Dowling Weekly Newsletter - April 24, 2026

From the Principal

Metal Water Bottles- Safety Concern

Unfortunately, metal water bottles have caused a few significant injuries on the bus in the recent past. When a metal water bottle collides with a student’s body, it can cause an injury. I am asking all families of students who ride the bus to switch from a metal water bottle to a plastic water bottle moving forward. I know this may be an inconvenience but I ask that you follow this rule so that we can keep the bus as safe as possible for our students. Thank you. 

Lost and Found

The Lost and Found is overflowing again. We will have another clear out of all items on April 30. Please come collect any lost or missing items before April 30. 

Student Placement Feedback Requested

Creating well-balanced classroom rosters for the following school year is a very thoughtful process, with many factors taken into consideration. Dowling teachers gather relevant data on every student and meet with all support staff involved, to place your student in the learning environment most suited for their success.  We are providing this optional Google form if you wish to give any input about your student that would be beneficial to this process, by completing the following form and submitting no later than Friday, May 1. Please fill out one form per student.   

5th Grade Band Concert

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for a 5th Grade Music Performance in May!

On Wednesday, May 20 2:30 p.m. 5th grade students will perform and share what they have been learning this year in Band! Plus, each class will perform one African drumming piece they will be learning over the next few weeks with guest artists Jesse and Benita Buckner. I plan to record both performances for caregivers that cannot attend daytime concerts. Please reach out if you have questions. ~Ms. Allison allison.cramer@mpls.k12.mn.us

Climate Survey

Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be taking the School Climate Student Survey in the coming weeks. This survey will help us better understand students’ experiences in school and inform changes to improve the school climate. 

Data will only be shared as a summary of student responses, and no staff members at our school will have access to individual student responses. Caregivers may request that their student not participate in the survey. For more information about the survey, including which questions will be asked and an opt-out form, visit the Equity and School Climate website.

Community Opportunities

Teddy Soccer Camps: Grades 1 and up

Common Ground Nature Camp

Calling all 4th grade students! Still looking for summer plans? Common Ground Nature Camp has only SEVEN spots remaining for rising 5th grade students. You can find a full description of the program and registration here. Registration is on a first-come, first served basis. Families will be added to the waitlist and contacted to confirm enrollment based on waitlist position. Questions can be directed to program coordinator Christine Menzenberger at christine.menzenberger@mpls.k12.mn.us. Hope to see you in camp!

Minneapolis Kids - Reminder

Registration for before and after school care for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Now open for CURRENT families
• Friday, April 24th,  at 7am for NEW families

Dowling Wishlist

Please check out the Dowling wishlist. We’d be very grateful for any donations!

Dowling PTO

PTO Elections & Meeting
5/11 | 6:30 pm | Cafeteria or virtual (cc available)
Join virtually: https://meet.google.com/tcn-ekno-cjg
Meeting agendas

Get Outdoors Event – Save the Date
Saturday 5/2/26 | 2–5 PM @ Dowling

Looking for a fun and easy way to get your kids outside, moving, and trying something new? Join us for a hands-on afternoon where kids build, explore, and take part in creating something lasting for the school.

We’re turning part of the grounds into an outdoor environmental learning space together. Come for any part of the afternoon and jump in where you can.

What to expect:

• Build and fill 10 raised garden beds for student environmental education
• Plant trees and help improve the school grounds
• Hands-on planting activities where kids can work with soil, seeds, and plants
• A scavenger hunt to explore the space and learn along the way
• Bike tune-ups (brakes, tires, basic safety checks) to get kids riding safely
• Free helmets for students who otherwise don’t have access to them
• A “learn to ride” station and space for kids to build confidence

This is a hands-on event. Many hands will make quick work of the beds, soil, and planting, and it’s a great way for kids to see adults modeling community effort.

We also still definitely need volunteers to help organize key areas (check-in, bike station, etc.). Please step up if you can.

Email go@dowlingpto.org if you can help, bring tools, or have skills to contribute.

By the end of the day, this will be a space our kids use for years.

Bike, Walk Roll to School 

May 6 is Bike, Walk, Roll to School Day and we need parents volunteers for short shifts that morning as well as everyone who wants to participate to walk, bike or roll their way to school with us! 

Learn more at https://dowlingpto.membershiptoolkit.com/events

Other May Events (all need volunteers)

• Teacher Appreciation Week | 5/4–5/8
• School Dance | 5/8, 6–7:30 pm
• Carnival | 5/28 4:30-7:00 pm

All of these events require volunteer support to run.
Email board@dowlingpto.org to help (just tell us which event you're interested in).

2026–2027 PTO Board

PTO board elections are coming up in May, and nearly all seats will be open. This is a great opportunity to get more involved, meet other families, and help shape the year ahead at Dowling.

If you’re even a little curious, we’d love to hear from you.
Email board@dowlingpto.org to express interest.

Call for Yearbook Photos!

A group of parent volunteers are hard at work creating the yearbook. If you have any candid photos to share, please upload them to potentially be included in the yearbook.

Upload yearbook photos here!

Read-a-thon Recap

Thank you again to everyone who helped make this year's Read-a-thon a success! Students read a total of 629,995 minutes and our community generously donated $30,644.99. We are so thankful to you! These donations will help the PTO fund grants for classrooms and experiences throughout the year.

A special thank you to the volunteers who counted minutes, organized the celebration, sorted T-shirts, and collected prizes from our local businesses.

Fridays “Stay to Play on the Ramps”

4:05–5:00 p.m.

Join us after school to play and catch up with friends. Many thanks to parent volunteer Katie Murray for coordinating this event again!

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!

https://givebutter.com/community2026