{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Cowles Montessori School","outOfStateSupporters":13.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9583058,"projectId":9718255,"letterContent":"When the materials arrived, my students were immediately excited to explore them. Their eyes lit up as they passed around the new tape measures, timers, and thermometers, eager to begin measuring anything they could find in the classroom. We started with a hands-on \"Measurement Stations Day,\" where students rotated between weighing classroom objects, timing simple tasks, and recording indoor and outdoor temperatures.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments came when a group used the balance scale for the first time. They gasped as they watched the scale tip and worked together to figure out how many cubes balanced a block. That sense of discovery is exactly what these tools create—students learning through experimentation, discussion, and real-world application.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be moving into a project where students track changes in temperature, plant growth, and elapsed time over several weeks. These resources allow us to collect real data, graph our findings, and make meaningful comparisons. Thanks to your generosity, my students are building confidence with measurement and developing skills that will support them across all STEM learning. Your support has truly made our classroom a more engaging and hands-on place to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1762265389073,"projectUrl":"project/measuring-our-world-hands-on-tools-for/9718255/","projectTitle":"Measuring Our World: Hands-On Tools for Young Scientists","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schoenfelder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9583058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720201975412","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9583058"},{"teacherId":9583058,"projectId":9663090,"letterContent":"My students are so excited to watch caterpillars transform into butterflies right in our classroom. Seeing the life cycle happen before their eyes will give them a deeper understanding than any picture in a textbook ever could. The books about butterflies and pollinators will also keep their curiosity alive, and many students are eager to read and share new facts with their classmates.\r\n\r\nThese resources make it possible for me to teach life cycles in a hands-on, engaging way. The butterfly models help students visualize each stage and allow them to compare what they will see in real life with scientific models. The books support both science and literacy, giving students opportunities to practice reading while learning about the important role pollinators play in our world.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are gaining not only knowledge but also a sense of wonder and responsibility for the natural world. This project connects science, reading, and critical thinking in a meaningful way. Thank you for making this memorable learning experience possible—it will have a lasting impact on their education and their love of discovery.","fullyFundedDate":1757806413282,"projectUrl":"project/butterfly-life-cycle-experience/9663090/","projectTitle":"Butterfly Life Cycle Experience","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schoenfelder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9583058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720201975412","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9583058"},{"teacherId":9746977,"projectId":9418432,"letterContent":"My students are so thrilled to have new books. Since getting them into our classroom library, our reading time has been quite productive. I have many young students who are loving the Diary of A Wimpy Kid, The Piggy and Elephant chapter books and all the new leveled readers in the non-fiction category. It is a joy to see the kids receive so many new books, as this doesn't happen very often. \r\n\r\nThe children will learn how to take care of these books. We have a classroom library that is well taken care of. These books will live in our room for many years I'm sure. Thank you for helping my students get excited about books. \r\n\r\nI am grateful for the people I know and do not know who have contributed to this project. This has truly been heartwarming. Thank you for your help in encouraging my students to be stronger, more interested readers.","fullyFundedDate":1753899776926,"projectUrl":"project/new-books-to-read/9418432/","projectTitle":"New Books to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ashley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746977_orig.jpg?crop=2640,2640,x0,y484&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750215078980","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9746977"},{"teacherId":9583058,"projectId":9383967,"letterContent":"When our incubator and chick resources arrived, the excitement in our classroom was incredible! Students immediately gathered around the life cycle model and books, making predictions about what we'll see in the coming weeks. They were amazed to learn that we'll get to witness each stage of development in real time.\r\n\r\nA favorite moment was when one student whispered, \"We're really going to be scientists!\" as we set up the incubator together. These materials are giving my students a hands-on way to connect reading, science, and curiosity.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are tracking the daily changes in the eggs, recording observations in science journals, and comparing what we see with what we're learning from the books. Thanks to your generosity, my students will soon get to celebrate the arrival of our very own chicks!","fullyFundedDate":1750253505464,"projectUrl":"project/hatching-chicks/9383967/","projectTitle":"Hatching Chicks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schoenfelder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9583058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720201975412","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9583058"},{"teacherId":9057239,"projectId":8533167,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping transform our classroom into a more peaceful, purposeful space.