February 6, 2026

 

Message from the Principal

Morning Arrival Reminder: I wanted to remind all of our Justus Gage families that supervision and arrival starts at 8:27 for our Justus Gage students.  At 8:27, students report to the cafeteria for breakfast or their morning lineup spot.   Morning lineup will take place in the building if the windchill(real feel) is below ten degrees.   Thanks for working together in keeping our walkers, bus riders and parent drop off students safe! 

PTO Winter Carnival- We had a tremendous turn out of Justus Gage families last night.   It was awesome to see all of our families having a wonderful time with their family members and classmates.   Our carnival could not have run smoother. I would like to personally thank all of our DMS and DUHS volunteers, parent volunteers and PTO board members.

Lost and Found:   Thank you for helping us in getting your child's missing belonging back their owners.   Any unclaimed items have been donated to Goodwill.

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.

 

 

Kids Heart Challenge:

Justus Gage Elementary School families,

Our school had so much fun kicking off this year’s Kids Heart Challenge! Our community counts on lifesavers like you. Can we count on you to help us hit our goal of getting 50% of our
kiddos participating?

BONUS: your student will get this awesome wristband just for joining our schools team or using the KHC app.

 

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.

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

February 11 - Spring Count Day

February 13 - Valentine's Day Celebrations, County Spelling Bee 

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

February 20 - Popcorn Day

February 27- HERO Store

March 11 - Evening Parent Teacher Conferences

March 12 - 1/2 Day, Afternoon Parent-Teacher Conferences

March 13 - Popcorn Day

March 18 - Spring Music Program

March 20 - HERO Store

March 27- No School

March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break

Shout Out Friday

Play 

Building Highlights

Kickoff Assembly!

Thank you to Mrs. Schibley for organizing this fundraiser. Pictured below is Mrs. Hannapel's 5th grade class!

Thank you to our PTO, Staff, & DUHS/DMS Volunteers who helped make the Winter Carnival happen!

Community Events

 
 

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!