Mandarino Minutes for 9-2-21

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome Back! -

We want to welcome you back to the 2021-2022 school year!  The staff at Upton Middle School is ready for a wonderful year!   We so look forward to meeting and working with your child/children this Tuesday, September 7th!  Here is a quote to sum up our thoughts about this school year:  John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

School Day Starts/Ends-

Our school day begins at 7:45 AM and ends at 2:42 PM. On late starts school will begin at 8:45 AM. Breakfast is available each morning free of charge beginning at 7:15 AM.

Masks are required-

Masks are required during the school day inside the building in St. Joseph Public Schools. As you probably ready recently this is also was passed by the Berrien County Health Department for all schoolsin Berrien County. We will expect them to be on during class, passing time, etc.  Please help us by having this conversation with your daughter/son before the first day of school.

Pick up and Drop off procedures -

Please refer to the email Mr. Jeffers sent out this morning regarding morning drop off and afternoon pick up. The two graphics really describe the process really well. The biggest thing I want to stress is take your time and be watchful for "our kids".

Free Breakfast and Lunch again this school year -

We are pleased to inform you that St Joseph Public Schools will be participating in the Seamless Summer Option as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the School Year 2021-2022.The GREAT NEWS is that ALL students enrolled at our district can receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at NO CHARGE to your household each day. All menus are posted on our website.

To help assist in our production and parent planning we have implemented an online ordering system from www.sendmoneytoschool.com where meals can be ordered up to five days in advance at the Elementary Schools and Middle School.

We have a short Youtube video on the website to instruct on how to set up your Account.

Ala carte items will be available for purchase at Upton and St. Joseph High School. Students must have money in their food service accounts to purchase these items. Parents may put money in their student accounts online through www.sendmoneytoschool.com or send check/cash with the student.

Breakfast and Lunch are FREE to ALL but we still need your household to fill out and sign the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application (if applicable). Applications can be found online at www.lunchapp.com or a paper copy from your school. This information is critical in determining the amount of money that our

school receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs like Title I A, At-risk (31a), Title II A, E-Rate, etc.

If you have any questions please contact the Food Service Director, DemrhyYoungquist at 926-3127 or by email dyoungquist@sjschools.org

Medication Forms in the Office-

If your child needs to take any kind of medication (prescription, inhaler, epipen, etc.) during the school day, an Authorization to Administer Medication form must be completed by your doctor, along with the medication. Please stop by the office for a form.

Bus Routes -

If you have any questions about your bus stop, check out the routes/times listed on our website:

https://sjschools.org/about-upton-parents/transportation

Save the Date! -

First Upton PTO Board meeting - Thursday, September 23rd - 1 pm.

All are welcome and it will be live streamed on our FB page as well.

More information to come.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! -

The Upton PTO is extremely appreciative of your generosity!  This year we raised over $5,000 which will go directly to providing support to our Upton teachers, faculty, staff and students.  Our mission is to promote open and positive communication between parents and staff of Upton Middle School.  Our efforts as an organization serve to enhance and maximize the education of every student while helping them achieve their highest potential.

UPTO (Upton Parent Teacher Organization) Spirit Wear Sale-

The Bear Wear/Spirit Wear store is officially open!  Go to this link to place your order:

 Https://ums2021fall.orderpromos.com/

The online store will close on Sept. 12th.  Items are expected to be delivered to Upton in  approximately 4 weeks. We appreciate your support!  Go Bears!

Did your child forget something at home? -

If your son/daughter forgot an item we will have a table in the vestibule for you to set the item down at.  You will simply buzz in at the front door, the secretary will let you in, and you will set the item down on the table, and your child can check in at the office for the item.  We are limiting the visitors inside the building.

THANK YOU 8th Graders!-

A special thanks to our 8th grade volunteers who gave tours this week to our incoming 6th graders and new students!

 

Next week at Upton-

Monday, Sept. 6th - Labor Day, No school

Tuesday, Sept. 7th - 1st day of school

Wednesday, Sept. 8th - NO Late Start, school begins at 7:45am

Friday, Sept. 10th - Home high school football game vs. Portage Northern

Main Dish at Lunch next week-

Tuesday (7th)- Turkey Croissant

Wednesday (8th)- Cheese Quesadillia

Thursday (9th)- Mini Corn Dogs

Friday (10th)- Bosco Sticks

Quote of the week-

Enjoy your family over the holiday weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 6-11-21

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thanks for your support! -

The staff at Upton Middle School and I would like to thank you for your support through what was a very different and at times difficult/challenging school year.  However, I believe the students were very resilient, worked hard, and did a great job following all the new procedures and protocols that were thrown at them.  We appreciate your support as we navigated a very different school year!

Slam the door (In honor of Mr. Leonard) -

As you may already know Mr. Leonard slammed the door, welcomed his students, and began class where he taught bell to bell.  Today on our last day in our last class each teacher slammed their door before they began their last class of the school year.  Please enjoy!

Slam the door video clip

Virtual 8th grade Farewell -

• 8th Grade Farewell Recording

https://youtu.be/AN-KZVl39jY 

Summer Running/Cross Country -

As our school year is winding down I'm reminded that summer is the perfect time to start getting ready for the next cross country season.  The best teams and runners are those that put in miles during the summer months and get some good work in.  We have proven that to be the case the last few years with the miles we have logged during the summer.

