Turnout for Spring Conferences:  We had a wonderful turnout for our spring Conferences.   Let's continue to work together and have our students have a strong finish by following our HERO expectations and trying their best with their academics and spring testing.

Spring Music Concert Reminder:   Our Spring Music Program for grades three though five and our special chorus will be performing Wednesday, March 18th.   The concert will be held at the DMS Performing Art Center and will start at 7:00 PM.   Check out a few videos of our Music Intern, Miss Olson and Mrs. Eckman working with our third and fifth graders.

Statewide Tornado Drill:  I wanted to let everyone know that the statewide tornado drill is Wednesday, March 18th at 1:00 PM.   The storm sirens will sound as they are tested to make sure that they are working properly.

Thank you for everyone's patience last Friday while our school was actively in their storm safety position just prior to dismissal.  As a reminder we are required to keep all of our students and staff safe and in this storm safety position until we receive notice that we may resume normal activities and/or the all clear sirens.   As a reminder, the safety of our students and staff has always been and will continue to be our number one priority.

February Perfect Attendance:  Please check out the pictures below for our students that have received perfect attendance for the month of February

Good Luck to All of Spring Musical Participants:  We are so proud of our Justus Gage Participants.  The following students have been working extremely hard practicing and rehearsing: 4th Graders: Vertilla Bennett, Savannah "Jade" Treadwell and Ella Samuel, Fifth Graders: Addy Ausra, Josie Dorn and John Bakeman.  Don't miss your chance to view the Spring Musical:  Frozen.   You can catch the musical on

Justus Gage PTO Fundraiser Reminder:

Family, Friends, and Supporters of Justus Gage Elementary PTO,

Please do not forget about our PTO Fundraiser with Charleston Wrap® – .  This fundraiser started last Friday and will end on Monday, March 16th.

Please  check out this video https://player.vimeo.com/video/1082559615?h=d63a19c0bd

Thank you for your help!
- Justus Gage Elementary PTO

March is Nation Reading Month:  This year we are going to "Go For the Gold in Reading!" Reading log packets with reading month information was sent home today!   Let's work together to promote reading and have our students reach our goal.   Please make sure your student returns his/her reading log Monday.

Spring Parent Teacher Conferences:  Many Parent Teacher Conference appointment times have been scheduled.   These scheduled times will come home today or Monday.   As a reminder, conferences will be held on March 11th and 12th.

Science Olympiad Participants:    Our Science Olympiad students had a wonderful experience last Friday at SMC.  Please check out pictures in our building highlights below. Our third grade team earned a first place blue ribbon in the Marshmallow Structure.   Thank you Mr. Justin Bennett for chaperoning our JG students.  Please check out pictures in our building highlights below.

Kids Heart Challenge: Check out our certificate, we are so proud of our students!

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.

Sadly, our area knows all too well the toll severe weather can take on a community.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟱-𝟮𝟭 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸.

The State of Michigan has put together a number of resources to help you and your loved ones plan for a severe weather emergency. You can access them at the portal below.

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟴, 𝗮𝘁 𝟭 𝗣𝗠. Dowagiac sirens will activate for a full warning cycle, which will last approximately five minutes. After the warning cycle is completed ,the all-clear alarm will sound for approximately two minutes.

We'll post reminders when we get closer to that date. For now, review the materials and make sure you have a plan to stay safe in severe weather.

We have had many students that are out of school for various illnesses and I wanted to remind parents about our illness policy which states that children should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of any fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Motrin.  I also want to remind parents that it is important for you to contact the school to notify us that your child is ill.  The school is required by the public health law to report illness numbers to the local health department each week and the information we report is gathered from what parents report to the school.  It is very helpful for our report if you can provide us with a basic idea of what type of illness your child is experiencing.  Also if your child is seen at a physician office please bring in a written excuse from their office to document their illness.  

Just a reminder, any medication that must be administered at school must have a completed medication authorization form completed by a physician.  Medication must be brought to school by a parent/guardian with the authorization form completed. This form can be obtained in the office along with the Dowagiac Union School Medication Policy. 

Also reminding you as we are still in the cold months,  your children will be wearing coats and hats so with those we find the number of students with head lice to be increasing.  Please remember to check your child’s hair frequently during these times.  If you notice any signs of head lice please begin the treatment process immediately.  This process is very time consuming, but in order to keep the head lice from returning the entire process must be completed.  If you would like information about the treatment of head lice please feel free to contact me at 269-782-4420 ext. 1218 or sdorman@dowagiacschools.org with any questions or concerns.

Suzanne Dorman RN, MSN

School Nurse

Dowagiac Union Schools

1st Grade: Nolan Bennett, Aria Garrelts, Louisa Hebert, Mia Maynard, Jonathan Denova-Prudencio, and Ryleigh Slaubaugh

Kindergarten: Grace Schultz, Annabelle Poor, Aaron Gonzalez, Maximiliano Montiel-Gutierrez, and Lorenzo Gasca

3rd Grade: Alice Johnson, Edwin Poor, Luchiano Morales-Gutierrez, Kayden Procter, Able Winchester, and Aubrey Kirby. 

4th Grade: Christopher Slaughter, Cameron Piazza, Kyler Swisher, Teagan Miller, Amelia Azevedo, Mia Lopez, and Michael Doorn

2nd Grade: Zachary Sedlar, Eva Baez, Leland Souers, and Gabbriella Fee, 

ECSE: Lincoln Vaughn

5th Grade: Collin Kelly, Leland Carpenter, Keith Washington, Carissa Grant, Azucena Maes, Zayla Hayes, and Ella Swisher. 

Jaxon Frontczak and Noah Coons earned 1st place as members of our third-grade team. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!

3rd Grade: Noah Coons, Yaniel Cortez, Ethan Souers, and Claire Fuller. 

4th Grade: Vertilla Bennett, Teagan Miller, Elenora Hand, Christopher Slaughter, and Kamren Steward.

4th Grade: Harlow Todd, Addison Ausra, Ava Bober, Carissa Grant, and Josie Doorn

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW | FROZEN, JR THE MUSICAL

Help support our amazing students by purchasing tickets to the spring musical.

A big thanks to the Beckwith Theatre Co. for partnering to bring our tickets online.

Scan the QR Code or visit the website: https://bit.ly/FrozenJrMarch2026