Cowles Montessori

We are excited to begin the school year this Wednesday, August 25th, for our Kindergarten through 8th grade students and when preschool students join us on Thursday, September 9th! We are also looking forward to staying connected with our students who are starting the year virtually or at home. The faculty and staff have been busy preparing each classroom, meeting with their teams, and engaging in professional learning. Everyone is excited to get started, and we look forward to observing the growth and development of our students this year! Here are a few tips to help get us started:

• Join us for virtual Back-to-School Night (see links and information below)
• Have your child get a good night sleep and eat a healthy breakfast
• The Cowles doors open at 8:15 a.m., and school begins at 8:30 a.m.
• At this time, parents and volunteers are not allowed inside the building
• Please pay your supply and textbook fees
• Bring any medication or health needs to the main office for Nurse Ann
• Lunch is free for all students
• While not mandated, wearing masks is recommended
• Please stay home if you are feeling ill or showing symptoms of COVID-19

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Out of an abundance of caution, we will not hold an in-person Back-to-School Night in the building. Also, due to the current heat advisory, we will not meet outdoors. Therefore, our Back-to-School Night will be held virtually (not in-person). The Virtual Back-to-School Night will occur on Tuesday, August 24th, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Each level has a link to their live online meeting posted below.

VIRTUAL Back-to-School Night

• Tuesday, August 24th from 3:30-4:45 p.m. (online only)
• This now a virtual event (not in-person at Cowles)
• See links in the above section
  

First Day of School Kindergarten-8th Grade Students

• Wednesday, August 25th
• Doors open at 8:15 a.m.
• School begins at 8:30 a.m.
• Students are dismissed by 3:25 p.m.

Day of Peace/Dr. Maria Montessori's Birthday

• Tuesday, August 31st
• Day of Peace will be a modified version of our annual Peace Walk
• Stay tuned for more details

Preschool Orientation

• Thursday, September 2nd from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

First Day of School for Preschool Students

• Thursday, September 9th
• Half-Day 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• Full-Day 8:30-3:25 p.m.

CMPG Monthly Meeting (Virtual Zoom Meeting)

• Monday, September 13th from 6:00-7:00 p.m., this is now a virtual Zoom meeting

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
• Follow the "right-hand turn only" sign 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

• This is an ideal drop off option for anyone, especially Preschool and Kindergarten before school.
  

• Due to traffic flow, Washington Avenue Car Line is reserved for the following classes of older students and their siblings for pick up after school:
• Ms. Romeo's students and their siblings
• Ms. Allie'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.

Parents, Teachers and Staff of Cowles Montessori,

As school restarts in the Des Moines metro area, the Windsor Heights Police Department wanted to send out a quick reminder of some traffic issues brought to our attention around Cowles Montessori School.

Several locations in the area of Cowles Montessori School are posted as no parking or restricted parking areas. The map below outlines the no parking areas with a red line, and the restricted parking areas in yellow. These areas will be strictly enforced as we resume the school year.

We also feel it is important to emphasize the City of Windsor Heights Code prohibits stopping, standing or parking in areas with posted no parking signs, in front of or within three (3) feet of a curb cut for a driveway, and/or within ten (10) feet of any stop sign. Vehicles are not allowed to stage in these areas.

The Windsor Heights Police Department is committed to the safety of those in our community and our officers will issue citations to any driver in violation of the parking ordinances. We ask for your help in eliminating issues with illegal parking, standing and stopping in the area of Cowles Montessori School to ensure a consistent flow of traffic and safety of those in the area. We also ask for patience and courtesy when traveling in the area. Together, we can ensure the safety of our children and those driving in the area.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (515) 277-4453.

- Officer Chad McCluskey

What: Rider Select Youth Basketball Tryouts

Where: Roosevelt High School

When: August 28, 10am-12pm

Who: Boys grades 4-8

Register at: http://riderselectbasketball.org

Questions? Contact Coach Adam Daley at: Adam.Daley@dmschools.org

Boys interested in cross-country, please download the InstaTeam app and use code SEV82M to join for our schedule, optional practices, and other information. Our first optional practice will be from 3:35-4:45 on August 16 at the bus turn-around at Merrill. Make sure to have running shoes, a water bottle, and a cell phone and running belt if you have them.

