Monday, September 28, 2020

Mandarino Minutes for 9-28-20

 Dear Parents/Guardians,


Forgotten Masks-

Daily we have had students forget their masks and we understand this will happen from time to time.  We have a limited supply of extra masks for students in the office, but we could use your help to remind your daughter/son each morning to make grabbing a mask part of their routine.  Thanks!




Daily Screener Reminder -

Here is the link to the daily home screener before coming into school:

Daily Student Screening Guidance Link





Late Start Wednesday -

This Wednesday, September 30th we will have a district late start.  The buses will run one hour later.  Our doors will open at 8:15 AM and breakfast will be available at that time.  School begins at 8:45 AM.






NWEA Results -

Last week our students took the NWEA tests in Reading and Math.  The results will be sent home with you son/daughter after our makeups are over.  I will send out a message indicating the evening you should be expecting the report.





Lunch this week (Main Dish) -

Monday- Mini Corn Dogs

Tuesday- Hamburger/Cheeseburger

Wednesday - Turkey & Cheese Sub

Thursday- Hot Ham & Cheese

Friday- Bosco Sticks


Everyday a Soy butter & Grape Jelly Sandwich is available also.






When reporting an absence at Upton -

If you know your daughter or son is going to be absent, please do the following:

  1. Please call 926-3400
  2. List you child's first and last name
  3. Please list all their symptoms
If we have any questions we will give you a call back.  If students are feeling up to it they can check out their teachers google classroom sites while they are out of school.





Masks for Spectators at Sporting Events -

Parents, guardians, siblings, etc. must wear masks at all SJPS sporting events.  It doesn't matter if the sporting event is indoors or outdoors it is required.  Thanks for your help with this!




Quote of the week -






Have a fantastic week,

Mr. Mandarino





Monday, September 21, 2020

Mandarino Minutes for 9-21-20

 Dear Parents/Guardians,


Late Start this Wednesday, September 23rd -

This Wednesday, September 23rd is our first late start of the school year.  Buses will run one hour later.  Doors at Upton will open at 8:15 AM, and classes will begin at 8:45 AM.  This year with the COVID restrictions dropping students off at 7:15 AM is not an option.  Breakfast will be available at 8:15 AM.





A Huge Thank you from the Staff - 

The staff at Upton Middle School would like to thank you for the wonderful treats you have provided for our staff lounge to kickoff the year!  The bottled water, Keurig pods, granola bars, pretzel bags, chocolate, etc. was a great way to have for a quick pick me up.  We want to thank our awesome UPTO for organizing this.






Picture Day this Wednesday - 

Just a reminder that picture day is this Wednesday, September 23rd.  100% of our students will get their picture taken for the yearbook and student ID's whether they are purchasing a picture package or not.  A hard copy of the form went home last week with your daughter/son.  We also have the direct link to order as well.

https://prepay.geskusphoto.com/?A=3715


Virtual students picture day will be on October 16th.  More information on this will come via an email at a later time.





Morning Drop-Off -

Thanks so much for pulling up as far as you can when dropping off in the AM.  It really helps with our flow if your son/daughter has their backpack and items ready when it is time for them to disembark.  We also appreciate your safe driving!  This afternoon will be very crowded in the parking lot, so please watch out for students carefully.





Virtual Back to School Night Last Week- 

We hope you took the time last week to take a look at the video clips that our teachers made to introduce themselves and talk about the ins and outs of their classes for the school year.  If you haven't had a chance to view the videos yet, here is the link:

Back to School Night Link





Technical Issues on Friday -

We are sorry that some of your children had technical difficulties on Friday during our remote learning day.  No absences will be held against a student.  We were just hoping to get the entire class together for the first time before today.  We appreciated your patience!





NWEA Testing This Thursday and Friday -

This Thursday, September 24th (Reading) and Friday, September 25th (Math) our face to face students will be taking our Fall NWEA tests.  This will provide a baseline for our students.  We will also be testing in the Winter and Spring to check for student growth.  Virtual students will also be tested on the NWEA.  An email will come with information on the testing dates.





From the Desk of the UPTO -

A warm welcome to you, especially all the parents/guardians of our incoming Upton 6th graders!


The Upton PTO (UPTO) and its activities will look a bit different this year due to the pandemic, but our mission is still the same - to promote open and positive communication between parents and staff at Upton Middle School.


Communication is the key to success in these ever changing times.  We will be working very closely with Mr. Mandarino and his staff to support them and help communicate important information to families throughout the school year.  In order to do that, we need your current contact information.  Please take a moment and fill out the short Google form below.


UPTO Email Communication Form


Once we receive your contact information, you will be hearing from UPTO about school-related activities, up-to-date information on health and safety measures as well as opportunities for you and your student(s) to participate in, whether they are on school grounds or virtually. We want you to know we are here for you!  Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns and comments about virtual or in-person learning and check out our FaceBook page at Upton Middle PTO.


We can do this together - we are Upton Strong!


Please mark your calendars!  UPTO’s first board meeting is Thursday, October 15th at 12 pm. We encourage all parents to attend virtually!


Also, as you know, Bear Wear is back and the ever popular flannel pant has been added to the store.  Place your orders now, store is open until end of day Sunday, 9/27. 

Upton Middle School

https://ums2020fall.orderpromos.com/


Finally,  a HUGE thank you to all parents that made a donation to stock the teacher's lounge.  We've received many emails from our teachers expressing their appreciation for the goodies.  THANK YOU!!




