Mandarino Minutes for 2-24-16

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Scheduling for next school year-

We are getting ready to schedule for next school year.  Teachers will be making recommendations this week, and live scheduling online will begin Friday afternoon/evening. The live scheduling will be Friday, February 26th- Friday, March 4th.  The paper form will be due by Monday, March 7th.

8th grade Summer PE and Health-

Please see the attachment for information on Summer Physical Education and Health for 8th graders entering 9th grade next Fall.  Link:  Summer PE & Health

Choir Festival-

Our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choirs performed Tuesday, February 23rd beautifully at The Chapel for their Region 6 Choir Festival.  We are currently waiting to see the results from the judges.  Mrs. Gray-Roll had all choirs prepared, sounding great, and the students had a really fun time.  This festival is like the M-Step of choir.

Pre-Festival Band & Orchestra Concert-

Due to the weather the pre-fesitval concert has been cancelled for tonight (Wednesday, February 24th).  When we have a rescheduled date we will let you know.


1/2 Day of Friday, March 4th-

We will have a 1/d day next Friday, March 4th. Dismissal will be at 11:04 A.M.

Flint Water Crisis-

Thanks to the generosity of our students and staff we raised $775 towards the Flint water issues.  A check has been sent on behalf of the students and staff of UMS.

UPTO-
Here are the highlights from the last UPTO meeting:

The last UPTO meeting took place at noon pm on Thursday, February 17 and lasted less than an hour.  Seven people attended.  Topics of discussion included class scheduling for next year; upcoming events like the spelling bee, music festivals, and the variety show; and M-STEPs..  Volunteers are needed for eighth-grade career day and the eighth-grade farewell; contact an UPTO board member if you'd like to volunteer.  Those who have already volunteered for these events should be contacted by the committee chairs soon.  Our next meeting has been moved to noon on Thursday, March 10, so Mrs. Cardon can inform us about the upcoming bond issue.

Quote of the week:

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”-  Henry David Thoreau

Have a good rest of the week,
Mr. Mandarino

Blog post for 2-16-16

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In Loving Memory of Madie Flores

It is with incredible sadness that Upton Middle School 8th grader Madie Flores passed away of cancer.  Our students wrote some very beautiful sympathy letters and many attended her service.  It was wonderful to see the love and thoughtful outpouring of support.  Our team of SJPS counselors, social workers, and support from the Berrien RESA was excellent for our students and staff as they grieved in their own way.  Madie is our hero!  She was a courageous, fun-loving, sweet, and a lovely young lady.  Our thoughts and prayers are with George, Mary, and Melanie Flores.


One-Hour Delay

SJPS will be having a one-hour delay tomorrow, Wednesday 2-17-16.  Buses will run one hour later, and breakfast will still be served.  Classes will begin at Upton will begin at 8:45 A.M. 

Girls Soccer from the desk of Aaron Soule

Upton Middle School Soccer Club would like to invite all interested 6th, 7th, & 8th grade girls to participate in the 2016 Spring Southwest Michigan Middle School Soccer League (SMMSSL).   All girls are welcome to sign up to participate in the up coming season. Teams will be based on grade and skill level making this a fun and competitive soccer experience.  So come join us to make another great season of Bear soccer. 

When: 

Thursday, February 18^th, 6:00PM – 6:30PM

A short parents meeting will be held to discuss the upcoming

season and answer any questions.  Players are welcome to

attend.

Where: 

Upton Middle School Auditorium

Who:

All 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Girls

If you are unable to attend the meeting and your daughter is interested in playing this spring, please contact me at soule3@mac.com. 

 Best regards,

Aaron Soule

Director of Upton Middle School Soccer

Safe Online Talk

This week our school social worker (Mrs. Fairchild) and counselors (Mrs. Olson & Mrs. Lownds) reviewed with our 7th graders safe online talk.  Please see this link for tips: 

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/classroom_curriculum/6-8-familytip-safeonlinetalk.pdf


Quotes of the week:  

"True happiness is...to enjoy the present, without anxious dependance upon the future."- Lucius Annaeus Seneca

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start." -  Nido Qubein

Have a good week,
Mr. Mandarino
 

Mandarino Minutes for 2-2-16

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

Late Start 2-3-16  & 2-17-16

SJPS will be having a one-hour delay both Wednesday, 2-3-16 and 2-17-16. Buses will run one hour later, and breakfast will still be served.  Classes will begin at Upton at 8:45 A.M.

UPTO Meeting 2-11-16

Our wonderful UPTO group will meet next Thursday, February 11th at 12:00 P.M. in the Upton Conference room.  We would love to have you if your schedule will allow.

Semester Honor Roll

At the end of each semester the honor rolls are computed as follows:

4.00 - 3.50 Maize Honor Roll
3.49 - 3.00 Blue Honor Roll

The semester honor roll will be posted in the Herald Palladium.  When we know a date that this will be printed I will pass it on in this blog.  Marking period honor roll breakfasts, sponsored by our UPTO, take place at the end of the 1st and 3rd marking periods.

Planetarium Community Night-  The Little Star that Could

Our next community night for the planetarium is Tuesday, February 16th at 6:30 P.M. and it is called The Little Star that Could.

8th grade entering 9th grade in the Fall of 

2016 Student and Parent Meeting-

Informational Scheduling Meeting for 8th Grade Students & Their Parents 

who plan to attend

St. Joseph High School Fall 2016

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

6:30pm

St. Joseph High School Auditorium

Flint Water Fundraisers-

Thanks to all of our students and staff who contributed to the Flint water issues by wearing their hats.  This Thursday, February 4th we will wear pajamas for $1 to also aide this very worthy cause.  

A New Start-

With the start of a new semester it is also a new start for students.  We hope the second half of the year is a successful one for your son/daughter!  Please help them keep those established routines for studying, homework, being on time to school, and giving 100% on a daily basis.

Quotes of the Week-

"Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking." --Bernard Baruch

"With every deed you are sowing a seed, though the harvest you may not see." Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Have a good week,

Mr. Mandarino