Mandarino Minutes for 11-19-21

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thanksgiving Break-

We will not have school November 24-26 for Thanksgiving Break. If your child will be missing any school days for the upcoming holidays please call the office at 269-926-3400 and leave a message on the attendance line with your child’s name and the dates for missing school.  Thank you! We hope your family has an enjoyable time together and safe travels!

Congratulations Joe Bots! -

The Joe Bots team had their first qualifier of this season at Fruitport this past week and our teams did GREAT!!!

-- 8513 Maize:  Ranked 6th; Advancing to STATE!

-- 11855 Blue: Ranked 10th;

-- 13702 White: Received Judges Award

More importantly than the match points and awards, our Joe Bots exemplified Gracious Professionalism by cheering for every team; helping and encouraging each other and having fun.  Our parents are engaged and helpful throughout the day as well.  Actually, we have a group of very engaged parents this year, which really helped to make this great season. 

The teams will go to Coloma Qualifier on Dec 4th; and the State Championship is on Dec 17 & 18.  We will continue to improve our robots in the next couple of weeks to do our best!

Writing Club-

Join the UMS Writing Club!  This club is for anyone who enjoys writing and is looking for some camaraderie.  Meetings will be held on 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month in Room 213.  The 1st meeting will be December 2nd.   Email Mrs. LoPresti for more information at mlopresti@sjschools.org.

7th & 8th Grade Dance-

The 7th & 8th grade dance will be on Friday, December 3rd from 5:30-7:30 PM at Upton Middle School. It is formal optional. We will have students dressed in anything from shorts & jeans to dresses & suits. It is totally up to the individual.

Report Card grades in PowerSchool-

Quarter and rotation grades are in PowerSchool for your child.  We do not print report cards at the end of the quarters or rotations. A final report card is printed at the end of the school year.

NHS Tutoring at HS-

Just as a reminder that National Honor Society tutoring has started at the High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-4:00 pm.  Students that want to attend must stop in the Upton office in the mornings (before noon) to pick up a Study Session Form.  This must be signed by their teacher.  Then students will ride the Pink Pig to the High School and report to the Media Center.  If you are not on the tutoring list, your child cannot ride the bus.  Please have your child check in to the Upton office EACH Tuesday and/or Thursday that they plan to attend, to pick up a new Study Session Form.

The Thanksgiving Thankful 5k-

There is more to Thanksgiving than piling our plates high with a mountain of turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin pie.  Join us this year as we take time to be thankful! On Thanksgiving morning Upton will be hosting a 5k run/walk.  This event is intended for students AND their families.

There is no charge for this event.  We hope to get a large number of participants.  The event will take place at Upton Middle School and begins at 9am out on our track.  Participants will take part in a 5k run or walk that winds through our school grounds and a nearby neighborhood.  Throughout the course participants will also have a chance to reflect on what they are thankful for at our "Thankful Stations."  There will be an opportunity to donate towards a charitable cause.  Bring a dollar or two if you feel so inclined.  

We hope that you and your family would consider partnering with us in this demonstration of thanksgiving.

If you plan to participate please fill out the form: https://forms.gle/8evyTrVTQQC6gQz8A

Sound of Music this weekend!-

Don’t forget to get your tickets for Sound of Music this weekend!

Purchase tickets online at: sjmusical.ludus.com (scan QR code below) Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Ski Club-

Please watch this video before signing up for Ski Club:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XAS5lc2EoFhKFITvRJQygZ9nTqSSN3mGyfRICB_qAY4/edit?usp=sharing

Book Fair-

The Upton Book Fair is almost here!  The fair in our media center will run from 11/29 through 12/10.  Students will have opportunities to visit and shop through their ELA classes, but families can also shop through our online fair  beginning on 11/29 -- just in time to browse for holiday surprises or gather and give gift suggestions to far-flung family members.  

See you at the fair!

News from the Guidance Department-

Please click on the link to see the latest updates from the guidance department:

Upton Guidance Department Link

"We are thankful for..." tree in the hallway at Upton

Spelling Club-

The Spelling Club will NOT meet on November 23rd . They will meet again on November 30th.

Girls Competitive Cheer Next Tues., Nov. 23rd-

Builders Club making cards-

Recently our Upton Builders Club made cards for the St Joseph Police Department and Firefighters! Thank you for all you do!