Proper Mask Wearing and ... -

We shared two short videos with students last week about properly wearing their masks.  We ask that you help remind students to keep both their nose and mouth covered, wash the masks regularly, and as much as possible grab the mask at the ear loops instead of the mask itself.  Packing an extra mask in their backpack in a baggie is also a great idea.  



Quote of the week -




Have a wonderful week,

Mr. Mandarino


Monday, September 14, 2020

Mandarino Minutes for 9-14-20

 Dear Parents/Guardians,


Week 2-  

Today and tomorrow marks the days that 50% of our students will be here at Upton. Dismissal on 1/2 days is 11:00 AM  Wednesday and Thursday will be our first full days. Dismissal on full days is 2:42 PM. Friday will be a virtual morning.  

Here is Friday's schedule for the virtual morning:

Secondary Remote Friday 9/18
9:00 - 9:231st Hour Morning Meeting 9:00 am - 9:23
9:30 - 9:532nd Hour Morning Meeting9
10:00 - 10:233rd Hour Morning Meeting
10:30 - 10:534th Hour Morning Meeting
11:00 - 11:235th Hour Morning Meeting
11:30 - 11:536th Hour Morning Meeting

 Phase in 2 week visual:







Emergency Update Forms -


Everyone should have received an Emergency Update Form in the mail prior to school starting.  If you have not, let the office know.  Please correct any missing or incorrect information, sign it at the top and have your child return it to their 1st hour teacher, if you have not already.  Virtual students can drop those sheets off in our drop box on the outside brick wall by the office.





Picture Day is 9/23 for in-person students-


Forms will be coming home soon with your student but if you would like to order online, use this link: 


https://prepay.geskusphoto.com/?A=3715


Picture Day for Virtual Students is scheduled for 10/16-

  

Information will be sent to those students directly through an email.





Want to ride the bus? -


If you still need to sign up for the bus, please contact the Transportation Department at 269-926-3900. Upton bus schedules are on the Upton Middle School website under the parent tab and transportation. 






Picking your student up early from school-


Parents sign out students in the office, then wait outside. We will send students out to you. Parents are not allowed to wait in the office. 





Medication at School-


Stop by the office to pick up a medication administration form if your child needs to take medication during the day. This form must be signed by your doctor and then returned to the office with the medication. This includes any prescription medication, EpiPen, or inhalers. 







Choir/Band/Orchestra Virtual Students -


Your students are welcome to start attending class with instruments on Sept. 16 (last name A-K) or Sept 17th (last name L-Z).  Upon arrival students will check in with the main office and then proceed to their class.  Students must exit the building through the office.

 

Virtual students are responsible for bringing their instrument to and from school - you will not be issued an orchestra locker.

 

Be sure to join your director's Google Classroom. Your students have all received emails with the link to join.


Please be sure to follow the district calendar for late starts and half days.


Regular schedule at Upton MS:

1st hour 7:45-8:54 - 8th Band/Orchestra/Uptones

2nd hour 8:58-9:58 - 6th Band/Choir

3rd hour 10:02-11:02 - 7th Band/Choir

4th hour 11:34-12:34 - 7th Orchestra

5th hour 12:38-1:38 - 6th Orchestra

6th hour 1:42-2:42 - CONFERENCE





Back To School Night Tomorrow -


Tomorrow an email blast will go out with the links to connect with your child's teachers for back to school night virtual presentations. These will be taped and do not need to be watched live.




Laptop Paperwork 2020-2021-


Laptop Paperwork for the 2020-21 school year will be sent out later this week.  We are working to make the process and optional insurance payment digital this year.  All students should be taking devices home daily given the possibility of remote learning at some point during the year.




SJPS Media Resource-


The SJPS Library/Media team has created a website resource for students and parents to help navigate district technology.  Please visit the SJPS Student/Parent Digital Handbook site for helpful information.  Upton students will be introduced to the site later this week during their laptop bootcamp.  Additionally, students will have some activities to complete in Google Classroom to help them become better acquainted with our technology.





Guidance Team Resource -

Our wonderful guidance team has created a wonderful resource for our SJPS families. This will take the place of the monthly blog that was created last school year. Here is the link:


Guidance google site





Yearbook Order Forms-


In an effort to eliminate paper, checks, and cash we are preferring parents use online payments this year. All fees are waived and they can pay via check/money order. You can access the WebStore from our district home page, or any building home page via the button along the left side for online payments. 





Sideline Cheer -

Hello Ladies!


I am so excited for the chance to coach you all in sideline cheer this year! It’s a short season but we are going to have so much fun and learn a lot! 


There will be a parent/player VIRTUAL meeting on Monday, September 14th, 2020 at 5:45pm.  This will give you all the information that you will need for the season.  

Here is the link to the meeting https://meet.google.com/mxe-ooyy-utr 


Our first practice will be on Tuesday, September 15th at 4:30pm at Upton track.  To practice on this day, you MUST have your informed consent form and transportation for athletes form (these are on one piece of paper) turned into the Upton office.  


If you have any questions please email me at ereimers@stjoebears.com 


Can’t wait to see you and a parent virtually on Monday!! 


Coach Liz Reimers


Quote of the week -




Have a wonderful week,
Mr. Mandarino








Mandarino Minutes for 6-9-23

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