January 23, 2026

 

Message from the Principal

Spelling Bee Info:   Please Check out our Spelling Bee pictures in the building highlights below.

Lost and Found:   We still have several unclaimed items from our lost and found.   Please come in and help claim your child's belongings.

PTO Winter Carnival-Safe the Date:  Our Winter PTO Carnival is fast approaching.   We hope to see all of our Justus Gage families here on Thursday, February 5th.   This even will run from 5:30 - 7:00. 

Winter Weather and Indoor/Outdoor recess:  As a reminder, our students will be outside for lunch recess unless the temperature with the windchill is below ten degrees.  Please make sure that we are sending our students to school with appropriate winter clothes.

Good attendance is essential and Impacts More Than Academics: Besides learning loss, frequent absences harm social-emotional development, affecting how children build relationships and navigate school.

We will highlight our students who had perfect attendance for the month of December in next week's newsletter.

 

Kids Heart Challenge:

Justus Gage Elementary School families,

I am excited to help create a community of lifesavers and am asking you to join me. Sign up tonight to receive a wristband!

This year, we have an important goal to have 100% of our families learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR! It only takes a few minutes to learn, and it can make all the difference in an emergency.

1. Sign Up for Kids Heart Challenge by downloading the free “AHA Schools” app for Apple or Android or by clicking HERE.
2. Be a hero: Send 10 texts TODAY to help save lives.
3. Complete Finn’s Mission: Complete all 7 steps, learn Hands-Only CPR, and be entered to win two Super Bowl tickets!

By signing up and raising funds, you can help us earn gift certificates for physical activity and recess equipment to support the health & wellness of our school community.

Let’s work together to create a community of lifesavers. Thank you for your support in helping us achieve this incredible goal!

 

SCHOOL NURSE MESSAGE: 

We are seeing an increased number of cases of head lice in our buildings as well as across the Southwest Michigan area.  With the number of cases increasing, please check your child’s hair frequently for nits and live bugs.  If your child is found to have head lice, please begin treatment immediately.  Head lice treatment is very time consuming and can be expensive, but if the head lice and all of the nits are not removed from the hair as well as anything that comes in contact with the hair the cycle will start over in your home.

There are resources for head lice treatment in the main office if you need assistance.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at 269-782-4420 ext. 1218 or sdorman@dowagiacschools.org.

Suzanne Dorman RN, MSN

District School Nurse

WINTER IS HERE:   It is time to drag out those HATS, BOOTS, WINTER COAT, GLOVES and SNOW PANTS.  Please put your students name in each item so that they don't get mixed up with other students having the same color item.

LOST AND FOUND: Our Lost and Found is OVERFLOWING!!! Please have your students take a look if they are missing any items. Any unclaimed items will be donated after Friday 1-23-26. 

NO POKEMON or ANY KIND of TRADING CARDS BROUGHT TO SCHOOL!! Please remind your students that no Pokemon or any trading cards are allowed at school. Thanks for working together in keeping everyone's trading cards at home.

ST. FRANCIS OUTREACH FOOD PANTRY: The food pantry at the Catholic Church in Dowagiac on Oak Street is open every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. No necessary forms to complete.

DISMISSAL TIME REMINDER: Please remember to park Northbound on James St., Eastbound on Wayne St. and Southbound on Oak St. when you are picking up your child. GSRP and Kindergarten parents are to use the parking lot which is accessible off of James Street and then please exit onto Wayne St. Thanks for working together in keeping everyone safe.

 

Schedule of Events

January 23 - HERO Store

January 28 - County Spelling Bee

January 30 - Jump for Heart Kickoff Assembly

February 16 - Jump for Heart Fundraiser Ends, Board of Education Meeting

February 27- HERO Store

Building Highlights

4th and 5th Grade Spelling Bee Teams

4th Grade Spelling Bee Team

Eleonora Hand, Elliot Emerson, Vertilla Bennett, Joseph Castelan-Huertas, Christopher Slaughter, Abraham Hatfield.

5th Grade Spelling Bee Team

Carissa Grant, John Bakeman, Jayke Dutoi, Maxwell Kremer, Brooklyn Wright, Maia Little.

Helpful Information

Reminders

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.


FLIP FLOPS & SANDALS:  Please do not send your student to school with flip flops or sandals.  Tennis shoes are best for this time of year.

Building Information

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Principal:

Bryan Henry

bhenry@dowagaicschools.org

Phone: (269) 782-4460

Fax: (269) 782-4461

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Secretary:

Ashley Miller

ashleymiller@dowagiacschools.org

Phone: (269) 782-4460

Fax: (269) 782-4461

Drop Off Time: 8:27 a.m.

Breakfast: 8:27 a.m.-8:41 a.m.

Building Times: 8:41 a.m.-3:37 p.m.

Half Day Dismissal: 11:56 a.m.

Phone: 269-782-4460

Social Media

Justus Gage Website:

https://www.dowagiacschools.org/o/jges

Justus Gage Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JustusGageElementary/

Lunch Menu:

https://dowagiacschools.nutrislice.com/menu

District Website:

https://www.dowagiacschools.org/

District Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/dowagiacschools/

GO CHIEFTAINS!