Mandarino Minutes for 10-29-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,



End of the first quarter-
The first marking period comes to an end this Friday, November 2nd.  At the middle school and high school we do not print hard copies of report cards at the end of each quarter.  The grades that you see on PowerSchool on Monday, November 5th will reflect the grades from the marking period.

Parent-Teacher Conferences-
When:  Thursday, November 8th  12:30-4:00 PM and 5:30-8:30 PM
Where: St. Joseph High School Student Center
What:  A chance to talk to each teacher for about 5 minutes each.

We will also have a community resource fair in the hallway between middle school and high school conferences.  High School conferences are in the SJHS Field House.  Student dismissal on November 8th is 11:04 AM.

Great Spooktacluar Orchestra Concert

We had a wonderful 7th-12th grade orchestra concert last Thursday!  The students sounded wonderful and it was fun to see the progression of 7th grade through the high school orchestras.

Mrs. Cabanilla-Sinnett and 8th grader Aidan Tubb

Picture Retakes-

Picture retakes will take place a week from today on Monday, November 5th in the morning.  Students will bring their picture packets back with them and turn them into the picture company, Geskus.  This is also an opportunity for students who have not yet had their pictures taken for one reason or another to have it done.

Interested in Science Olympiad ?- 

If your daughter/son is interested in joining the science olympiad team at Upton, please follow this link:  Science Olympiad Interest Link   Upton Middle School has won regionals for 10 straight years!  Ms. Kietzerow and her wonderful group of mentors really work hard with their scientists!

Job opportunity at SJHS-

SJHS is searching for a candidate that would like to be our coordinator/check-in for the HS field house community hours. The job is Sunday-Thursday 6:15-8:45 PM at $10/hour. 

If you are interested, please reach out to Kevin Guzzo at: kguzzo@sjschools.org. 

Stuff a Truck-

From now until Wednesday, November 7th the Upton Student Council, The Builders Club, and The Interact Club are all working together to have a non-perishable food (boxed goods, canned goods, etc.) drive for our local residents who could use the support.  The sponsors around town are 97.5 Y Country radio station and Rogers Foodland.  Each homeroom has a box in it to collect the items.  Please consider donating an item or two.

Want to Donate Neck ties?-

Mrs. Gressley is looking for neck ties for her 7th grade reading classes.  If you have any neck ties that you no longer want, she would love to have them.  Your daughter/son could deliver them to Mrs. Gressley in room 209.

Bark in the Park 5K-9 Run/Walk-

The Interact Clubs of Upton Middle School and Lake Michigan Catholic Middle School and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan are excited to invite you to the First Annual Bark in the Park 5K-9 Fun Run/Walk!  The race will be held on Saturday, November 10.  The run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. at Riverview Park in St. Joseph.  Please click on the link for registration and more information:
First Annual Bark in the Park 5K-9 Fun Run/Walk Link

Two half days on November 8th and November 9th-

We will half days next week Thursday, November 8th and Friday, November 9th.  Dismissal will be at 11:04 AM both days.  On November 9th the whole school will have Career Day.  

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 10-22-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Upton Ski Club-
SJPS biggest club is the Upton Ski and Snowboarding Club.  It is open to all 6th -8th graders from not knowing how to ski/snowboard to experienced skiers/snowboarders.  Here are several links for more information:
UMS Ski Club Information and Expectations Link
UMS Ski Club Sign-Up Link
UMS Ski Club Payment Link
For more information please email Mr. Brown at Ibrown@sjschools.org

Spirit Week this week-
Today- Workout Day
Tuesday- Summer Tourist Day
Wednesday- Unity Day/Anti-bullying day - Please wear orange.
Thursday-  Pajama Day
Friday- Favorite Sports team day

Morning drop-off-
REMINDER: Please do not turn LEFT off of Maiden Ln. into the school during morning drop-off.  Cars headed West down Maiden Ln. should proceed to the back drop-off on Lincoln Ave.  If one car starts to do this, others will follow and we will end up with the same Maiden Ln. back-up that we have had in previous years.  Thank you!  If you have any questions regarding morning drop-off, please email Mr. Jeffers at Cjeffers@sjschools.org

End of Rotation 1/ Start of Rotation 2-
Today is the end of rotation 1 for 6th & 7th grade.  Tomorrow begins Rotation 2 for the students.  Students not done with a project must make arrangements with the teacher to finish.

Innovators/Coders Club-

The first Innovator’s Club meeting of this school year will take place tomorrow after school, Tuesday, October 23rd from 2:50-4:00 PM in the Upton Makerspace in the media center.  This club is open to all 6th-8th graders. If you like to tinker, to create, or just imagine what can be, this club is for you. It will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.  

Planetarium Community Night-
The planetarium community show is tomorrow evening (Tuesday, Oct. 23rd beginning at 6:30 PM.  This show is:  The Little Star That Could.  Here is the trailer for the show:  The Little Star That Could Trailer

8th grade field trips-
Just a reminder that the 8th grade field trips are this Tuesday and Thursday at the fish hatchery and water plant.  This is the kick-off to Salmon in the Classroom.  It is a fun and educational day.