\r\n\r\nThe arrival of our rugs was a moment of pure joy for my students. As soon as they were unrolled, students instinctively gravitated toward them—some stretching out to read quietly, others gathering in small groups for collaborative work. It was amazing to watch how something as simple as a rug could immediately shift the energy and function of our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe now use these rugs daily as central spaces for class meetings, independent floor work, and peer collaboration. During our morning work cycle, students have the freedom to choose their work spot—and more often than not, they choose the rug. It's not just a soft place to sit; it's a space that invites focus, independence, and shared learning. One student even commented, \"It feels like home here now.\"\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, we've been able to better support our Montessori values—freedom within limits, independence, and respect for the learning environment. These rugs have become more than just classroom furnishings—they're a foundation for the kind of learning community we strive to build every day.","fullyFundedDate":1723691001286,"projectUrl":"project/comfort-for-curious-minds-rugs-to-enhan/8533167/","projectTitle":"Comfort For Curious Minds: Rugs To Enhance Learning Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Prochaska","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9057239_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685669485833","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mariahprochaska"},{"teacherId":9057239,"projectId":8488582,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Classroom Essentials Project!\r\nWhen my students walked into the classroom and saw the neatly organized supplies—fresh notebooks, bright folders, new pens, and even simple things like erasers and storage bins—their faces lit up. One student quietly whispered, \"This is the first time I've had everything I need on the first day.\" That moment captured the entire impact of your generosity.\r\n\r\nThese materials are already making a daily difference. Instead of scrambling to find a pencil or asking to borrow paper, students can focus immediately on their work. We've started a community writing project, and having consistent access to high-quality supplies has made our workshop time smoother, more productive, and much more enjoyable. Students are more confident, independent, and proud of the work they're producing.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our classroom feels calm, prepared, and student-centered. These essentials are not just tools—they are a foundation for meaningful learning. As we continue the school year, we'll keep using these resources across subjects and projects, knowing that this solid start came from the kindness of donors like you. Thank you for investing in our classroom and in our students' success.","fullyFundedDate":1723692141770,"projectUrl":"project/the-classroom-essentials-project/8488582/","projectTitle":"The Classroom Essentials Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Prochaska","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9057239_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685669485833","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mariahprochaska"},{"teacherId":9583058,"projectId":8917583,"letterContent":"When our new floor cushions and cleaning supplies arrived, my students' eyes lit up! They immediately began choosing their own cozy spots around the room for independent reading and partner math work. One student even said, \"It feels like we're at a library now!\" The flexible seating has helped students stay focused and engaged, while the Swiffer has made clean-up after projects much easier and faster.\r\n\r\nA favorite moment was during writing workshop, when several students gathered together on the cushions to brainstorm ideas and give each other feedback—it created such a collaborative and comfortable environment.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are using these spaces during our science investigations. Students will be able to spread out on the floor with their notebooks, observe closely, and share their discoveries. The resources you provided are helping us create a learning space that feels welcoming, organized, and ready for curiosity to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1730679027298,"projectUrl":"project/floor-workspace/8917583/","projectTitle":"Floor Workspace","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schoenfelder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9583058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720201975412","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9583058"},{"teacherId":9867808,"projectId":8995341,"letterContent":"Your contributions will be felt in this classroom for years to come. I truly appreciate each and every donor who valued this classroom and my students. We have been able to participate in new jobs around the classroom with the donated supplies. Vacuuming and laundry have been some of the favorites. We have been able to bake bread and make smoothies with the new kitchen supplies. We have been able to keep our classroom clean, tidy, and organized with your donations. Thank you so much for choosing us.","fullyFundedDate":1733958849327,"projectUrl":"project/practical-life-project/8995341/","projectTitle":"Practical Life Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Romeo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9867808_orig.jpg?crop=432,432,x1740,y1008&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746561620926","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9867808"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60038","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":392,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":16,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":77,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":8,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":86.6,"schoolId":60038,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Cowles Montessori School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Cowles Montessori School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/iowa/des-moines-public-schools/cowles-elementary-school/60038"}