Message from the Principal

Wonderful Turnout for PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES: Thank you so much for attending parent teacher conferences the past few days. We nearly had one hundred percent turnout. Thanks for doing your part of the Home-School Family Compact!!!!!

HALLOWEEN PTO CANDY MONSTER: FEEDMEFEEDMEFEEDMEFEEDMEFEEDMEFEEDME! We are accepting candy donations for our PTO JG Halloween Night. Any donations are appreciated!! Please make sure all candy donated is individually wrapped. We always have a wonderful turnout for this event!

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 papers 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

October 17 - End of First Marking Period, HERO Celebration #1

October 20 - Board Meeting, 6:00 @ PAC

October 22 - Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00 - 7:45 pm

October 23 - 1/2 day K-5 Students...dismissal at 11:56 am

October 23 - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00 - 4:15 pm

October 24 - FREE Popcorn Day ... GOAL reached from FUNDRAISER

October 29 PTO Halloween Night

November 11 Picture Retake Day

November 17 - Board Meeting, 6:00 @ PAC

November 24 - Grandparents Day

November 26-28 No School Thanksgiving Break

December 10 - Winter Music Program

December 15 - Board Meeting, 6:00 @ PAC

December 19 - Half Day

December 22- January 2 - Winter Break/No School

Shout Out Friday

September Student of the Month

Congratulations Carissa Grant

Carissa Grant, fifth grader from Mrs. Munson’s class has been selected as Justus Gage’s September Student of the Month.

Carissa is an amazing person in so many ways. In the short time we have been together, I have seen first hand how mature and polite Carissa can be. Her calm and polite demeanor is very much appreciated in the classroom. She can be counted on to follow our HERO expectations each and every day, whether she’s on the playground, in the lunchroom, in the hallway or with the Specials teachers.

She works hard in the classroom and always puts in the extra effort. If a task is difficult, she puts in the extra work to master the task. As a result of her hard work Carissa was proficient in the ELA M-Step test last spring. In fact, she was just shy of being advanced with her ELA score. In addition, she was considered advanced for her Math M-Step test last spring. I have no doubt that she will continue to excel in her academics because she puts in so much effort with her work.

Carissa’s parents are Jason and Chrissy. She has an older sister, Cecily. Outside of the classroom, Carissa enjoys playing softball. You can usually see her playing 1st or 3rd base. She also spends time in the dance studio, fine tuning her ballet and hip hop skills. A story that she recently shared with me that helps explain her true character is that she once helped move a pile of dirt at home that needed to be moved from one spot to another. She truly is a kind, hardworking young lady. The entire Justus Gage community is extremely proud of Carissa’s accomplishments. Congratulations to Carissa!

Join us at the high school on Monday, October 27th, from 5:30 to 7 PM for a spook-tacular Monster Mash. This Halloween activity night is hosted by Chieftain Heart; our Chieftain goal is to spread spirit within our schools and our community. This fang-tastic event is perfect for our little ghouls and goblins in elementary and middle school. Get ready for a night filled with hauntingly good music, thrilling games, and treats galore at various stations. Crafty creatures can create their own treat bags at the craft table, and if the weather is frightfully fine, we’ll play outside! Remember, all young witches and wizards must be accompanied by a parent or an older sibling. Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed to dazzle and delight!

Reminders

On November 4, 2025, voters in Dowagiac Union Schools will consider a Sinking Fund Millage Proposal of 0.5 mill.

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.