Dowagiac Middle School

Dowagiac Middle School Weekly News

September 5, 2025

Dowagiac Union Schools

Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve

DMS Families,

Students seem to be settling in and adjusting to the new school year. We are fortunate to have such great group of students! Listed below are a few things to share and your needed cooperation to help keep our students safe.

  • If you are dropping your child off at school in the morning please pull up to the sign marked, "Please Pull Up To Here" before allowing your child to exit the vehicle. In addition, all families should use this line to prevent students from crossing the drop-off line which creates an unsafe condition.

  • FYI-Student Chromebook distribution began this week (Wed, Sept. 3 through Friday, Sept. 5).  Technology User Agreement Forms were sent home last week to assist with this process and must be signed and returned to the school prior to a device being issued to your son or daughter.  Additionally, as in past years, there will be a $20 non refundable Insurance Fee (cash or check made payable to Dowagiac Union Schools) that will also need to be paid at the time of pickup.

  • Mark your calendars-Picture Day at DMS will take place on Thursday, September 25th.  Order Forms will be sent home with students soon.  Please be on the lookout for them. 

Thank you for you support!

Greg Guernsey, Principal

Schedule of Events

September 3 - 5 - Student Chromebook Distribution

September 3 - 7th/8th Football Scrimmage (AWAY) @ Buchanan Middle School ~ 4PM

September 10 - 7th/8th Football Game (AWAY) @ Berrien Springs HS ~ 4:30PM

September 10 - 7th/8th Volleyball Game (HOME) vs. Buchanan Middle School ~ 4PM

September 25 - Picture Day

Classroom Fun!

Mrs. Kruger - Science

Students in Mrs. Kruger's 6th grade Earth Science class used the steps of the Scientific Method to design an experiment. They played 20 rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors, recorded and graphed their opponents' choices and  discovered the best Rock, Paper, Scissors strategy to win the most games!

Mrs. Kruger - Science

Mrs. Leighton's ELA class played the Impossible Pyramid game while working on teamwork skills.

Mrs. Leighton - ELA
Mrs. Leighton - ELA
Mrs. Leighton - ELA
Mrs. Leighton - ELA
Mrs. Leighton - ELA
Mrs. Leighton - ELA
Mrs. Stanford - Social Studies

Stanford Summary

In 6th-grade social studies, we're building a foundation in geography, focusing on physical features of the Earth, how to locate, and describe them. This includes learning about the cardinal and intermediate directions to navigate the world on a global scale or even down to our small town of Dowagiac. We're also exploring the different landforms, waterways, and biomes all across the globe. Studying geography is important because it helps us understand the physical diversity of our world - both near and far from us - which allows us to discover and learn more about other places beyond our immediate surroundings. By learning about these topics, students will develop a sense of global awareness which is essential for understanding different cultures, environments, and how human societies have interacted with one another and their natural environment. Students are becoming familiar with the "where" of the world, so eventually they can understand the "why" of history.

7th Grade Math with Miss Bee

This week we have hit the ground running with our first Module: Proportional Relationships. Your scholars have been solving unit rate problems, ratios, and finding constants of proportionality through real world situations. NEXT WEEK - instead of NWEA math testing we are implementing i-Ready to assess your scholars academic math level. Please make sure your scholar(s) have fully charged chromebooks and well rested minds. Monday and Tuesday next week they will take their i-Ready math diagnostic! Have an awesome weekend! 

Miss Bulifant - Math
Miss Cook - Social Studies

Miss Gabrielle Cook

World History

This week, our historians explored the fascinating story of early humans. We studied the five hominids and how they evolved over time, then investigated cave paintings—asking big questions like: Why were they created? What meanings might they hold? Students thought like true historians as they pieced together these ancient mysteries. To connect to this topic, students began designing their own cave paintings to tell stories and express ideas, just like early humans once did.

Kinesiology

In kinesiology, students were introduced to the big question: What is kinesiology? Together, we uncovered that it’s much more than just one word—it represents a wide range of fields and careers connected to movement, health, and sports science. Students are beginning to see how kinesiology links to real-world jobs and opportunities in wellness and athletics.

Miss Cook - Kinesiology
Mrs. Wilson - ELA

In 8th-grade ELA with Mrs. Wilson, students are diving into the world of narrative short stories! This week, they explored literary devices like flashbacks and foreshadowing, while also sharpening their understanding of figurative language. By mastering these tools, students will be able to craft more compelling and engaging stories that captivate readers from start to finish and are learning how these elements help authors bring their stories to life.

7th Grade Life Science Update
This week in 7th grade Life Science, students began exploring the fascinating world of plant and animal cells. They are learning about the structures and functions that make up cells, while also stepping back in time to discover the scientists who first observed cells under a microscope. Our journey started in 1665 with Robert Hooke’s groundbreaking discovery, giving students a deeper understanding of how scientific exploration has shaped what we know about cells today.

6th Grade STEAM Class Update
This week in 6th grade STEAM, students have been working on building VEX IQ robots by following official designs from the VEX IQ website. Once the robots are complete, the class plans to hold a mock trial competition, giving students a small preview of what real robotics competitions are like. This activity allows students to practice following technical instructions, working collaboratively, and gaining hands-on experience with robotics in a fun and engaging way.  

Miss S. Cook - STEM
Miss S. Cook - Science

Seventh-grade students in Mrs. Deering's class spent the first couple of weeks focusing on making connections and the importance of teamwork. 

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

Mandatory Notices

Required School Postings: https://www.dowagiacschools.org/page/mandatory-notices

Reminders

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When we have home football games $1 student tickets will be sold at school on game day!

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Please download the bus app if you are wanting to access your child's bus schedule. If you are needing further assistance from transportation, please do not hesitate to call them at 269-782-4482.

After School Tutoring

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 is needed.

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:

ELA: TBA

Math: TBA

Social Studies: TBA

Science: TBA

Building Information

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Principal:

Greg Guernsey

gguernsey@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

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Student Services Secretary:

Tammy Crawford

tcrawford@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!