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

Fully Virtual Learning For All Students

• DMPS is conducting learning virtually through Friday, December 11th
• DMPS will request to file another waiver for fully virtual learning to extend beyond Friday, December 11th
• Stay tuned for communication from DMPS regarding the status of fully virtual learning waivers and virtual/in-person instructional options for the second semester

CMPG Monthly Meeting

• Monday, December 14th at 6:00 p.m.

Winter Break

• Wednesday, December 23rd through Sunday, January 3rd
• No school for students

Questions? Contact Cowles Montessori School

• Phone: 515-242-7818
• Email: Shannon Hines shannon.hines@dmschools.org

Dear Cowles parents/guardians:

National Hand Washing Awareness Week, December 6-12, 2020, sponsored by the Henry the Hand Foundation, reminds us to WASH OUR HANDS, especially this time of the year because it’s cold and flu season. Handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of germs that may make you and others sick. Henry the Hand Presentation (Video)

1. Take action and practice proper handwashing often

2. Use soap and water How to wash your hands FLYER

3. It only takes 20 seconds to practice hand hygiene -Sing happy birthday song x 2 or ABC’s song

4. You should wash your hands:

• After using the restroom
• Before, during and after preparing food
• Between handling raw and cooked or ready to eat food
• Before eating
• After using a tissue or handkerchief
• Before and after attending to sick children or other family members
• After handling animals
• When hands are visibly dirty

Join Henry the Hand and practice the 4 Principles of Hand Awareness Henry the Hand FLYER

to help you remain healthy during the COVID-19 and cold and flu season. Also, make time to get a flu shot on your lunch break. PCHD continues to offer drive-up flu shots M-F 9am-4pm at 1906 Carpenter Ave. Most major insurance accepted (bring your card). Without insurance, a flu shot is $25 for regular dose or $50 for high dose (elderly) but no one will be turned away for inability to pay. They will be operating throughout the month of December. Take the whole family and get one today!

The news about vaccines for COVID-19 looks very promising. While this is a bright spot, the process of rolling out vaccines to all who want them will take time. Be patient and expect some hiccups along the way. You can learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, the approval process, and frequently asked questions here.

The CDC is strongly encouraging all people to NOT travel or gather for the holidays. "Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19." If you do decide to travel, they are encouraging you to test both before and after, plus consider reducing non-essential activities for 7-10 days. More suggestions can be found on the CDC website.

Finally, 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. We will have more information about the new CDC quarantine options next week

OTHER REMINDERS:

A current preschool physical is required for preschool enrollment each year for licensure. If you have not turned one into me, please do so asap.

A dental screen/exam is required for all Kindergarteners and Preschool students from age 3-6 years of age. If you have not submitted a completed form to me, please do so by December 15th. Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.

FREE MEALS: Cowles will not be a virtual meal site through December 11th. Please find a location that is convenient for you for pick up. If you have a special diet, please contact Anita Turczynski, RDN, LD, DMPS Food Service Dietitian at 515-242-7636 and she can help you. Thank you. Remember these are meals for ages 1-18 years of age. No ID required. HERE.

Food Bank of Iowa: 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: Tell someone how important they are. The Kindness Elves are challenging you to reach out to the people in your lives. Did you know that there is a direct correlation between the people we love and/or the friendships we build and the impact on our health and well-being? It has been known to increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost your happiness, reduce stress, and even improve your self-confidence and self-worth as well as many other health benefits. We know 2020 has been a particularly hard year for many. Now is a good time to write letters or call relatives or friends. Let them know how important they are. Let them know you care. Kindness matters more than ever this year.

Be well! Stay safe!

Nurse Ann

If parents want to book an appointment time to speak with Nurse Ann, click on the link below:

Nurse Ann's Office Hours

CMPG wants to bring more awareness to businesses that are operated by Cowles Families with the hope that we will support local Cowles industries year round.

Visit SupportCowles.com to view the businesses and what they have to offer. Support these businesses between now and the end of 2020 and they will donate a portion of sales back to Cowles School.

If you'd like to add your business, please email TevaLee@gmail.com.

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 carerr 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%

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