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.

GRANDPARENTS/SPECIAL FRIENDS Day:    Thank you so much to all of the grandparents and special friends who were able to attend this special day last Monday.   I believe this may have been our best turnout ever.   I would like to send a special thanks to our PTO and Kristin Ausra.  Please refer below for pictures from the is wonderful event.

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 Tuesday, December 9th.

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.

Calling all future Chieftains!

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

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!

December 6 - Elks Hoop Shoot Contest

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

December 10-11 - Santa's Secret Shop

December 12 - HERO Celebration #2

December 15 - Board Meeting, 6:00 @ PAC

December 19 - Half Day

December 22- January 2 - Winter Break/No School

Thank you to our PTO who made this wonderful event happen. We also want to thank everyone who attended and contributed to making this special day a memorable one!

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.

Principal:

Bryan Henry

bhenry@dowagaicschools.org

Phone: (269) 782-4460

Fax: (269) 782-4461

Secretary:

Carol Primley

cprimpley@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

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/