January 30, 2026

Congratulations to Josie Spivey for taking first place! 

Mrs. Marrs’ 7th-grade Healthy Living students have been learning about the female reproductive system as part of their health curriculum. One of the key learning standards focuses on identifying the names and locations of the organs. To make this content engaging and interactive, Mrs. Marrs uses the online platform WordWall, which allows students to practice labeling the organs while being timed, turning learning into a friendly competition as students aim for the leaderboard.

During a classroom observation, Mr. Guernsey added to the excitement by making a friendly wager with the class: the student who correctly labeled all organs in the fastest time would win $10. The challenge was taken very seriously! The winning time was an impressive 26.2 seconds, with all 14 organs labeled correctly.

7th Grade Math with Miss Bee 

This week we have reviewed solving one step equations by doing inverse operations to both sides to find the solution. Next week, we turn up the heat - solving Multi-Step Equations. With all these snow days I have also assigned lessons in iReady for homework - please make sure your scholars are completing this homework piece to help fight learning loss and correct misconceptions about solving equations - this saves class instruction time and provides learning at home.

 Join the Spelling Bee Team! 
Do you love words? Enjoy a good challenge? Want to show off your spelling superpowers?

Then come join our Spelling Bee Team!

We’ll practice together, learn new vocabulary, and get ready for the school-wide competition. This is a great chance to build confidence, have fun, and challenge yourself alongside friends.

All students are welcome—no experience needed!
If you’re interested, talk to Ms. Spivey or Ms. Gil!  Sign up in the main office or at lunch.

Let’s spell our way to success! 

                       Spelling Bee practice is on Mondays and Thursdays 2:30-4:00PM

DMS offers after school tutoring sessions for any DMS student that needs/wants extra support. Each session runs from 2:30 - 3:30 PM.

Transportation will not be provided for those staying. Students will need to be picked up or given permission to walk home at the end of each session. Pick-up will be in the front of the school building.

Tutoring Schedule:

ELA: Miss Gil de Lamadrid; Mon & Thur

Math: Miss Bulifant; Only Thursdays

Social Studies: Miss Gabrielle Cook; Wed & Thur

Science: TBA

January 26 - 7th/8th Girls Basketball Game AWAY @ Brandywine Middle School ~ 4PM

January 28 - 7th/8th Girls Basketball Game HOME vs. Lakeshore Middle School ~ 4PM

January 30 - DMS Activities Night ~ 2:30-4:00PM

February 2 - 7th/8th Girls Basketball Game AWAY @ Berrien Springs Middle School ~ 4PM

February 3 - DMS Wrestling Meet - AWAY @ Buchanan High School ~ 5PM

February 4 - 7th/8th Girls Basketball Game HOME vs. Buchanan Middle School ~ 4PM

February 6 - DMS Wrestling Meet - HOME @ Dowagiac High School ~ 4PM

February 11 - Spring Count Day

February 11 - 7th/8th Girls Basketball Game HOME vs. Berrien Springs Middle School ~ 4PM

February 12 - 7th/8th Girls Basketball Game HOME vs. Brandywine Middle School ~ 4PM

February 16 - Regular School Board Meeting (PAC) ~ 6PM

Principal

Greg Guernsey

gguernsey@dowagaicschools.org

Assistant Principal

Courtney Harjung

charjung@dowagiacschools.org

Building Secretary

Tammi Spivey

tspivey@dowagiacschools.org

Guidance Secretary

Jennifer O'Brien

jobrien@dowagiacschools.org

Student Services Secretary

Tammy Crawford

tcrawford@dowagiacschools.org

Guidance Counselor

Chonda Rimpson

crimpson@dowagiacschools.org

Student Advocate

Brittany Brooks

bbrooks@dowagiacschools.org

Social Worker

Katelyn Sellers

ksellers@dowagiacschools.org

Drop Off Time: 7:15 a.m.

Breakfast: 7:15 a.m.-7:35 a.m.

Building Times: 7:37 a.m.-2:23 p.m.

Half Day Dismissal: 10:47 a.m.

Building Office Phone: 269-782-4440

Dowagiac Middle School Website:

https://www.dowagiacschools.org/o/dms

Dowagiac Middle School Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DowagiacMiddle/

Lunch Menu:

https://dowagiacschools.nutrislice.com/menu

District Website:

https://www.dowagiacschools.org/

District Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/dowagiacschools/

6th Grade

7:15-Student Drop Off/Breakfast

7:37-8:29 1st Period

8:33-9:23-2nd Period

9:27-10:17-3rd Period

10:17-10:47-Lunch A

10:51-11:41-4th Period

11:45-12:35-5th Period

12:39-1:29-6th Period

1:33-2:23-7th Period

2:23-Dismissal

7th Grade

7:15-Student Drop Off/Breakfast

7:37-8:29 1st Period

8:33-9:23-2nd Period

9:27-10:17-3rd Period

10:21-11:11-4th Period

11:11-11:41-Lunch B

11:45-12:35-5th Period

12:39-1:29-6th Period

1:33-2:23-7th Period

2:23-Dismissal

8th Grade

7:15-Student Drop Off/Breakfast

7:37-8:29 1st Period

8:33-9:23-2nd Period

9:27-10:17-3rd Period

10:21-11:11-4th Period

11:15-12:05-5th Period

12:05-12:35-Lunch C

12:39-1:29-6th Period

1:33-2:23-7th Period

2:23-Dismissal