Mandarino Minutes for 11-23-15

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Conferences and Big Thanks-

The teachers, counselors, and administration would like to thank you for coming to conferences last week.  We have a nice turnout.  If you were unable to attend Thursday, we will be sending home the report cards and NWEA scores in their first hour classes tomorrow (Tuesday, November 24th).  We would also like to thank the parents, PTO, and coordinator Amy Peterson for providing a delicious meal from Charlie's Piggin' N' Grinnin Award Winnin' Barbecue between afternoon and evening conferences.  The meal was very appreciated!!


Junior Equestrian Team-

The Junior Equestrian Team at Upton Middle School is looking for students with all experience levels. Mrs. Cindy Phillip will be the coach and is excited to guide our team.  For more information you may go to :  http://stjoeequestrianteam.weebly.com/  or you may also email Cindy at cphilip@vbisd.org



Logo Contest for the Ren Baldwin Technology Festival-

SJPS is having a logo contest for the 2016 Ren Baldwin Technology Festival.  If your son/daughter would be interested in entering the contest the following link gives the details for this:
https://goo.gl/z1AfFU



Dressed for Success-  

Tomorrow (Tuesday, November 24th) will be our 8th annual dress nicely the day before Thanksgiving Day! :)


Battle of the Books-

The 28th annual Battle of the Books was a huge success!  Thanks so much to Mrs. Humes, Mrs. Dirlam, Mrs. Anderson, our ELA department, retired Upton employees, and the numerous parents volunteers that made the day so special.  The winning team came from Mrs. Gressley's 2nd hour class with the winning team named the Nerdy Knights.  The team consisted of :  Hannah Blazina, Gabriella Ott, Paige Dahlen, and Matthew Maher.  The runner-up team from Mrs. Gressley's 3rd hour, Hooked on Books,  consisted of:  Anika Benthem, Lauren Arel, Andrianna Nimtz, and Abby Peterson.


Toys for Tots-

Many of the schools in Southwest Michigan were approached by the United States Marines to participate in Toys for Tots and the Upton Middle School Student Council has agreed for Upton to be a drop-off area.  If your family would like to donate a new unwrapped toy our collection will run Monday, November 30th-Friday, December 11th.  All of our toys stay in Southwest Michigan to less fortunate kids.


Dance-

The 7th and 8th grade dance will take place on Friday, December 4th in the Upton Blue Gym from 6:00-9:00 P.M.  This dance is dress-up optional. (Not required)  The admission is $4 or a toy worth $4 or more towards the Toys for Tots Drive.


Builders Club-

The Builders Club will be meeting next on Wednesday, December 2nd after school until 4:30 P.M.


Honors Breakfast-

An invitation will be coming via email soon from the Upton PTO on Honors Breakfast.  They will take place next week Tuesday, December 1st (6th grade), Wednesday, December 2nd (7th grade), and Thursday, December 3rd (8th grade) and each day breakfast will be served at 7:15 A.M. and the presentation of Honor roll certificates will take place around 7:25 A.M.  You can refer to the November 2nd blog post for the honor roll criteria.


Book Fair-

The Upton Book Fair will take place from Monday, November 30th-Friday, December 11th.  The fair is in our Upton Media Center.  Any proceeds made from the Book fair goes right back into the Upton Media Center.


Lost and Found-

We have had the lost and found out at Upton for two weeks now.  If you know your son/daughter has lost something please have them check the tables out.  We have had many happy kids in the last few weeks to see long lost items discovered.

Quotes of the week:

"All I ever wanted really, and continue to want out of life, is to give 100 percent to whatever I'm doing and to be committed to whatever I'm doing and then let the results speak for themselves.  Also to never take myself or people for granted and always be thankful and grateful to the people who helped me." - Jackie Joyner-Kersee

“Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours.” - Marcus Aurelius

I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Mr. Mandarino