Dowling Newsletter - September 18, 2026

Sep 18 2026

Reminder: There is no school on Monday, September 21, in observance of Yom Kippur.

From the District

MPS is reimagining the student experience to ensure every student has consistent and reliable access to strong academics, social emotional supports, and enrichment opportunities. A plan was presented to the School Board for consideration, which included some school mergers and boundary changes.

The purpose of these proposals was to focus on creating greater consistency across schools so families can count on reliable staffing, programming, and course offerings year after year. We encourage all families to review the proposed options and complete the community survey.

Your feedback will help shape the future of MPS. Learn more and take the survey.

From the Principal

School Transformation

Information from the Sept. 22 school board meeting informed our community that Dowling will remain a community school. However, I would encourage families to understand that there are boundary changes to options 2 and 3 that could affect your family based on your address. I would encourage you to review the Transformation website and review the Pathway Information. Please give your feedback by taking the survey linked above.

Site Council

Dowling’s first Site Council meeting for the year will happen on Friday, Sept. 25 from 8:20-9:00 in the Dowling AUDITORIUM.. Site Council is a great place to learn about what is happening in the school related to academic goals and how we meet the needs of our students. Interpreters can be requested and we will do our best to meet the language needs of our families. Students are welcome to do a quiet activity in the Auditorium while the meeting takes place. We would also like to welcome our families from diverse backgrounds to ensure that the demographics of our students are represented at Site Council. We hope to see you there!

From the Front Office

A few reminders about changes this year:

Bring your ID every time you need to go past the main office! Big thank you to everyone for your patience while we get used to our new system!

We kindly ask for no early pickups after 3:00 unless it's an emergency!

Picture day - October 2, 2026

View the picture day flier for more information! Retake day will be on November 6th.

Please Complete Your Application for Educational Benefits

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

We encourage every family to complete their Application for Educational Benefits form!

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.

From the Dowling Library Media Center

Book Checkout

Book checkout has begun! Students are responsible for handling library books with care, since they are for everyone to share. Please keep books away from pets, food, and all liquids. Any book damage should be reported to the library as soon as possible so we can attempt repairs. Library books may be kept for one week, and renewed one time.

Book Checkout Limits

K—1st grade 1* book at a time

Please help your student(s) to return their media books so that others can check them out. They are learning a new routine and can use guidance.

*Students will be able to check out more when they demonstrate the ability to return books each week

2nd—5th grade Up to 5 books per week can be checked out

If a book is lost, a replacement book or payment toward a replacement will be requested to maintain our collection. If this is a hardship, alternative arrangements can be made, such as reading down a fine. If your family plans to move from Dowling School, please return all books before moving. Please contact me with specific questions or concerns about your child. I look forward to helping your child find joy in reading!

Author Visit

Writer Julia Abe is coming for an author visit! Students in 3rd-5th grade will have the opportunity to hear about her books and her writing process on Friday, October 9th. Dowling families can order signed copies here, or through the attached flyer.

Ms. Mangal

Melina.mangal@mpls.k12.mn.us

Afterschool Program Update

Hello, Dowling Families!

My name is Dani Jimenez, and I am the Community Education Youth & Adult Programs Coordinator at Dowling Elementary. I am excited to support our students and families through engaging afterschool opportunities that help children learn, grow, and connect with their peers in a fun and safe environment.

A friendly reminder that registration for Dowling Afterschool Programs is now open and will remain open through September 22, 2026. We encourage families to register as soon as possible to secure a spot in the programs that interest their child.

Registration link: https://minneapolis.arux.app/courses/category/76/after-school-youth-classes

I look forward to a wonderful year of learning and enrichment with our Dowling community!

Save the Date! We are also excited to host our first Parent Night Out on Friday, October 9. https://minneapolis.arux.app/course/67598/youth-family-fall-2026/tgif-parent-s-night-out-family-programs-dowling

Daniela Jimenez / daniela.jimenezperez@mpls.k12.mn.us

Community Education Youth & Adult Programs Coordinator

Dowling Elementary School

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.

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 will 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!

Community Opportunities

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board - Family Kayaking Day at Cedar Lake. Saturday, Sept 26th 11AM-3PM

Girl Scouts - 2nd Grade opportunity

Try Hockey For Free sessions provide free ice time for kids aged 4-9 to try out the

sport. Bring skates, stick, gloves and helmet. Hockey equipment is also available

to borrow.

Girls only (ages 5-9): September 20, 5 PM- 6 PM

All youth (ages 5-9): September 27th, 2PM - 3PM Register for Sept. 27: https://tryhockeyforfree.com/event_detail/4829

All youth (ages 5-9): October 3, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

All sessions held at Parade Ice Garden 600 Kenwood Parkway, Minneapolis, MN - 55403

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Dowling Newsletter - September 18, 2026