Cowles Montessori Crier
Week of May 3rd
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
Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP)
- 3rd through 8th grade students
- Testing window begins mid-May
- Continue to check you email regarding messages that pertain to your child's specific grade level and the process for in-person or virtual students
Iowa Conditions for Learning Survey
- 3rd-8th Grade students
- Format for both in-person and virtual students
- Survey window begins May 17th
Last Day of School for Preschool Students
- Friday, May 28th
Memorial Day
- Monday, May 31st
- No school for students, faculty, and staff
Last Day of School for Kindergarten through 8th Grade
- Thursday, June 3rd - early dismissal (dismissal time TBA)
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week!
Take time this week to thank our hard working faculty and staff! Additional support you can provide all our school educators:
Raygun is selling Cowles Montessori T-shirts! A portion of the T-shirt sales will be donated to Cowles Montessori for supporting classrooms:
Parent Support:
In an unprecedented year, we asked an unbelievable amount from our teachers and they undoubtedly rose to the occasion! Teacher Appreciation Week is an opportunity for us to collectively show our appreciation and gratitude as a community. Please take a moment to review the information below on how your family can participate and contribute whether your student/s are in person or virtual.
Monday Munchies (5/3): Please use the Sign Up Genius link below to contribute snacks and goodies that the teachers can enjoy all week. Snacks can be dropped off in the front lobby Monday morning of you can make arrangements with Betsy Mitchell (515.401.8414) for a weekend drop off.
Tuesday Thank You’s (5/4) : We encourage students and parents to write a handwritten note, card, email, chat message to their teacher/s expressing their appreciation and thanks. Share some success, growth or milestones your student has experienced this year. Students will also be encouraged to decorate and return “Thank you” coloring pages or draw a picture of their own that will be posted in the office and vestibule that week. *(Example coloring pages are attached below.) Please have your student return their coloring page to the drop box in the front office by Tuesday morning.
Watch Us Bloom Wednesday (5/5): Each student is encouraged to bring at least one fresh or crafted flower into their teacher. Together, the class contributions will create a unique bouquet the teacher can enjoy for days. Virtual students can drop flowers off or send a photo/GIF through Teams chat.
Thursday - Dinner’s on us! (5/6): Andrea Love, Cowles parent and owner/personal chef of Dinner Delights, has agreed to provide prepared dinner entrees for the teachers.
Friday Farmer’s Market (5/7): Friday afternoon we will set up an outdoor farmer’s market on the east patio from 2:00-4:00. We are asking parents and families to make contributions. (Think...hosta, strawberry (or other plant) splits, fresh flowers or herbs, seed starts, extra direct sale inventory, baked goods (individually packaged), self-care crafts/items, fresh fruits/veggies, etc. The possibilities are endless!) Staff will be invited to come and take home things that they can use, they like and brings them joy.
After the past year, most of us knowingly appreciate teachers more than ever. Let’s make sure they feel it!
Thank you in advance for your participation and generosity!
Betsy Mitchell
515.401.8414
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
Resources For The Chauvin Trial and Beyond
- From St. Paul Public Schools: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_f4jDq0eklZV5Pq3-QrZllRzl8x5UQjPR46UujRyd5U/edit
- From Minneapolis Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/teachers-tackle-tough-conversations-about-chauvin-trial-wright-shooting/600046805/
- From Minnesota Dept. of Ed.: responding to trauma and tragedy
- From Minnesota’s Education Association: resources for educators and parents
- From Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/2021/04/19/what-the-derek-chauvin-trial-verdict-might-mean-for-the-black-community-and-how-workplaces-can-begin-preparing-for-either-outcome/?sh=7186e356423d
Nurse Ann's Office Hours
If parents want to book an appointment time to speak with Nurse Ann, click on the link below:
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