Monday, December 17, 2018

Mandarino Minutes for 12-17-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,



Great concert last week-
We would like to congratulate our Upton bands for a wonderful concert last week at St. Joseph High School!  Our kids performed well and the progression right through high school was amazing.  Great job to Mr. Engleman, Mrs. Cabanilla-Sinnett, and our A.I.R.'s for their hard work with the students!




Concert tomorrow evening-
Tomorrow evening, Tuesday, December 18th beginning at 7:00 PM will be the middle school choirs & 7th/8th grade orchestras performing at the John & Dede Auditorium at SJHS.  It will be another great concert!



7th & 8th grade basketball meeting-
Tomorrow morning (Tuesday, December 18th) will be a 7th & 8th grade girls basketball meeting in the Maize Gym beginning at 7:30 AM for student-athletes only.




D.A.R. Essay Contest-
Recently three 8th grade girls entered the Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest they are :  Morgan Hanks, Grace LaFayette, and Caitlin Sullivan.  Of all the middle schools in the area Grace LaFayette was picked as the winner!  Her essay will now go on to the state competition.  We applaud all three ladies for their participation and wish Grace luck for the state competition!
Left to Right:  Pat Hill (DAR Rep), Mr. Mandarino, Caitlin Sullivan, Morgan Hanks, Mrs. Walsworth (ELA teacher for all three ladies), Grace LaFayette (Contest Winner), and Sylvia Fagal (DAR Rep and Essay Coordinator) 





Thanks for giving and ...-
We would like to thank all the families who have contributed to our giving tree, Toys for Tots, and sock/toiletry drive (this ends Wednesday, December 19th) so far.  It is not too late to contribute if you can lend a hand this holiday season.  On the giving tree we still have:
   -  Male pants waist size 30
   -  Male underwear size small
   -  Male shirts size small (2 of these)
   -  Male winter coat size small
   -  Male basketball shoes size 11
   -  Basketball
   - Wrestling toys
   -  Save-A-Lot Gift card



Interact Club Doing Great Things! -
25 Interact Club members spent time with three 1st grade classes at Countryside Academy/Millburg Early Learning Center last Friday after school.  This event has been an ongoing effort to promote literacy, STEM, and social mentoring by the Interact Club.  The students were dressed holiday festive and passed out candy canes to all the first graders. 
Interact students with Countryside Students



Unplug-
Every year at the break I always encourage parents to have your daughter/son unplug as much as possible.  Less computer time and more family time, less phone time and more time with friends, less time on video games and more outdoor activities, etc.  Two weeks away from their devices is healthy!  This is my two cents editorial. 😄



Minecraft for Education-
Please click on this link to find out information on the latest educational tool that SJPS students have access to:  Minecraft for Education Parent Letter




Two successful lockdown drills so far this year-
We have had two very well run lockdown drills this school year so far.  Our staff works with students to make sure they know what to do in the case of an outside/inside intruder, and during class or a passing time.  The local authorities observe these and give feedback on improvement.  




Student Council this Wednesday-
Student council will be meeting Wednesday after school until 3:45 to assemble candy canes in Mrs. Hubble's room. We need as many hands as possible so all members should try to attend.




Spirit Days Continue at Upton-



Quote of the week-
"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family." - Lee Iacocca




Have a wonderful break with your family,
Mr. Mandarino





Monday, December 10, 2018

Mandarino Minutes for 12-10-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,



6th grade "Informance" was wonderful-
The sixth graders did a wonderful job in their first concert of their playing career!  The growth was fun to view, and it really looked the students were enjoying the performance.




Upton Students and Parents are so Giving-
We have many giving opportunities for those less fortunate this holiday season.  We have adopted two of our families at Upton with a giving tree.  The tree is in our office with tags on it.  Here is a list of some of the things on the tags:  Families we are sponsoring pdf
If your family feels you can contribute please take a tag and bring the item into the office.  CeCi Ruchti and Margaret Cox have taken this project under their wings to guide this!
Margaret Cox
CeCi Ruchti






Other giving opportunities-
Our students earlier in the school year heard motivational speaker, Mike Smith, speak to them about pursuing your dreams.  As your son/daughter told you it was a marvelous talk.  Mike has a nonprofit group called Skate for change.  Here is a link to that site to hear more information:  Skate for Change website  As a school we are collecting socks and toiletries (Toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.) to make a difference.  Our Builders Club is in competition with the high school Key Club.



Toys for Tots also have boxes in our building for their drive.  These toys will stay locally for kids in this area.



Band Concert this Wednesday-
This Wednesday evening at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS beginning at 7:00 PM is the Middle School & High School Band concert.  It will feature all bands 6th-12th grades.  It is great way to get you in the holiday spirit.




Choir & Orchestra Concert next week-
Speaking of concerts, the middle school choir & orchestra concert will take place next week on Tuesday, December 18th at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS beginning at 7:00 PM.  Three weeks in a row of great entertainment!





