March 20, 2026

 

Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve

Last week, our 8th grade students had the opportunity to visit Van Buren Tech in Lawrence, Michigan. Van Buren Tech is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) center affiliated with the Van Buren Intermediate School District. During their visit, students toured the facility and explored 25 different CTE programs. They were able to see hands-on learning environments in areas such as Agriculture & Natural Resources, Auto Technician, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, EMT, Patient Care, Sports Medicine, and many more. This experience provided students with valuable exposure to potential career pathways and helped them begin thinking about future educational and professional opportunities.

....and Mr. Turner could not resist joining in on the fun! We sure hope he keeps his day job!!!

 
 
 

Message from the Nurse 

We have had many students that are out of school for various illnesses and I wanted to remind parents about our illness policy which states that children should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of any fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Motrin.  I also want to remind parents that it is important for you to contact the school to notify us that your child is ill.  The school is required by the public health law to report illness numbers to the local health department each week and the information we report is gathered from what parents report to the school.  It is very helpful for our report if you can provide us with a basic idea of what type of illness your child is experiencing.  Also if your child is seen at a physician office please bring in a written excuse from their office to document their illness.  

Just a reminder, any medication that must be administered at school must have a completed medication authorization form completed by a physician.  Medication must be brought to school by a parent/guardian with the authorization form completed. This form can be obtained in the office along with the Dowagiac Union School Medication Policy. 

Also reminding you as we are still in the cold months,  your children will be wearing coats and hats so with those we find the number of students with head lice to be increasing.  Please remember to check your child’s hair frequently during these times.  If you notice any signs of head lice please begin the treatment process immediately.  This process is very time consuming, but in order to keep the head lice from returning the entire process must be completed.  If you would like information about the treatment of head lice please feel free to contact me at 269-782-4420 ext. 1218 or sdorman@dowagiacschools.org with any questions or concerns.

Suzanne Dorman RN, MSN

School Nurse

Dowagiac Union Schools

 

Classroom Instruction

 

Mrs. Marrs - Healthy Living

7th-Grade Healthy Living

It’s been an action-packed week in Healthy Living! Our 7th graders have been participating in the highly anticipated Basketball Unit.

Beyond just putting the ball in the hoop, this unit is designed to sharpen teamwork, cardiovascular endurance, and those all-important motor skills. Students have been working on understanding the basic rules of basketball, dribbling and passing skills, as well as shooting free throws, 3-point shots, and jump shots.

 

 

Mrs. Leighton's ELA 

Students in ELA class played Scrabble while the school was without internet on Monday. Students had fun taking a break from the computers. 

 
 

After School Tutoring

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

Science: TBD

Math: TBD

Schedule of DMS Events

March 20 - DMS Activities Night ~ 2:30-4:00PM

March 27 - No School

March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break

April 6 - Classes Resume

April 20 - Board Meeting (PAC) ~ 6PM

May 7 - DUS Fine Arts Night ~ 7PM

May 12 - DUHS/DMS Spring Band Concert ~ 7PM

May 14 - DUHS/DMS Spring Choir Concert ~ 7PM

May 18 - Board Meeting (PAC) ~ 6PM

May 20 - DMS Awards Night (PAC) ~ 5:30-7:30PM

May 22 - DMS Farewell Dance (7th and 8th Grade) ~ 6:00-8:00PM

May 25 - No School (Memorial Day)

 

 
 

Community Events

Building Information

Principal

Greg Guernsey

gguernsey@dowagiacschools.org

Assistant Principal

Courtney Harjung

charjung@dowagiacschools.org

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Building Secretary

Tammi Spivey

tspivey@dowagiacschools.org

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Guidance Secretary

Jennifer O'Brien

jobrien@dowagiacschools.org

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Student Services Secretary

Tammy Crawford

tcrawford@dowagiacschools.org

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Guidance Counselor

Chonda Rimpson

crimpson@dowagiacschools.org

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Student Advocate

Brittany Brooks

bbrooks@dowagiacschools.org

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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

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

7:15-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

GO CHIEFTAINS!