Dowagiac Middle School

Dowagiac Middle School Weekly News

October 28, 2024

A Message from the Principal

"Why Open Communication Between School and Home Matters for Your Child’s Success."

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Greetings DMS Families,

For students to thrive, research consistently points to a critical factor: strong partnerships between families and schools. Open, ongoing communication between parents and teachers directly benefits students, supporting both their academic performance and social-emotional growth. Studies show that students whose families are actively involved in their education tend to have higher attendance rates, earn better grades, and show increased motivation and engagement in school.

Collaborative communication keeps parents informed of classroom expectations and academic progress, helping them support learning goals from home. It also fosters a sense of continuity and consistency for students, reinforcing that both school and home are united in their educational journey. Parents who communicate openly with teachers can better understand and address challenges their children might face, allowing teachers to adapt to individual needs and help students flourish.

A positive home-school connection also strengthens students' social-emotional well-being. When parents and teachers collaborate, students are more likely to feel secure, supported, and understood, both inside and outside the classroom. To make the most of this partnership, parents are encouraged to attend parent-teacher meetings, maintain open channels of communication, and participate in school events. Together, we can help students feel confident and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Educationally yours,

Dr. Sean Wightman

Important Info & Last Week's Roundup :

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1st Card Marking Period

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6th-8th grade

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Honor Roll Breakfast

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Nice Job Chieftains!

Hello DMS Families,

Below are some things we are very proud of as well as some information of some upcoming events:

Our 1st Card Marking Period is officially in the books. FYI-We will not be sending home hard copies of your child's report card. Report cards can be accessed via PowerSchool. Please take a few minutes to review your child's progress to date. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your child's teachers.

We want to congratulate 259 DMS Honor Roll Students for earning a B or better in all of their classes. Over 65% of our students earned this recognition. We also rewarded all of our DMS Chieftain Honors Students with a special Honors Breakfast that took place on Friday, October 25th.

Last week staff recognized students who were being HELPFUL towards others in the classroom and hallways. Students provided written responses of how they helped others over the course of the week. Several responses were selected and shared with students during lunch. Those students whose responses were read, earned a couple H.E.R.O.E.S. prizes(e.g. Cafeteria Cookie & 10 pt. Extra Credit Slip).

Tryouts for our 7th & 8th grade Boys Basketball Teams occurred last week and our teams are set to compete against other local schools. We are looking forward to a GREAT season!

Signups for students interested in participating in Winter Sports Sideline Cheer has occurred. An informational meeting & practice for those wanting to take part will occur on Wednesday, October 30 from 4:30-6:00 pm at Justus Gage Elementary.

Students will be able to wear their Halloween costumes on Thursday, October 31st with the following stipulations: 1. No masks or gory makeup 2. Costumes follow school dress code policies 3. No prop weapons

Finally, we will be having a Post Halloween Activities Night Bash this week on Friday, November 1st from 4:00-6:00 pm. The cost to attend is $5. FYI-Students may wear their Halloween costume abiding by the above stated rules.

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Staff Weekly Updates

Here is what students have been doing in their classrooms over the week of 10/21-10/25

27th Annual Arts and Craft Show!

Upcoming Community Event at DMS!

27th Annual Arts and Craft Show

Meet and Greet with the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who!

Mrs. Winters

Computers / Social Studies

Students in Mrs. Winters’s 6th grade Social Studies classes played True, False, Fix to help them review the physical geography features of the United States.

Winters's 6th Grade Social Studies
Winters's 6th Grade Social Studies
Mrs. Wilson - Narrative essay
Mrs. Wilson - Narrative essay

Mrs. Wilson

ELA

This week, 8th graders in Mrs. Wilson's ELA classes began on an exciting writing journey as they started crafting their first essay. The assignment is to write a narrative about their personal hero. What makes it even more thrilling is the opportunity for their essays to be entered into the statewide America and Me contest sponsored by State Farm Insurance. This contest not only gives students a chance to showcase their writing skills but also provides a platform to honor and celebrate the heroes who have made a profound impact on their lives.

Mrs. Wightman

Science / STEM

7th grade Life Science

This week we are completing Unit 1 Lesson 2 which was about identifying cell structures and their functions. Students were able to use the Quizizz computer program for the quiz or if they chose, they could complete it on paper/pencil.

6th Grade STEM

This week we are starting to learn about the power of magnetic forces. We are building a door model with a secret lock that has to be opened ONLY using a magnet. There is no handle or lock to open the door. Students will be challenging other students to see if they can get their door open.

Mrs. Wightman 7th Science
Mrs. Wightman 6th STEM

Mrs. Cline

Art

Art 1: We are continuing our work on Patterns. They are working hard to draw 3 types of patterns: simple, mid level, complex.

Art 2: 3rd hour Art 2 is working on plaster masks that represent something about them - identity.

6th hour Art 2 is currently working on OP Art (Optical Art) paintings.

Mrs. Cline - Simple Art Pattern
Mrs. Cline - Simple Art Pattern (example)
Mrs. Cline - Plaster Mask
Mrs. Cline - Plaster Mask
Mrs. Cline - Optical Art
Mrs. Cline - Optical Art (example)
Mrs. Frontczak - Bowling

Mrs. Frontczak

PE

This week in PE, we dove into our bowling unit! Students practiced the 4-step approach and learned how to score. Who's ready to hit the lanes?

Miss Bulifant

Math

7th Grade Math with Miss Bee 

Discounts, Taxes, and Tips - oh my! This week we have been working with percents in real-world contexts! Dinner Dinner which TIP is the Winner Activity; brought to you by Miss Craft and my 7th Hour Math Class - Check us out! 

Miss Bulifant Math
Mrs. Marrs - Media Literacy

Mrs. Marrs

7th-Grade Healthy Living

Students are playing volleyball in PE. They are learning about the sport and working on improving their skills. Students finished the week with a mini-tournament. Current DMS volleyball players helped work with students by showing them the proper ways to handle the ball, serve, and general rules of the game.

8th-Grade Media Literacy

This week, students learned how to distinguish real news from fake news. They ended the lesson by taking a news article and creating a live broadcast about the story. Media Literacy students were able to practice their research skills, public speaking skills, and use technology to help create an entertaining but professional news story.

Events

October 16 - DMS 7th & 8th Grade Football vs. Berrien Springs M.S. @ Berrien Springs 4:30 pm

October 17 - DUS Fall Choir Concert @ PAC 7:00 pm

October 31 - Halloween

Reminders

ATTENTION BUS RIDERS: rider families to make sure they are at bus stop pickups and ready to hop on the bus 5-10 early each day so that they drivers and routes can stay on schedule!!!

If you would like to recognize a DMS staff member for a special "Chieftains Shout Out", please use the following link to do so: Staff Shout Out Link

staff

After School Tutoring Opportunities

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 necessary.

FYI-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:

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: ELA

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: Math

Monday & Wednesday: Social Studies

Building Information

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Principal:

Dr. Sean Wightman

swightman@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

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!