November 21, 2025

Message from the Principal

GRANDPARENTS/SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY REMINDER: This special day for our students and community will be held on Monday, November 24th. Please refer to the flyer below for grade level times and general information.

WINTER MUSIC PROGRAM REMINDER: Our Justus Gage Winter Music Program is fast approaching. The winter program will feature our K-2 students and special chorus. Mrs. Eckman will lead these talented students as they will showcase their hard work and talent on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:00 PM. The program will be held at the Performing Art Center at DMS.

KINDNESS: The Justus Gage Kindness Challenge -2025!

At the beginning of each week, for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year, your child will be given a suggestion for an act of kindness they can complete each day. The “Kindness Challenges” for the week will be displayed in each student’s locker on Monday morning.

We will kick off the “Kindness Challenge” during Monday’s Grandparent/Special Friend Day. Along with the “Kindness Challenge”, each student will also get an opportunity to make a “Kindness Themed” craft and do an activity with their grandparent or special friend.

All students and staff will also sign the kindness banner during the first week of December.

Thank you for partnering with us as we attempt to strengthen a culture of kindness among our students, staff, and community. Please continue to encourage your student(s) to “Be Kind”!

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

SPELLING BEE TRYOUTS: Tryouts have been rescheduled for a date TBD.

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.

ELKS HOOP SHOOT 2025: The Dowagiac Elks Club #889 is hosting it's Annual Hoop Shoot Contest. This event is open to Boys & Girls, ages 8-13 before April 1st. Registration will start at 10:00 a.m. and the Shoot will begin at 11:00 a.m. This event will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Dowagiac High School in the New Gym. There is no cost to participate in the Hoop Shoot. Questions, contact Mike Behnke at 269-462-0952.

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.

Dowagiac Girls Youth Basketball – In-Person Registration Only!

Calling all future Chieftains!

Dowagiac Girls Youth Basketball is holding in-person registration, grades 1st-6th, on the following dates:

Nov 25: 5-7pm

Dec 10: 5-7pm

Dec 11: 5-7pm

Dec 17: 5-7pm

Dowagiac High School Lobby (outside of competition gym)

Registration is $35, and every player gets a team jersey!

Let’s pack the gym and grow our youth program together!

Schedule of Events

November 24 - Grandparents Day

November 26-28 No School Thanksgiving Break

December 6 - Elks Hoop Shoot Contest

December 10 - Winter Music Program...Kinder, First and Second grades

December 15 - Board Meeting, 6:00 @ PAC

December 19 - Half Day

December 22- January 2 - Winter Break/No School

Building Highlights

October Student of the Month

Rylee Hayes

Rylee Hayes is new to Justus Gage this year, and she has proven to be a great addition to the Justus Gage family. She is the daughter of Chelsea Steimla and stepfather-Guadalupe Martinez.

Rylee is always respectful and kind. Everyday she comes into the building with a big smile on her face. She is a perfect example of a Justus Gage Hero. She is honest. She is a very trustworthy student and I can always trust that she will be genuine and sincere. She earns and gives respect everyday by raising her hand when she has a question or needs something instead of talking out in class. Rylee is responsible. She always does her assignments, works hard at learning, and always tries and does her best. I can always count on her to participate in my lessons. She is orderly and safe. I have never seen her doing anything dangerous or risky, and she will let me know if someone is not making good choices. Rylee is a sweet girl with a big heart, and she is a friend to everyone. Rylee lives the HERO expectations everyday.

When Rylee grows up, she would like to be a makeup artist. The entire Justus Gage team is proud of Rylee. Mrs. Baten is grateful that she is a member of the Baten’s Buddies this year.

October Perfect Attendence

2nd Graders: Lucas Roach, Ellia Wallace, Aurora Nutt, Zachary Sedlar, Natalie Azevedo, Eva Baez.

Kindergarten: Avery Glynn, Isabelle Machan, Amelia Ludwig, Emery Greene, Remi Skogen, Annabelle Poor.

3rd Graders: Ezekiel Jackson, Zander Holland, Brayan Vazquez Silva, Vela Bravo, Claire Fuller

4th Graders: Michael Doorn, Nevaeh Damouth, Kyler Swisher, Olivia Grady, Aleczander Hanifan, Ella Samuel, Mia Lopez.

5th Graders: Keith Washington, Josie Doorn, Carissa Grant, Leland Carpenter, Devin Mondschein, Logan Robson, Ella Swisher, Enzo Gasca. Front Row: Ozzlyn Mitchell, Lilly Holland, Zayla Hayes, Guadalupe Martinez, Rowan Davis, John Bakeman, Nolan Fuller.

1st Graders: Aria Garrelts, Conner Ferrier, Johnathon Denova Prudencio, Vivian Tapia, Hazeen Galvan, Lucas Doorn.

Mrs. Rohdy's Classroom: Giovanni Hines

Shout Out Friday

Community Events

The Cass Family Medical Mobile Clinic is now open and will be going around to different communities to provide appointments and walk in for medical care as well as medical health services. This is a calendar of where they are going to be located throughout the month.

They will be adding more locations as soon as they can get them set up. If you are looking for care or can not get into your provider, please contact Cass Family Clinic for an appointment at 269-445-3874.

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.