Please read through this note for more information regarding next year's season.  

Also, consider logging your summer mileage.  You can do this with a simple runner's log print out, or go techy using a runner's app like Strava.  It's great to set goals and work towards them.  I would love for you to share with me the work you put in over the summer.

I will later share some dates and locations for some summer group runs.  It would be a great way to get together with some of your teammates and put in some work together.  More to come on that later.

 

Coach Maier

Congratulations from the UPTO -

Still want a yearbook? -

Extra Yearbooks are available in the Upton Office for $45.  Please make checks payable to: SJPS.

Box Factory summer program-

A summer program is being offered at the Box Factory specifically for tweens & teens to learn about the power of art journaling.

https://www.sparkignitelaunch.com/art-journaling-club-tweens-teens

Virtual students computer collection:  

June 14th from 1-3 PM at St. Joseph High School.  See the virtual blog for more information: 

https://stjoevirtualschool.blogspot.com/

Upton Summer Hours-

The office is open from 8am-3pm until Wednesday, June 23rd.  It will not reopen until mid-August.  If you need to reach Mr. Mandarino, please contact me by emailing at cmandarino@sjschools.org.

If you need to reach someone regarding enrollment after June 23rd, please contact our Central Office at 269-926-3100.

Community Corkboard - 

Check out the community corkboard for summer camps, summer reading programs, and much much more, on our district website:

https://sjschools.org/sjps-parents/community-cork-board-district

Work Permits for students-

Work permits are now located on our district website for students/parents/employers to print.  Print the form and complete the top section. The 2nd section is filled out by the employer.  Once both of those are completed, bring the form to the Upton office and we will fill in the bottom section.   Forms are located at:  https://sjschools.org/st-joseph-public-schools/our-district-business-office?start=1

Not returning to SJPS next year?-

If you are planning a move this summer, and not returning in the fall, please let the Upton office know right away, by either phone call (926-3400) or email to lkoetsier@sjschools.org.

Quote to end the year! -

Have a great summer,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 6-4-21

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Schedule Next Week-

- Monday and Tuesday are regular days.

- Wednesday through Friday are half days for Upton and St. Joseph High School, Upton hours: 7:45am-11:00am.

• Wednesday, June 9th -  Hours 1,2,3 (all one hour)

• Thursday, June 10th -  Hours 4,5,6 (all one hour)

• Friday, June 11th (last day) -  All hours for 30 minutes

Computer Turn-In Next Thursday -

Students will turn in their laptops and power cords next Thursday, June 10th. Whether 7th & 8th graders are purchasing them or not we need them all turned in on Thursday. They should bring it in their computer bag with the charger, and any personal items in the computer bag should be removed.

ROBOTICS -

St. Joe Robotics is now having sign-ups for the 2021-2022 seasons. Whether or not you were able to attend the Robotics Expo last weekend, check out the EXPO website with all of the pertinent information and the link to sign up. Teams are available for students in K-12th grade.

Please turn in Library Books-

Please help us by asking your daughter/son to turn in their library books. We still have around 25% of our students with at least one book not turned in. Have them look around their rooms! 😃

Boys & Girls Club Opportunity -

In partnership with the Benton Harbor Boys and Girls Club, a fantastic summer opportunity is available for our students currently enrolled in grades 4-7. Beginning June 21st and running through August 10th, the BHBGC will be offering programming to 50 of our SJPS students. The program will run from 12-5 pm @ Upton Middle School. Students will participate in fun activities in the areas of STEM, literacy, character building, and athletics. The cost of this program is $25 for the entire summer and includes lunch and snacks! To learn more about the program, please see this flyer. If you would like to register your child, here is the link to the registration form.  We also have registration forms in the Upton Office.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Corey Neeley, SJPS Site Director @ (269) 363-4725. We are looking forward to this partnership- our partnership with the BHBGC at the high school level has made a big impact with our students. 

From the desk of the UPTO -

Parents and Upton Staff,

 

The school year is almost over.  It’s time to take a deep breath.

 

You did it.  We did it.  Together.

 

We all got through an unbelievable year, a year that required all of us to show tremendous resilience and grace.

 

And to our teachers, there’s no question this was a difficult year for so many reasons.  But instead of focusing on how hard it was - let’s focus on the good YOU did:

 

• You rose up to the challenge and did it well

• Your students learned (even though it seemed at times they didn’t care or weren’t really present online)

• You supported one another through an extraordinary year of hardships and loss

• You found new ways to do what you do best - TEACH

• You taught your students that you can learn anywhere 

 

You should be proud of YOU.  We certainly are!

 

We hope you’ll take the summer to relax, unwind and care for yourselves.

 

Sincerely,

 

UPTO

Gone Any Days Next Week? -

If you plan to miss any days this week, please call the office at 269-926-3400 and leave a message on the attendance line.

8th going into 9th Grade Girls Swimming-

If your daughter is going into 9th grade and is interested in swimming, please send an email to Coach Janet Beemer at:

Jbeemer@sjschools.org

Upton Summer Football Opportunities -

What's for Lunch Next Week ? -

Monday - Turkey & provolone on croissant, baked chips, fruit/veggies

Tuesday - Cheese or pepperoni french bread pizza, fruit/veggies

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - No Lunch

Senior Parade Tonight -

Quote of the Week -

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino