Cowles Montessori Crier
August 14th
Staff Spotlight!
"Iowans shave their hair for childhood cancer research Worldwide, one child is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes. But in Iowa, an event has continued to fun childhood cancer research, one shaved head at a time."
Read or view the story online (click HERE).
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation says they will keep donations open until the end of August.
Hiring Announcements!
Deb Alexander - Upper Montessori Teacher
Doug Fiore - Upper Montessori Teacher
Kelly Crull - Building Substitute
Marianne Wanerus - Reading Interventionist
Martha Monroe - Library Associate
McKenna Moses - Building Associate (K-1)
Rachel Andrews - Math Interventionist
Vacant - Orchestra
Back-to-School Night + Popsicles on the Playground
The Cowles Montessori Parent Group (CMPG) and the Cowles Community Group are combining two events into one: Back-to-School Night and Popsicles on the Playground.
The idea behind this event is to help teachers and families. Like any new event, there will be hiccups, and we will learn. However, we are excited about what we have come up with this year :)
The event is on Monday, August 21st, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Cowles. Like back-to-school night, this event is contractually mandated for classroom teachers. CMPG will provide light snacks in the staff lounge for staff only to support the long day.
From 4:30-5:30 p.m., all students, families, and teachers will be in the playground area. There will be three booths that CMPG will be managing:
- Popsicle booth
- Class roster booth with glass buttons
- Tour Guide booth
Middle school volunteers will give tours to new families in and around the school (not yet in classrooms).
There will also be an activity fair on the blacktop or gym. This fair has activities that either Cowles/DMPS or the Community offers.
At about 5:30 p.m., teachers will make their way to their classrooms. At this time, students and families will get to see their classrooms.
It is important to parents that their children get a good night's sleep before the first day of school, which is why it is on Monday instead of Tuesday.
We are very excited about this new event and eager to learn from it.
- CMPG and the Cowles Community Group
Important Dates and Events
Summer Break
- June 3rd through August 22nd
Back-to-School Night/Popsicles on the Playground
- Monday, August 21st, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Meet on the Cowles playground from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- CMPG will provide a popsicle booth, class roster/button booth, and tour booth
- Classrooms will open at 5:30 p.m.
First Day of School (Kindergarten through 8th grade)
- Wednesday, August 23rd
- Doors open at 8:15 a.m. School begins at 8:30 a.m.
- Dismissal is at 3:25 p.m.
Parent Volunteer Training with Taylor Tompkins, Communty In Schools Coordinator
- Wednesday, August 30th, time TBA
- For new and returning classroom parent volunteers
- New volunteers may submit a DMPS volunteer application (click HERE)
Annual Peace Walk/Dr. Montessori's Birthday
- Thursday, August 31st at 10:15 a.m. (weather permitting)
First Day of School (Preschool)
- Thursday, September 7th
- Doors open at 8:15 a.m. School begins at 8:30 a.m.
- Half Day PreK ends at 11:30 a.m.
- Full Day PreK ends at 3:25 p.m.
Bathroom Renovations Are Nearly Complete!
Windsor Heights Police Department Parking Information
The safest and preferred method for pickup of children from Cowles would be through the car line that goes through the Cowles parking lot or on Washington Street.
Vehicles parking too close to intersections creates vision obstructions for other motorists in the area and causes unnecessary congestion in the area. We ask that parents keep in mind the following City Code sections when choosing a parking space to pickup their children after school.
- City Code 60.10.07(5) states parking is prohibited in front of, or within 3 feet of a curb cut of, a public or private driveway.
- City Code 60.10.07(6) states parking is prohibited Within an intersection or within ten (10) feet of an intersection of any street or alley, or as otherwise marked.
- City Code 60.10.03 requires Every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway shall be so stopped or parked within eighteen (18) inches of the curb.
The goal of the Windsor Heights Police Department is to ensure safe, efficient travel surrounding the school - and the parents who are parking too close to driveways and / or intersections are creating hazards to the safety of the pedestrians in the area, as well as other traffic in the area.
Officers with the Windsor Heights Police Department will continue to monitor the area and work to educate parents on the City Codes mentioned above. We appreciate everyone taking it upon themselves to instill safe practices on their own to help reduce congestion and safety issues in the area.
Thank you for helping us spread the word and working to increase safety in the area!
Car Line: Cowles Parking Lot
Car Line Reminders
To ensure student safety and the efficiency of our traffic flow system, please note the following:
- Post your child's name and teacher's name on a homemade sign and display on the dashboard of your vehicle.
- 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
Car Line: Washington Street
Washington Car Line Reminders
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:
- Mrs. Romeo's students and their siblings
- Ms. Deb'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
Save the Date for the 2023 OneRun!
OneRun 2023
When: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 8am
Where: Water Works Park (new location!)
Registration is open!
Link to information and registration: http://www.dmpsfoundation.org/events/
Thank you!
Jazlyn Fitz
DMPS Foundation
OneRun School Liaison
SHOP FOR COWLES MONTESSORI GEAR
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.
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