Message from the Principal

The Justus Gage Spelling Bee Team competed against the other three Dowagiac elementary teams today at the DMS PAC. Thanks for your hard work and congratulations on making the Justus Gage Team. Thank you, Jane Frontczak, for volunteering your time as you were a great coach.

Fifth Grade Team Members: Ace Amundsen, Uriel Cortez, Dafne Morales Dominguez, La'Jerionn Nickens, Evan Suasto with Norah Baez as the alternate.

Fourth Grade Team Members: Carissa Grant, Alexa Reeves, Reid Turrell, Ozzlyn Mitchell, Zachariah Piazza with the alternate being Addison Ausra.

Justus Gage Rocks!

Dowagiac Resident FOOD PANTRY: The food pantry that is held at the Catholic Church (back parking lot entrance) is open to all Dowagiac residents. It is open the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 10:00 - 2:00.

END OF DAY CALLS and PICK UPS: You must call the office by 3:00 p.m. to make arrangements for your student to go home a different way. This is a policy that we have had in place and unfortunately have to enforce. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

OUTSIDE RECESS: Please dress your student appropriately for the cold weather. It is our district policy to go outside for recess unless the temp is below 10 degrees w/windchill.

BUS RIDER PARENTS: Please have your student(s) at the bus stop 5-10 minutes early so that our bus drivers can stay on schedule in order for our schools to start on time. Thank you for helping.

Messages from our School Nurse

VISION SCREENING DATE JANUARY 24: The Vision and Hearing Technician from the Van Buren Cass District Health Department will be coming to our building in the next couple of weeks. The technician will be providing our 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade students with the required vision screening. This vision screening is done annually for these grades as part of our state requirements. We know that children who can see well have a better school experience so please ensure that your child wears his or her glasses to school every day if they have been prescribed them. This is just a screening and does not replace the importance of having your child’s vision examined by a provider.

*Please contact the main office or myself for any questions or concerns or if you wish to opt your child out of this screening.

DENTAL SEALANT: Justus Gage Elementary School is excited to announce that the Van Buren Cass District Health Department will be offering a great opportunity for our students.

Beginning Monday, February 3rd, 2025, the health department dental hygienist will be at Justus Gage offering a program to help stop tooth decay. The SEAL Michigan Dental Sealant Program will be coming to place dental sealants on permanent six-year and twelve-year molars at NO COST!!! If your child has dental insurance it will be billed and any amount not covered by your insurance will be covered by this program. Please check with your dental insurance as many plans do not cover the cost of dental sealants. If your child does not have dental insurance there will be NO COST.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity please complete the necessary form and send it back to the school as soon as possible (by February 3rd) and we will take care of everything from there.

PTO Carnival

Schedule of Events

January 20 - No School MLK Day and Regular Board Meeting

January 24 - Popcorn Day and Vision Screening Day for Grades 1, 3 & 5

January 31 - HERO Store

February 5 - PTO Carnival 6:00-7:30 pm

February 12 - Spring Count Day

February 19- County Spelling Bee

February 21 - Popcorn Day

February 28 - Hero Store

Reminders

DRESS FOR Winter WEATHER: In case you haven't observed, Winter is here. Winter hats, gloves, boots and coats are needed. It would also be ideal if you send your little ones with snow pants.

OUTSIDE LUNCHES: The district does not allow outside lunches to be delivered to school for students.

SICK CHILD: Please call the office and report that you are keeping your child home due to illness. The Cass Van Buren Health Department requires schools to report illnesses every week.