May 1, 2026

Dear Families,

We are excited to share some incredible news with our Dowagiac Middle School families!

Thanks to the generosity of Michael Rowland, President of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, in partnership with Shannon Lyons and the Lyons Reading Fund, every single Dowagiac Middle School student has been given the opportunity to select a book of their choice for summer reading—at no cost to families.

This thoughtful gift goes far beyond providing books. It empowers our students to discover the joy of reading, explore their individual interests, and continue growing as learners over the summer months. By allowing students to choose their own books, this initiative fosters ownership, excitement, and a genuine love for reading.

We know that access to books can make a lasting difference in a child’s academic success, and this generous contribution helps ensure that all of our students are set up for a strong start when they return in the fall.

On behalf of our students, staff, and families, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Rowland, Ms. Lyons, and the Lyons Reading Fund for their commitment to literacy and to the students of Dowagiac Middle School.

We encourage families to celebrate this opportunity with your child—ask them about the book they chose and consider setting aside time this summer to read together or discuss what they’re learning.

Thank you for your continued support in making Dowagiac Middle School a place where students thrive.

Have a wonderful summer and happy reading!

Sincerely,

Greg Guernsey, Principal

Dates: June 8th – June 12th
Time: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Who: Current 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students

Sign-ups are currently open for in county students- Out of county sign-ups start tomorrow. 

Sign-up link: https://site.corsizio.com/portal/68025784d8af7e28a73975c7

Career Camp is designed to give middle school students hands-on exposure to a variety of career pathways while building awareness of the programs available at Van Buren Tech.

Transportation will be provided from Van Buren County local school districts, helping ensure access for students across the county. (Out-of-county students can take advantage of transportation, they just need to go to the closest Van Buren County school).

Mrs. Andrea Cline - Art

Art students from Art 1, Art 2, and Digital Design participated in the Community Student Art Exhibition at Box Factory in Saint Joseph, MI. I am proud of my students for their hard work and representing DMS very well. The art exhibition is open from April 16- May 3, so there is still time to go view our student artworks. 

6th Grade Social Studies - Mrs. Stanford

Students have been exploring the age of Classical Antiquity by studying the history of ancient Greece, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. Students began the week by previewing Europe's history through connecting eras, detecting latin root words, breaking down the feudal pyramid, and more. Students were introduced to the ancient Greek eras of Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods. We identified key characteristics that made each era unique. Students were taught about the big three philosophers of ancient Greece - Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Students then began thinking like philosophers themselves by reading significant quotes, thinking, and reflecting on their meaning as well as analyzing their own life as kids. We finished the week discussing the massive empire that was once Rome, spreading across the Mediterranean. To better understand life in ancient Rome students were "hired" as journalists (paid in knowledge) and will be addressing breaking news, culture, lifestyle, daily weather, and much more!

Note: Students will be taking their European Map Quiz on Friday May 15th