Dowling Newsletter - June 5

From the Principal

Dear Families, It has been a wonderful 25-26 school year. We want to sincerely thank you for choosing Dowling. Our staff has worked hard to live our vision this year of “living joyfully together on a healthy planet.” We hope your child learned a great deal and made some good friendships. 

As you start to think about summer, I would encourage you to set some routines in place for your child or children. 

• Encourage reading as much as possible. Visit the public library and model reading for your child.
• Limit Screentime and encourage outdoor play.
• Give time for your child to be “bored”. Boredom often brings great creativity.
• Encourage your child to find math in everyday situations: count, add, subtract, multiply, measure, cook with fractions. Math is everywhere.

We hope you have a safe and happy summer! 

Note From Environmental Education

I am not sure how to capture the year and I apologize for not giving updates on the amazing experiences we have had learning and being in the outdoors prior to the last news letter!  From visits to the bee hives (with Pollinate Minnesota) and adventures along the Mississippi with Friends of the Mississippi River to snow shoeing and cross country skiing, to planting and bird watching, to trips to Eagle Bluff and Wolf Ridge,  the students of Dowling have explored, learned from and cared for the natural world around them. 

In a year that challenged our school and city, the outdoor natural spaces at Dowling were a gift to our community.  That said, the real gift, was the community itself.  The incredible solidarity that was shown day in and day out made a huge impact.  In the face of fear and violence, the Dowling Community showed incredible courage and humility.  Even though I have not processed the last few months, I felt it necessary to name the power in our collective response and know that moving forward this community will continue to stand with and take care of one another.  

"Let's save pessimism for better times" Eduardo Galeano

Dowling Outdoor Spaces Summer Wish List

If you have an interest in helping with a project, please reach out to Ms. Kristen (612) 442-6981.

• More and repaired benches in the Nature Acre
• Repaired Mud Kitchen in Nature Acre
• Natural seating in the Big Woods
• Fire Pit repaired/improved in Big Woods
• Compost Bins repaired by Orchard
• Rain Barrel by new raised beds

Student Devices

Devices will not go home with students for the summer unless they are attending MPS Summer Scholars programs. If you have a charger for a Chromebook or an iPad that made its way home from school, please send those items back to school with your student. 

No-cost summer meals for kids 18 and under

Minneapolis Public Schools will provide meals and snacks at no cost to all children 18 and younger from June 15 through Aug. 28. The meals and snacks are offered through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. Kids and teens do not need to be enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools – any youth 18 and under may participate. Enjoy a meal or snack at more than 60 schools, parks, recreation centers, libraries and community sites in Minneapolis. No sign-up is needed – just show up. Food will be provided during specific times and must be eaten on site. Download the “Free Meals for Kids” app to find locations. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. More information can be found on the MPS website.

Transportation Reminder

If you have not done so already, please fill out the “Save your Seat” request form for next year.  If you need a change for your transportation, you will be asked to complete your request through the MyRide K12 app. 

If you need support or would prefer not to use the app, please contact Catherine in the main office, either by email: catherine.mcdonnell-forney@mpls.k12.mn.us or phone: (612) 668-4432.

If all else fails, please use this Transportation Request Form if you have changes for next school year, and the transportation coordinator will submit a request for you. 

Change requests must be submitted by the end of the school year, June 10, to ensure your student has busing for the first day of school.

From the Health Office 

As we approach the end of the year, we’ll be starting to make plans for the medications we have for students in the Health Office.  Our LPN, Adrienne Bisping, will be reaching out in the next two weeks via Talking Points to make a plan for sending medications home.  Some medications (inhalers, epipens) can be sent home in students’ backpacks, but all other medications will need to be picked up by a parent/guardian.  Feel free to reach out with any questions - 612-668-4416 (Roxanne) or 612-668-4415 (Adrienne).