From the desk of the UPTO:

St Joseph Playoff Football Game-

DEWITT VS. ST JOSEPH - Football Semifinal

Varsity Football State Semifinals this Saturday, Nov. 20 at 1pm at Jenison High School (2140 Bauer Rd., Jenison, MI 49428)

For tickets, go to:  

Tickets are available through GoFan: https://gofan.co/app/school/MI3646

GO BEARS!!!!

P2 Word of the week-

Next week's word is: Gratitude. Here is the link to the page and the password is once again: P2.

P2 Family Link Page

Lunch next week-

11/22/21 – Chicken Tenders, Chicken Rice, Broccoli, fruit choice and milk  

11/23/21 – Rotini , meat/marinara sauce, breadstick, green beans, fruit

Quote of the week:

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-12-21

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thanks for your time yesterday! -

We want to thank the many parents who took part in the virtual conferences!  Remember it is always an option to email, call, etc. a teacher at any time that you think it is necessary!  We would also like to thank our wonderful UPTO for a tasty lunch for the staff!

National Honor Society Tutoring-

If your child plans to go to St. Joseph High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays, after school, they must come to the Upton Office early on those mornings to get an Academic Study Session form.  This must be filled out by a teacher and handed in at the High School media center each time your child attends tutoring.  Busing is provided to the High School for those students going to NHS Tutoring on the Pink Pig bus.

Starting this Wednesday, November 17th we will also offer tutoring after school in the Upton Media Center until 3:45 PM. Please email Mrs. Mulliner or Mrs. Schweir if you have any questions.

From the Desk of the Guidance Department-

Please click on this link to view the guidance department news:

Guidance Department Link

                 

Ski Club-

UPTON SKI AND SNOWBOARD CLUB SHIRT CONTEST!!!

What: Upton Ski and Snowboard Club Shirt Design Contest.

Directions: 

• Students may hand draw, paint, or utilize digital technology to design their shirt. Students may also utilize the shirt design software from some of the web-based shirt companies, but it is preferable to have an original design. 

• Designs should be done in no more than 2 colors and should take into consideration that they will be printed on different colored shirts (White, Blue, Alternative).

• The design should include the words Saint Joseph, SJ, St. Joe or Bears, Ski or Ski and Snowboard, and Club.

• Designs should leave room to have the option of putting your name on the back or sleeve.

Where to send your design?: To enter your design please take a photo or screenshot of the design and send it to ibrown@stjoebears.com. 

When?: ALL DESIGNS ARE DUE BY Thursday, November 18th, 2021. 

Voting: Voting will take place starting November 19th, 2021 through November 21st, 2021.

Shirts will be ordered and distributed before Winter Break

Running Club-

Run club will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school as long as weather allows. Students should have their rides ready for pickup at 4:00 and need to dress appropriately for the weather.  Contact Matt Maier for questions at mmaier@sjschools.org.

Interact Club is partnering with Mosaic CCDA-

Late Start Next Wednesday-

Next Wednesday, November 17th is a late start. School begins at 8:45 AM. The school opens and breakfast is available beginning at 8:15 AM.

Lunch this week-

We would like to remind everyone that breakfast and lunch are FREE again this year to every St Joseph Public School student.   Please try to remember to preorder your student’s lunches when they are going to participate in lunch.  This helps speed up the morning lunch count process.  You will be allowed to order the Friday before the next week using www.sendmoneytoschool.com.  

Due to the supply chain issues we are having with our vendors and food outages we will be providing a one week menu on our website and Principal blogs on the Friday before the next week.   This will alleviate us having to make constant changes to a monthly menu and keep you better informed.

11/15/21 – Boneless Chicken Wings, French Fries, Side Salad, fruit

11/16/21 – Hot Ham & Cheese, Cheesy Potatoes, fruit choice

11/17/21   - Hot Dog, Baked Chips, Baked Beans, fruit choice

11/18/21 –  Thanksgiving Meal - Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing Green Bean, Cranberry

11/19/21 –  Bosco Sticks, Dipping Sauce, Mixed Vegetables, fruit

The Hills are Alive... -

On Monday are students and staff will be going to SJHS in the afternoon to view a portion of The Sound of Music musical.  We are hopeful that many students will also want to see the full show next weekend.

Home Football Playoff Game Tonight- 

Please make sure you have a conversation about the home football game with your son/daughter that:

• They are respectful during the national anthem.
• They are sitting with you or the Upton Middle School student section.  Please no wandering around the stadium grounds.
• Dress for the elements.  It will be cold and possibly wet!

Go Bears!  Beat Parma Western!

Quote of the week-

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino