Dowagiac Middle School

Dowagiac Middle School Weekly News

November 5, 2024

A Message from the Principal

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6th Grade

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7th Grade

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8th Grade

Greetings DMS Families,

On Thursday, October 31st, students were allowed to wear their Halloween costumes to school with some guidelines (No gory makeup, school appropriate costumes that follow district Dress Code policies, and no prop weapons).

Our DMS/ETS Esports Team continues their winning ways by beating the #1 middle school team in the East Region. They will finish up the season next week, Thursday, November 14th before they head into the playoffs!

We ended our week by having our 2nd Activities Night which was a Post Halloween Costume Bash. Students had another day to wear their costumes at this event where they had a great time playing sports in our gym (e.g. frisbee, volleyball, basketball, soccer, touch football, etc.) and music. It was a GREAT way to help burn off those extra candy calories!

We want to let all families know if your child was not present for Picture Day, your son or daughter can get their photo retaken on Wednesday, November 6th. Just contact our Main office and request a picture form (269) 782-4440. This is also available to any family who would like to have their child's Fall photo retaken as well.

We are looking forward to our 7th and 8th grade Boys Basketball and Sideline Cheer Season as they open up with away games at Benton Harbor Fair Plains Middle School (Wednesday, November 6th) and St. Joseph Upton Middle School (Thursday, November 7th).

Great things are always happening at DMS!

Dr. Sean Wightman

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DMS/ETS Esports Team

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Wednesday, November 6th

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Good Luck DMS CHIEFTAINS!!!

Staff Weekly Updates

Here is what students have been doing in their classrooms over the week of 10/28-11/1

Mrs. Deering

6th-grade ELA students spent the week learning about complex sentences. In one activity, they wrote simple sentences independently and then worked together to create complex sentences using what they had written.

Mrs. Deering ELA
Mrs. Deering ELA
Mrs. Deering ELA
Mrs. Deering ELA

Mrs. Wilson

In Mrs. Wilson's 8th grade ELA classes, students delved into Edgar Allan Poe's classic short story "The Tell Tale Heart". Through their exploration of the narrative, they engaged in discussions on the horror fiction genre, discussed characterization with concepts like round and flat characters, and unraveled the layers of symbolism and figurative language embedded in the text. To enhance their understanding, the students were exposed to four distinct media adaptations of the story, each offering a unique interpretation. The end of their study was a lively class discussion where they shared their insights, interpretations, and reflections on the haunting tale, showcasing their literary comprehension.

Mrs. Wilson ELA
Mrs. Frontczak PE

Mrs. Frontczak

This week in 5th hour P.E. and Healthy Living, our students explored the Elk's trail! They planted wildflowers and learned about local wildlife.

Mrs. Frontczak PE

Mrs. Leighton

Students in Life Skills made Rice Krispie Treats and practiced all the skills they learned in the classroom. Hocus Pocus Buns are on the menu for next week. 

Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills
Mrs. Leighton - Life Skills

Mrs. Cline

Art 2 has been busy this week bringing their masks to life and painting their OP Art paintings. 

Mrs. Cline - Plaster Mask
Mrs. Cline - Plaster Mask
Mrs. Cline - Optical Art

Mrs. Marrs

7th-Grade Healthy Living

This week in our physical education unit, students learned about Flag Football. We used players from our undefeated Dowagiac Middle School football team to help educate and coach the teams. The football players taught students how to properly throw and catch a football, how to snap the ball, offensive/defensive positions, and various running and passing plays. At the end of the unit, teams played against each other using the skills and knowledge from the week.

Mrs. Marrs - Healthy Living
Mrs. Marrs - Healthy Living
Mrs. Marrs - Healthy Living
27th Annual Arts and Craft Show!

Upcoming Community Event at DMS!

27th Annual Arts and Craft Show

Meet and Greet with the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who!

Events

November 6 - 7th/8th Boys Basketball Game - AWAY vs. Fair Plain Renaissance 4pm

November 7 - 7th/8th Boys Basketball Game - AWAY vs. Upton Middle School 4pm

November 13 - 7th/8th Boys Basketball Game - HOME vs. Berrien Springs 4pm

November 16 - 27th Annual Arts and Crafts Show 9am - 3pm

November 18- Board Meeting 6pm-7pm @PAC

Reminders

ATTENTION BUS RIDERS: rider families to make sure they are at bus stop pickups and ready to hop on the bus 5-10 early each day so that they drivers and routes can stay on schedule!!!

If you would like to recognize a DMS staff member for a special "Chieftains Shout Out", please use the following link to do so: Staff Shout Out Link

staff

After School Tutoring Opportunities

For students who need extra help we offer after school tutoring opportunities. Each session runs from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., no appointment necessary.

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

Tutoring Schedule:

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: ELA

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: Math

Monday & Wednesday: Social Studies

Building Information

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Principal:

Dr. Sean Wightman

swightman@dowagaicschools.org

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Assistant Principal:

Courtney Harjung

charjung@dowagiacschools.org

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Secretary:

Tammi Spivey

tspivey@dowagiacschools.org

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Guidance Secretary:

Jennifer O'Brien

jobrien@dowagiacschools.org

Drop Off Time: 7:25 a.m.

Breakfast: 7:25 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

Social Media

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/

Daily Bell Schedule

6th Grade

7:25-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

7:25-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

7:25-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

GO CHIEFTAINS!