OVERNIGHT CAMP OPPORTUNITY!  Does your child have an asthma diagnosis?  Every summer, Camp Superkids provides a truly life-changing experience for kids ages 7-16 to learn about their asthma and to feel more confident in managing it.  MANY SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE to cover the cost of the camp and some insurances will also help to pay for camp.  More information here:

https://www.ymcanorth.org/adventure/posts/camp-superkids-camp-kids-asthma

Community Education- Youth Enrichment (Afterschool)

Thank You & A New Chapter Ahead

Dear Families,

As this afterschool program year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with your children and your families. It has truly been such a rewarding experience, and I have greatly enjoyed building relationships, supporting student growth, and being part of the Dowling community this year.

Your feedback is incredibly important to us, and I encourage you to complete the end-of-year survey when you have a moment. Your insights help us continue to strengthen and improve programming. 

I also want to share that I will be transitioning into a new role within the district. I will be stepping into an Internal Partners position with Community Education, which focuses on developing and supporting high-quality youth programming and curriculum while helping reduce reliance on outside organizations. I’m excited about this next step and the opportunity to continue supporting students in a new way. If you know anyone who would enjoy teaching a specific skill in afterschool at Dowling or at another school in Minneapolis, have them reach out to me. 

My colleague, Daniela Jimenez Perez, current coordinator at Bancroft, will be joining the Dowling community next fall. Please send any questions about next year to her at Daniela.JimenezPerez@mpls.k12.mn.us

Thank you again for your trust, partnership, and support this year—it has meant so much to me.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful summer!

LINK for FEEDBACK

Warmly,
Nicole Melendez
Coordinator, Youth & Adult Programs

Community Opportunities

Teddy Soccer Summer Camp, Grades 1st - 8th

Somali Heritage Day, June 8th - Somali, English

Dowling PTO

What a Day!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Dowling Carnival such a success.

We saw hundreds of students, family members, neighbors, and friends come together for an afternoon of fun, connection, and community. From face painting, screen printing, bounce houses, giant bubbles, crafts, food, and games, the school grounds were full of activity from start to finish. Despite the warm weather, the energy was fantastic and the grounds were buzzing with activity all afternoon.

A special thank you goes to our volunteers. More than 45 volunteers helped plan, set up, serve food, run activities, paint faces, and clean up afterward. We were especially grateful for the many people who stepped forward in the final days before the event to fill open shifts.

We would also like to thank Principal Page and the Dowling staff for their support before, during, and after the event. Their partnership helped make the afternoon run smoothly and created a welcoming environment for everyone who attended.

Most importantly, thank you for helping create a memorable experience for our students and families. Events like this are only possible because of the incredible Dowling community, including our volunteers, staff, families, and community partners who came together to make the day a success.

Looking for a TV Donation

The school is looking for a television (55–65") to replace a non-functioning TV in the pool area that is used for instructional videos and student learning activities.

If you have a working TV you'd be willing to donate, or know a friend, family member, or business that may have one available, please email chair@dowlingpto.org.

Thank you for helping support our students and staff!

Celebrating Our Students — and a 5th Grade Sendoff

As the school year comes to a close, congratulations to all of our Dowling students on a wonderful year of learning, growth, friendship, and community! We are so grateful for the students, families, staff, and volunteers who make Dowling such a special place.

We especially want to celebrate our 5th grade students as they prepare to move on from Dowling. We are so glad to have had them as part of our community, and we wish them all the best in the next chapter ahead.

Dowling will hold a 5th Grade Celebration on Tuesday, June 9, from 2:15–3:30 p.m.

We need one or two 4th grade caregiver volunteers to purchase and serve lemonade and cookies at the celebration (the cost will be reimbursed by the PTO). This is a great way for 4th grade families to help support this year’s 5th graders and carry forward a tradition of celebrating our students. If you are able to help, please email chair@dowlingpto.org.

Mutual Aid Update

We have learned through this experience that there is an ongoing need within our school community for periodic support. To that end, funds will continue to support families as needs arise, whether or not tied to a specific event.

We are so grateful to everyone who has provided support and continues to support our amazing community. Thank you!

Donate here

Sign up to Request or Offer Aid Here