Lost and Found-
Our lost & found has several items in it.  If your daughter/son has lost something, please encourage them to take a look.  It is located in the room near the cafeteria (the students know where it is).




Holiday Luncheon this Thursday-
Just another reminder that the holiday luncheon is this Thursday during all lunches.  UPTO parents along with Mr. Jeffers and I will serve the students at lunch.  It will feature: sliced ham/turkey, potatoes & gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, homemade cake, etc.




Honor Credit Union winner for November-
6th grader, Jaslynn Ward, was the Honor Credit Union winner of the month.  All students who make a deposit in that month are entered to win.  Jaslynn won a gift basket and a $25 Visa gift card.
Jaslynn Ward





Thanks for your support of the Book Fair-
The Upton Media Center and Mrs. Burnette would like to thank you for your support of the book fair.  All proceeds go to add to the collection at Upton.  





Community Corkboard-
Have you looked at our district community corkboard lately?  Here is the link to the site:  SJPS Community Corkboard




Late start this week-
SJPS has a late start this Wednesday, December 12th.  Breakfast will be available at 8:15 AM.  School begins at 8:45 AM.

The district does not have a late start next Wednesday, December 19th.



Please do not message from ...-
Please do not message your daughter/son's teachers through their personal itsLearning account.  That is the avenue for students to communicate with their teachers.  The proper way is to email or through a parent itsLearning account.  


Students were well behaved-
Often we hear about about when something doesn't go well, but I wanted to report that our 7th & 8th graders were very well behaved at the dance on Friday evening.  The students seemed to enjoy the dance and just being with their friends!  Parenting is a huge part of our students great behavior.  They say, "Apples don't fall far from trees."

Quote of the week-

From Maya Angelou:



Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino

Monday, December 3, 2018

Mandarino Minutes for 12-3-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,



6th grade orchestra "informance"-
The sixth grade orchestra "informance" will take place tomorrow evening, December 4th in the Blue Gym at Upton Middle School.  The concert itself will begin at 7:00 PM.  It will kick off our holiday concerts!



Guidance Blog-
Have you read the guidance blog lately to see all the great things our ladies do for our students?  Here is the link to their page:  Upton Guidance Blog Homepage  It talks about presentations to students, themes for the month, coming events, etc.



College Athletes opportunity-
Does your daughter/son have aspirations of someday playing a collegiate sport? You will not want to miss this free opportunity to hear Jack Renkens, a college recruiting guru speak about the truths and myths of collegiate recruiting on Wednesday, December 5th at 7:00 PM in the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS.  
Click here for more information:  Recruiting Realities pdf


7th grade vision screening-
The Berrien County health department will be doing vision screening this Friday, December 7th for all 7th graders and new 8th graders to the district.  A half-sheet form will be coming home today or tomorrow with your daughter/son to fill out and bring in Friday.


JoeBots-
The Joe Bots wrapped up their on-season on Saturday at the Coloma Sunset Coast Splash qualifying event.  All three Upton Robotics teams finished in the top 10! Two of our teams made alliance selection!  The ranking is out of 36 teams.  The Joe Bots will begin off-season activities in January. Thank you everyone for your support!

Team #8513 was alliance #3 captain
Rank #4 with a record of 4-1-0

Team #11855 was selected for the #4 alliance.
Rank #9 with a record of 4-1-0 
   
Team #13702 finished ranked #7
Rank #7 with a record of 4-1-0





7th & 8th grade dance-
This Friday, December 7th is a 7th & 8th grade dance only.  The dance will go from 5:30-7:30 PM.  A concession stand will be available.  The dance is dress-up optional.  We will offer a dance in the Spring for 6th graders.  We still need chaperones for this dance.  If you can help out please email Cindy Igoe at   cindyigoe@yahoo.com  or Jill Hubble at jhubble@sjschools.org



Holiday Band Concert-
The middle & high school band concert will take place next Wednesday, December 12th at 7:00 PM in the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS.  It will feature the bands 6th-12th grades.



Holiday Luncheon-
We will have a very nice luncheon next Thursday, December 13th at all the lunch periods.  The menu will include: Sliced turkey or ham, corn, mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potatoes, roll, cake, and drink.  It is the same price as our regular school lunch- $2.90.




Choir & Orchestra Concert-
The middle school choirs and 7th & 8th grade orchestras will have a concert on Tuesday, December 18th at 7:00 PM in the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS.  



Inter act Club Fundraiser-
The Interact club is running a fundraiser tomorrow evening, Tuesday, December 4th from 5:00-8:00 PM at Culvers.  Please click here to view the details: Interact Scoopie Night at Culver's








Quote of the week-
 In honor of our 41st president George H.W. Bush here is the quote of the week:
"The America Dream means giving it your all, trying your hardest, accomplishing something. And then I'd add to that, giving something back.  No definition of a successful life can do anything but include serving others." - George H.W. Bush


Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino


Mandarino Minutes for 6-9-23

  Dear Upton Middle School Families, Thanks! - We thank you for sharing your daughter/son with us this school year!  We also appreciate your...