, 6th Graders moving up to Middle School, and 8th Graders moving up to High School).
Last Day of School for Kindergarten through 8th Grade
- Thursday, June 3rd - Dismissal at 12:25 p.m.
Volunteer for the Des Moines Arts Festival
- June 25-27th
- Sign up at https://desmoinesartsfestival.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=54057
- Ask your family, friends, neighbors if they want to join you!
- More information is posted below.
The Heart of the Matter
Dear Cowles Parents/Guardians:
The COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer is now available in central Iowa for all teens ages 12 and older.
CDC: FAQ and what to expect after a shot. Pfizer is given as two doses separated by three weeks. You are considered "fully vaccinated" two weeks after the final dose.
Vaccination of ALL eligible persons will take us one step closer to ending this pandemic and resuming life with school, sports, and friends. Please see the attached letter from PCHD.
Where can you find an appointment for your teen? LOTS of places, but keep in mind that a parent or guardian will need to go with them if they are under 18. When scheduling, please be sure to look for appointments using Pfizer vaccine--Moderna and J&J can be used for adults age 18 and older, but Pfizer is the only one authorized for those under 18:
- Polk County Health Dept--schedule at immunizepolk.com and keep an eye on their social media for occasional walk-in opportunities
- Hy-Vee--schedule ahead or may have walk-in availability in some locations
- CVS--schedule ahead or may have walk-in availability in some locations
- Walgreens--schedule ahead or may have same day availability in some locations
- Call your local healthcare provider--Broadlawns, MercyOne, UnityPoint, and Iowa Clinic are all offering vaccines to existing patients
Still have questions? Please give me a call! I am always happy to help!
REMINDERS:
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) requires Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) AND meningitis vaccines for all students entering, advancing or transferring into 7th grade. By law, if students are not fully immunized for both vaccines by the first day of school, they will not be allowed to attend school, participate in sports or attend school-related activities.
Attention Parents of 6th grade students: I have emailed you if your child is missing one or both, of the vaccinations required to start 7th grade. Thank you for your time and attention on this very important matter.
If you are part of our wonderful early childhood program, remember that a current (within one year) physical exam along with up-to-date immunizations are required by the first day of preschool classes. These documents are required for DMPS early childhood licensure. I have attached the forms that you can take to your health care provider.
Kindergarteners will need to have their immunizations up-to-date as well as proof of dental screening and a lead screening on file in the nurse’s office. Iowa law requires all students entering kindergarten submit proof of dental screening between ages of 3-6 years of age and a blood lead screening at some point in their life before age 6. I have attached the dental form if needed. If you have difficulty accessing or affording dental care for your child or family, please contact our community partner Dental Connections at 244-9136.
DMPS encourages children to have periodic physical examinations in grades Kindergarten, 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades. Please turn in the student physical form to the nurse’s office when it is completed by your health care provider.
Providers encourage parents to continue well-child visits that include vaccinations even during the COVID-19 pandemic, to keep your student and others safe. Clinics have precautions in place so they can continue to care for well patients. Please set up an appointment with your health care provider to get these vaccines as soon as possible.
If you do not have health insurance, you can schedule an appointment with the Polk County Health Department at 515-286-3798. Do not wait, as appointments will fill up fast and your child may not be able to see their provider in time. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to contact me, I am always happy to help! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions and thank you for your attention to this matter.
Please remember to notify us if anyone in your family tests positive for COVID-19 or is in quarantine. You can reach me by calling the main office at 515-242-7818 and leave a message or you may email me at ann.humphrey@dmschools.org and I will get back to you.
Have a great week!
Be well! Stay safe!
Nurse Ann
Nurse Ann's Office Hours
If parents want to book an appointment time to speak with Nurse Ann, click on the link below:
Volunteer to Raise Funds at the Des Moines Arts Festival
- Sign up at https://desmoinesartsfestival.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=54057
- Ask your family, friends, neighbors if they want to join you!
Cowles Montessori Parent Group (CMPG) will be once again running one of the nonprofit-run beer and wine sales tents at the Des Moines Arts Festival, and we will also be running the festival's Craft Beer tent! Volunteering at the festival is fun and easy – it’s a great way to get to know other Cowles parents at one of the biggest events in Des Moines, while raising money for fine arts programs at Cowles and in the community. In 2018 we made over $15,000!
How much time? Each new volunteer needs to complete a one hour training session, and then shifts at the booth are typically 3 hours long. You can work up to six hours in any given day.
Who can volunteer? Anyone 18 or older - anyone who might want to have fun while making money for our kids at Cowles! Get a group together to work a shift - Volunteers do NOT need to be Cowles affiliated to come join in the fun - family or friends, the more the merrier!
When is the training? There will be a total of three one-hour training sessions available, all will be held over Zoom, and the training is good for two years:
- Wednesday, June 2, 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Thursday, June 3, 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Tuesday, June 8, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Training is required to volunteer!
When and where is the festival? The Des Moines Arts Festival is June 25-27, at Western Gateway Park.
Where do I sign up? Go to https://desmoinesartsfestival.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=54057 All new volunteers will get a free Cowles T-shirt from RAYGUN, so be sure to mark your shirt size when signing up!
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Winters
at melowinters@gmail.com or 865-9086.
Middle School Cross Country 2021-2022 Season
Roosevelt Cross Country
For more information, contact Coach Schwendinger (aka Coach Schweny) at (515) 975-0335
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Cowles Montessori is excited to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! We are reading books, sharing about history, influential people, holidays, and current events.
From the Des Moines Public Library:
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with books that both honor Asian and Pacific American historical figures and celebrate the Asian and Pacific American experience. Our Book Chat team has put together targeted book lists for every age and genre.
May Library Learning Bags: https://dmpl.org/events/library-learning-bags-superhero-edition
Iowa Legislative Updates
The Education Bill Tracking webpage provides regular updates during the Iowa legislative session on bills related to education in Iowa. Information about new bills, including names, numbers, and sponsors are provided.
As the session continues to move forward, there are certain session milestones that bills need to clear to stay alive. These milestones are listed within the session timetable
DMPS Early Childhood and District Board Goals
Early Childhood Department/School Readiness Goals & Learning Targets – 2020-2021
- 85% of 4 year-olds will meet or exceed kindergarten readiness in the Literacy Domain of GOLD including concepts of print, alliteration, letter names and letter sounds.
- 80% of 4 year-olds will meet or exceed kindergarten readiness in the Math Domain of GOLD including counts, quantifies and connects numerals with quantities.
- 90% of 4 year-olds will meet or exceed kindergarten readiness in the Social/Emotional Domain of GOLD, follows limits and expectations.
District Board Goals
LITERACY
- Goal 1: The percent of all third grade students on track in reading will increase from 52% to 72% by June 2023, as measured by FAST.
- Goal 2: The percent of black male third grade students on track in reading will increase from 35% to 72% by June 2023, as measured by FAST.
ALGEBRA
- Goal 3: The percent of black male students earning a ‘B’ or higher in Algebra 1 by the end of 9th grade will increase from 17% to 35% by August 2023.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
- Goal 4: A goal will be developed once a baseline measure for social emotional learning is determined.
Cowles Montessori School Improvement Goal
Goal 1: The percent of all third through eighth grade students proficient and/or on track for college and career readiness in math will increase from 81% to 85% by Spring of 2023 as measured by state assessments:
- By 2020 - 82%
- By 2021 - 83%
- By 2022 - 84%
- By 2023 - 85%
Contact Cowles Montessori
Email: shannon.hines@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
