Dowling Newsletter - Friday, September 11, 2026

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From the Principal

It was an amazing start to the school year. I think it is safe to say that we have the best of the best in our students, families and staff! Students started the year excited to learn and so willing to listen and follow all the routines and expectations. We appreciate how our families have encouraged this development in your children in your homes. Here are a couple of awesome pictures from our first week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will have our first fire (evacuation) drill sometime next week. This year we will be conducting a mix of the following drills: Evacuation, Lockdown, Secure, Shelter which is a part of the Standard Response Protocol that Minneapolis Public Schools is now using. 

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From the Front Office

We are so happy to welcome all of our new and returning students! We thank you for your patience during this hectic first week of school! 

Starting on Monday, September 14th, all visitors needing to go past the main office will need to sign in with a photo ID. Unlike our old system, photo ID will need to be scanned for every visit. Alternative arrangements can be made if you do not have a photo ID. 

Due to the high volume of phone calls this time of year, we may be unable to answer your call. If you call the office and get our voicemail, please leave a clear message and let us know if you need a return phone call. 

New this year-Students arriving after 9:35 am are considered tardy and must be signed in at the front office. Your student will then be given a late pass, and can head to their classroom.

We would like to remind families that early pickups must be made before 3:00 pm. 

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Transportation

Thank you, everyone, for your patience with the first week of school adjustments! Updates are made to routes every Wednesday, as needed. If your student’s bus or stop is updated, you will receive an email from the transportation department, and your student's schedule will be updated in MyRide K-12. If your student has changes, they will receive a new bus tag. 

If you need to make changes to your bus assignments, please contact Catherine in the main office.

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Please Complete Your Application for Educational Benefits

Every Dowling family is encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits (AEB) each school year, regardless of whether you think your family will qualify.

These forms matter for much more than meal benefits. The percentage of Dowling students who qualify helps determine important state and federal funding for the school, including eligibility for Title I funding, which can provide additional academic support and staffing for students.

Paper forms are available in the main office or it can be filled out online by visiting https://www.schoolcafe.com/MINNEAPOLISPUBLICSCHOOLS 

Dowling's Educational Benefits rate was about 31% last year, down from 40% the previous year. Getting completed applications from every family helps make sure the school has an accurate count and does not miss out on funding for which our students may qualify.

To encourage families to get their applications completed, the PTO is sponsoring an AEB prize drawing at the end of September, with:

• One $100 gift card
• Two $50 gift cards

The income thresholds are higher than many families expect, so even if you don't think you qualify, please take a few minutes to complete the form.

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Environmental Education

We are so excited to explore the natural world with your students.   This week we explored the gardens, Big Woods, Orchard and Nature Acre.  Please know that we go outside almost every day! This means that even in rain, snow, wind, and muddy conditions, it is likely that your student will go outside.  Please send them with clothes and footwear for the outdoors.  Your student can keep extra shoes/boots and clothes (definitely socks!)  at school.  If you need any items, please reach out to Ms. Kristen kristen.melby@mpls.k12.mn.us.  On rainy days, raincoats, rain pants or rainsuits allow kids to explore with both hands (umbrellas will not be used during environmental education).  

Nature Can Improve Academic Outcomes - please read this informational flyer from Children Nature Network about some of the reasons why we feel it’s so important for our children to spend time outdoors!

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Support Dowling Staff & Spaces: Wishlist

Our dedicated Dowling teachers and staff have put together a community-wide Wishlist for extra materials, books, and supplies to enrich our spaces.  Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/14PSR0XTC8HAL?ref_=wl_share

• Shop Local: Consider sourcing requested books, art supplies, and materials from local independent businesses right here in Minneapolis.
• Drop Off: Bring purchased items to the office, labeled with Lodermeier on the box. She will get them to the correct locations.

Thank you for your continuous generosity.

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Dowling PTO

Welcome to the new school year! As families and staff of Dowling, you are already part of the PTO, a volunteer-operated organization whose mission is to build community and empower Dowling students, staff, and families—from beloved events like the Campout and Carnival to classroom grants, field trips, teacher support, and so much more!

Whether you’d like to help support staff during the school day or jump in to help the PTO,  simply fill out the volunteer form to get started: https://forms.gle/DpHEg2FnfyBDG7PRA 

September at a Glance

• Sunday, September 13, 10 am-12 pm: Orchard Clean-up
• Monday, September 14, 6:30-7:30 pm.: PTO Meeting
• Tuesday, September 15, 5-8 pm: School Board meeting (Transformation Plan) 
• Saturday, September 26, 5 pm: PTO Campout

Orchard Clean-up, Sunday, September 13, 10 am - 12 pm

Help the Forest Committee clear downed branches and logs to prepare the orchard for the new school year. All volunteers are welcome. The committee is also seeking spare rebar—if you have any to donate, please email Ken at brick040@umn.edu.

PTO Meeting, Monday, September 14, 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Please join us in the Dowling cafeteria for our first PTO meeting of the school year!

• Hear a start-of-year update from Principal Page
• Get updates on the PTO annual budget
• Preview upcoming events
• Meet the PTO board
• Find a way to get involved
• Bring your ideas and questions
   

Pizza will be provided. All Dowling families and staff are welcome. Please email board@dowlingpto.org if you need translation or other accommodations.

There is also be a virtual option for anyone who would rather join from home: https://meet.google.com/idr-dzac-mpn 

A copy of the agenda can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XPuoGBbdBtwStZfPfPzs-uVOWnEhQ8kv?usp=sharing

School Board meeting, Tuesday September 15, 5-8 pm

The MPS School Board is having a working session on Tuesday evening to learn about and discuss the district administration’s proposals for School Transformation. Watch live via the link here. Dowling’s Advocacy Committee co-chairs are also tracking developments with the School Transformation proposals and will provide information to the Dowling community as it becomes available. Email advocacy@dowlingpto.org if you’d like to receive more info or get involved.

PTO Campout: Saturday, September 26 beginning at 5 pm

Join for the evening, or camp out under the stars! This annual tradition sees over 100 families camping out together on the beautiful Dowling grounds. Saturday evening: Join for a free dinner, activities and a group hike, followed by s’mores. Head home, or bring your tent and sleeping bags and spend the night! The Campout is a fun, relaxed way for kids and grown-ups to spend time together, meet other families, and experience Dowling's beautiful campus in a whole different way.

If your family is new to camping, this is also a pretty great place to start: close to home, surrounded by familiar faces, and right in our own backyard. We have tents, sleeping bags, and other camping gear to loan out.

2025–26 Yearbooks Are in the Main Office

Still need last year's Dowling yearbook? 2025–26 yearbooks are available for pickup in the main office.

School Forest Committee

Dowling School Forest Committee is a group of volunteers who've taken on maintaining and improving our 22 acre outdoor classroom.  It is a big job and we welcome new helpers.  Email us to express interest at:  dowlingsfc@gmail.com.  

If you'd like an upper body workout this Sunday Sept 13th, we are hauling limbs and brush for chipping from this summer's tree takedown.  Meet us in back at the school orchard 10am.  

Also - save the date: Replanting and other work is planned for October 10th!

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Community Opportunities

Southside Minneapolis Bulldogs: 2026-27 Seasonal Travel Basketball Tryouts