National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9, 2025. The Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence wishes to celebrate teachers across Michigan for the entire month of May.

MDE invites parents to submit 15-30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Cell phones easily capture the videos. Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent must be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos are currently being accepted until Friday, April 16, 2025.

Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and MDE’s YouTube channel. The Office of Educator Excellence’s Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages will be promoting the videos throughout the month of May. 

If your child has great things to say about a teacher, use the instructions found on MDE’s website to submit a video today! 

If you submit a video to MDE, please share it with Amber Todd, our Communications Director, at atodd@dowagiacschools.org. This will enable her to feature these videos on our website and Facebook pages.

Message from the Principal

Please remember that toys and electronics are not allowed at school. We don't want them to get lost or broken. Also, candy is not allowed at school as a snack.

Please keep them at home.

Schedule of Events

March 10-14: Book Fair
March 12: Conferences 5:00pm-8:00pm
March 13: 1/2 day of school, Conferences 1:00pm-4:30pm
March 21: Science Olympiad (Select 3rd-5th graders)
UPDATE***** New Date
March 24: Spring Music Program (Grades 3rd-5th and Special Chorus)- DMS @7:00

Building Highlights

The student that I have chosen to be my kindergarten classroom’s student of the month is Natalie Jones. Natalie is a great example of what it means to be a Chieftain Hero! As a friend, Natalie is kind, helpful, and encourages her classmates.

Everyday, Natalie comes to school eager to learn with a positive attitude. Natalie consistently demonstrates the highest academic performance in all subjects. She grew 23 points in reading and 30 points in math on her i-Ready diagnostic test.

Congratulations, Natalie!

Great Job to our future Chef Contestants Cristian Mendoza and Hana Hafer-Howe.

Cristian cooked and displayed Beef Empanadas.

Hana cooked and displayed Zucchini Steak Tacos. This dish earned Hana first place!! Congratulations Hana!

Book Fair Link

Dates: March 10- March 14

Staff Shoutout

Mrs. Magin is our Title I teacher. This month she is heading up our March is Reading Month celebrations. Mrs. Magin works with students and promotes a love for reading. She is highly dedicated to supporting students with all challenges. Sister Lakes is lucky to have Mrs. Magin!

Reminders

Cold weather: Please make sure your student has appropriate outdoor gear to wear during recess. Hats, gloves, snow pants, boots and a warm coat. Students go outside for lunch recess everyday unless the temperature is 10 degrees or below.

School Closing Information: If school will be closed or delayed due to inclement weather or any other reason, the district will begin to notify families starting at 5:30 am via automated phone calls. Please make sure that your contact information is up to date with the office.

ATTENDANCE: It is very important that students are in school everyday, but the school realizes that there are some reasons for excused absences. Make sure to call the school and let us know when your student is going to be absent or the school will be calling you. When a student returns to school after any period of absence, please send a note stating the reason for the absences.

*If your student(s) is running late, please bring them to the office and sign them in.

*If you need to pick up your child early for any reason please call the office 269-782-4468.

Given the increase in illnesses, this serves as a friendly reminder about the importance of proper handwashing.