Adam Severson

He/him/his

7th Grade Language and Literature

Merrill Middle School

Adam.Severson@dmschools.org

The health and safety of our children and adolescents at school are top priorities. We understand you may have several questions and concerns regarding learning options and mitigation efforts for the 2021-2022 school. Here are updated answers to frequently asked questions:

Q: Can parents enter the building?

• Parents can come into the main office or meet with faculty or staff by scheduling an appointment.
• Parents will not be permitted inside the building past the main office or main entry doorway unless they have a scheduled appointment.
• Parents scheduled to enter the building must sign in with the office manager.

Q: What are the learning options for this school year?

• In-person learning is the primary and preferred learning option for the 2021-2022 school year. "Students benefit from in-person learning, and safely returning to in-person instruction in the fall 2021 is a priority." - CDC
• Preschool does not have a virtual learning option. There is no homeschool option for Preschool because it is not required by the Department of Education. Preschool students must attend in-person to remain enrolled at Cowles.
• Edgenuity is the K-5th Grade virtual learning option. This option requires a commitment for the 1st Semester. Learning is conducted asynchronously (self-paced, web-based, videos, etc.) and follows a grade-level specific curriculum. For more information, click here. Registered students will return to Cowles when the virtual program ends.
• Virtual Campus is the 6th-12th grade virtual learning option. This option requires a commitment for both the 1st and 2nd semesters (full academic year). For more information, click here. Registered students will return to Cowles when the virtual program ends.

Q: What are the mitigation efforts?

• For a healthy start to the school year, click here to read about the mitigation efforts from DMPS. The article includes information regarding social distancing, masks, vaccines, and details from our operations department.
• We have adjusted our lunch schedule to spread students out in the lunchroom by level.
• While not mandated by Iowa state law, wearing masks in school is recommended by the CDC and our school district.
• Prevention and quarantine resources from the Polk County Health Department can be located here.

Please pay your child(ren)'s classroom supply fee and textbook fee. These fees directly support your child's classroom with important classroom supplies and texts that align with our Montessori and Middle School curriculum. For directions on how to pay your child's fees, see the information posted below:

Classroom Supply Fees

Skip school supply shopping! Your child’s teacher knows best the materials needed for the classroom. Instead of searching for crayons and kleenex, parents contribute to their child's classroom fund. Teachers then purchase the classroom supplies with the funds provided.

• PreK-6th Grade Classroom Supply Fees are $40.00
• 7th and 8th Grade Classroom Supply Fees are $30.00
• Consider donating to "Field Trip Expenses" and "Special Donations to Music, Art, P.E."

There are four convenient ways to pay classroom supply fees:

• www.myschoolbucks.com (see directions below)
• Venmo (@CMPG6401) Please leave students names in the comments section when paying with Venmo or Paypal
• Paypal (CMPGDM@gmail.com) Please leave students names in the comments section when paying with Venmo or Paypal

• If you prefer to pay via cash, check, debit, or credit in person, complete the attached form posted below this message to determine the total cost for your child(ren).

Directions for paying classroom supply fees on MySchoolBucks:

1. Go to https://www.myschoolbucks.com/
2. Click on "Log In"
3. Log in or register for the Des Moines Public Schools Parent Portal
4. Click on "School Store" or “Browse All Items”
5. Click on "School Fees"
6. Click on the corresponding grade level (e.g., "Classroom Supply Fees PreK-6th Grade" or "Classroom Supply Fees 7th & 8th Grade").
7. Click on "Student" and select your child's name
8. Click on "Add to Basket"
9. Go to the "Basket" in the upper right-hand corner of the page
10. Enter your payment information and click on "continue"
11. Submit payment
12. *Consider donating to "Field Trip Expenses" and "Special Donations to Music, Art, P.E."

Textbook Fees

• Pay district textbook fees here
• Only K-8th Grade students have textbook fees

1. Click on "Log In"
2. Locate 21-22 CWTXTE/CW TEXTBOOK FEE (2021-22 School Year)
3. Click on "ADD TO CART"
4. Go to the cart and click on "Checkout"
5. Enter your payment information and click on "Submit"

Our partner, Raygun, created the Cowles Montessori Store for children, adolescents, and adults to buy T-Shirts. A portion of your payment is donated directly to Cowles!

You can purchase mugs, hats, and other T-Shirts through our Cowles Shop.

SchoolCNXT

• Register at: https://register.schoolcnxt.com/

#WeAreCowles

#AntiBiasMontessori

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