February 20, 2026

Dear Families,

I am writing to inform you that Ms. Bulifant, 7th grade math teacher, has decided to step away from teaching with us and has submitted her resignation from Dowagiac Middle School effective immediately. 

We appreciate the contributions Ms. Bulifant has made for our students and thank her for her service. 

Our priority is to ensure a smooth transition and continued support for students. We are working to secure a qualified permanent replacement and will keep you updated as that process moves forward. Students’ routines, expectations, and learning goals will remain consistent during this transition.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the main office.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Greg Guernsey, Principal

Dowagiac Union Schools would love to hear your thoughts about our Title 1 programs. We would appreciate your feedback!

Students in Mrs. Leighton's ELA class have been working on their personal narratives in Google Classroom. Students focused on 5 paragraphs: a catchy lead, a beginning, a middle, an end, and a strong conclusion with a reflection on the lessons learned. They also focused on strong verbs, adjectives, transitions, dialogue, figurative language, and imagery. 

Mr. Tidey - Resource

Students are doing their best to use the organization skills they learned earlier in the year to stay on track. I plan on implementing a new free time activity as we look forward to warmer weather. I want to get my students out from behind the screens to enjoy some fresh air. As time allows I will be getting my students outside to relax. Work will still be our number one priority and outside time will be dependent on classroom behavior and missing assignment completion.

Mrs. Cline - 

Art 1 students are learning 2-point perspective drawing techniques. They are creating cityscape drawings. We are about to begin the larger practice drawing. This allows students to be more comfortable upscaling their drawings.

Art 2 students are currently researching randomly assigned Art Movements. They are using the information they gather to create a slideshow presentation to show to the class. This is a great way for the class to learn about various areas of Art History because it spans from Prehistoric Art to present day.

I am super excited that so many students have shown an interest in wanting to learn how to throw on the clay wheel! Art students can sign up to stay after school for this activity as long as they have a ride home after. As of now, the clay wheel is booked out for the next 2 weeks and the list is steadily growing.

Mr. Webb's Career Exploration class wrapped up their time thinking about construction careers by building towers out of notecards. Students worked in teams, working with glue and then working with tape on a different tower. The children got a feel for the limitations of different building styles, and also experienced how a team can make or break a construction project. As far as who made the tallest tower, first hour sixth graders stole the show with a tower 52 inches tall---that's over four feet! 

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

Social Studies: Miss Gabrielle Cook; Wed & Thur

February 21 - Band Spaghetti Dinner

February 23 - DMS PT Conferences ~ 4:30-7:30PM

February 25 - Half Day -- Dismiss @ 10:47AM

February 25 - DMS PT Conferences ~ 12-3PM

February 25 - DMS Wrestling Meeting - AWAY @ Vicksburg ~ TBD

March 6 - End of 3rd Marking Period

March 8 - Daylight Saving Time (Spring Ahead)

March 13 - Spring Musical - Frozen Jr. (PAC) ~ 7PM

March 14 - Spring Musical - Frozen Jr. (PAC) ~ 7PM

March 15 - Spring Musical - Frozen Jr. (PAC) ~ 2PM

March 16 - School Board Meeting (PAC) ~ 6PM

Principal

Greg Guernsey

gguernsey@dowagiacschools.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