Greetings Dowagiac Middle School Families,
We’re off to a GREAT start! Students have settled into their classes and have begun working hard meeting teacher behavior and academic expectations. Each year we take one or more of our building HEROES (H=Helpful, E=Engaged, R=Respect, O=Ownership, E=Empathy, S=Safe) expectations and make it a primary focus. This year it is RESPECT and EMPATHY towards others while developing a good work ethic!
Last week, students worked together in teams to review over our HEROES expectations. They collaborated and brainstormed how they can meet each of these expectations in the classroom as well as our other group environments(e.g. hallways, media center, cafeteria, etc.). After this activity, our Counseling Department looked over our student responses for common language between grade levels which helped us to create our 2024-25 DMS HEROES PBIS Matrix. Teachers will be using this to recognize students' positive behaviors in the classroom/building by providing HEROES tickets to them which can be used to purchase items in our School Store (e.g. get in line 1st at lunch, earn extra credit tickets, t-shirts, binders, pencils, etc.). This has helped us to emphasize/reinforce the positive behaviors we want from our students while giving them a say in the process.
Additionally, our students have been participating in many of our after school programs which are in full swing! Our Football, Volleyball, Soccer & Cheer Teams are showing their school spirit! We are proud of the hard work they are putting in at practices and look forward to seeing how it’s going to pay off in the weeks to come as they begin competitions!
Great things are always happening at DMS!
ONWARD CHIEFTAINS!
Dr. Sean Wightman
Principal
Dowagiac Middle School
