Mandarino Minutes for September 29, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Science Olympiad meeting-

As mentioned last week you must attend one of the meetings either today from 3:00-4:00 P.M. or tomorrow from 6:00-7:00 P.M. for your son/daughter to participate in our Science Olympiad team.  If you have any questions you may email Ms. Kietzerow for more information.  Kkietzerow@sjschools.org

Late-Start tomorrow-

We have a district one-hour delay tomorrow.  Buses will run one hour later and school will begin at 8:45 A.M. Breakfast will still be available to students that would like it.  Our morning supervision is also still in place.

UPTO No-Sale Fundraiser-

Thanks so much to many of you have already given your donation towards our wonderful UPTO.  They do so many great things for our students and student-athletes.  Their generosity towards many worthwhile causes has benefitted many students and staff over the years.  Some of the following items have happened:  purchase of books, uniforms and sports equipment, 8^th grade Career day support, gym class items, mini teacher grants, etc.  If you would still like to make a donation we would love if you could send that in with your son/daughter and we will make sure it makes it to the UPTO mailbox at Upton. 

Count Day-

Count day for the state of Michigan is next Wednesday, October 7^th.  In the middle school we take attendance every hour for our documentation.  It our hope to avoid as many appointments and late arrivals for students on this day.  Your help would be appreciated.

Homecoming Football game this Friday-

Just a reminder that we would like our middle school students to either be in the middle school section or sitting with their parents during home football games. Bringing footballs from home is discouraged, and pick-up football games behind the stadium are also not allowed.  We want the students to have a good time with their friends in the stands and to cheer on the team.  Thanks for your help and support.

Congratulations to our Cross Country teams-

Our 7^th & 8^th grade girls and boys each took home 1^st places this past weekend at a huge meet.  Our 6^th grade girls also took home 1^st place, while our 6^th grade boys finished in 3^rd place.  This was a fantastic effort for all.  Our coaches, Ms. V and Mr. Fralick, were very proud of you all!   

Quote of the week:
“I think togetherness is a very important ingredient to family life.” – Barbara Bush

Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for Friday, September 25, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I will be moving Mandarino Minutes from a PowerAnnounment/email to a blog.  The advantages of this will be you can subscribe to this blog and have all the past & current posts all in one place.  To subscribe to the blog please enter your email in the upper right corner of this page.  Or, you can simply bookmark the address of this blog which is http://mandarinominutes.blogspot.com/ Being a novice "blogger" I will hope to improve this site as I go.  

Thanks,
Mr. Mandarino


Science Olympiad Flyer

Please see the attached flyer link above (just click on Science Olympiad Flyer) for any student who would like to be a part of our Science Olympiad team.  Ms. Kietzerow, Mrs. Foster, and Dr. St. Amand do an excellent job guiding our students.

8th grade field trip chaperones

8th grade parents are needed as chaperones for the science field trips planned for October 20th and October 23rd.  Please contact your son/daughter's science teacher to be a part of this trip.  The students will be heading to the water plant and fish hatchery.

Last Chance for Spirit Sales

The deadline for ordering for Spirit sales is this Tuesday, September 29th.  The following link will take you to the ordering site:  http://lazergraphicsinc.com/sale/upton-middle-school.html 

Thanks to Nye's Apple Barn

The Upton Life Management department would like to give a special thanks to Nye’s Apple Barn for donating apples for the 8th grade foods classes to make applesauce, apple butter, dried apples, and apple pie.  Please thank the folks at Nyes when you stop by for fresh local produce and gift items.  We are very fortunate to have such an abundance of fruits and vegetables this time of year and a local business that is willing to support our program.

Youth Night at the Bear Cage for SJHS Soccer

Tomorrow evening at 6:45 P.M. come to Upton Middle School at the Bear Cage to watch the Bears take on the South Haven Rams.  All youth (boys and girls) that show up to the game will be able to play a small sided game at halftime of the game.

Quote of the day:
In honor of the great Yogi Berra:
"If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else." - Yogi Berra

Have a great weekend,
Mr. Mandarino