Spooktacular Concert this Thursday-
Thursday, October 25th is the orchestra Spooktacular Concert at the John & Dede Auditorium at SJHS beginning at 7:00 PM.  It is always a fun concert, and often has some surprises! 

UPTO this Thursday-
The rescheduled PTO meeting will be this Thursday, October 25th in the Upton Conference room.  Please join us if your schedule allows.

Dungeons and Dragons this Wednesday-
This Wednesday afternoon from 2:50-4:00 PM will be the Dungeons and Dragons club meeting.  This club is open to all 6th-8th graders.

Keep the warm clothes coming-
The Women's Service League coat, scarf, gloves, mittens, boots drive is going well.  However we really could use more hats, gloves & mittens.  Please consider donations some gently used items if you can.

Upcoming Dates to remember-
October 24th- Late Start
October 31st- Late Start & Halloween (Costumes are allowed, but masks can't be worn during class time.)
November 2nd- End of the 1st Marking Period
November 8th- Conferences (Held at SJHS) - 1/2 day of school 
November 9th- Career Day 2018 - 1/2 day of school 
November 14th- Former Professional Athlete to speak to the students 

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 10-15-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Awesome Opportunity-
Did you see the Saturday Herald Palladium front page? :)  Some of Upton musicians had the opportunity to hear Ifetayo Ali-Landing play music, sing-along, and ask questions.  Ifetayo is a professional cellist who is only 16 years old, and she is a phenomenal talent!  We would like to thank Mr. Lokey for making this possible!

6th grader Braden Miesse and Ifetayo Ali-Landing

Coat Drive-
The Women's Service League is once again sponsoring a very worthy cause, Operation Coats 2018.  Gently used winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, or a donation would be appreciated.  Here is a link for more information:  Operation Coats 2018 pdf

Coder/Innovator Club-
The first Coder/Innovator Club meeting of the school year will take place next Tuesday, October 23rd from 2:50-4:00 PM in the Upton Makers room off of the media center.  This club is open to all 6th-8th graders.  It will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.  

Choir Concert-
Last Thursday was a wonderful choir concert put on by our 6th-8th grade choirs.  The students sounded really good and really seemed to be having a great time doing so.

UPTO-
We have a UPTO meeting this Thursday at 12:00 PM in the Upton Conference room. This is open to any Upton parent/guardian.

Late Start this Wednesday-
The district has a late-start this Wednesday, October 17th.  Buses run one hour later, and breakfast is available at 8:15 AM.

Orchestra Concert next week-
Next Thursday, October 25th is the orchestra "Spooktacular" at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS beginning at 7:00 PM.  This is always a fun concert! 

End of the 7-week rotation-
The end of the 7-week rotation will be next Monday, October 22nd.  6th & 7th graders will move on to their 2nd rotation on Tuesday, October 23rd.  Students with project-based classes may have to work before school, after school, or during GO time to complete their project.

Chess Club-
Chess club will meet this Thursday, October 18th until 4:45 PM in Mrs. Walsworth's room (219).  This is open to all students and all ability levels.

Careful driving-
As the weather starts to get worse the amount of parent drop-offs increase at Upton Middle School.  Please remember to take your time, never pass another car on the left or right, and stress to your daughter/son to get out on the curb side whenever possible.  We really want to make sure that everyone arrives and leaves carefully.

Quote of the week-
"You can control two things: your work ethic and your attitude about anything." - Ali Krieger

Have a great week, 
Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 10-8-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,


UpStream Club today-
The UpStream club meets today from 2:45-4:00 PM in Ms. Kietzerow's room (room 212).  If your son/daughter can't make tonight's meeting they can join at any time.  This club does stream studies, science exploration, etc.  For more information, please contact Dr. Ann St. Amand at algaewiz@hotmail.com

Builders Club-
The first Builders Club first meeting of the year is this Wednesday, October 10th from 2:50-3:30 PM in the Foods room (Room 309).  This club is open to all 6th-8th graders.  It is a service-oriented club.  Last year they visited the nursing home, made care packages for the troops, did a beach sweep, teacher appreciation acts of kindness, etc.  If your daughter/son is interested, please have them give it a try.  Mrs. Hunnell is the club sponsor.

Choir Concert-
The first choir concert of the year is this Thursday, October 11th beginning at 7:00 PM at the John & Dede Auditorium at SJHS.  It should be a great concert!

Coders Club-
The Upton Coders Club begins Tuesday, October 23rd in the media center from 2:50-4:00 PM.  This club is open to any 6th-8th grader interested in computer coding.  No experience is necessary.

Two Great Causes-






Late Start this Wednesday-
The district will have a late start this Wednesday, October 10th.
The district will also have late starts on Oct. 17th, Oct. 24th, and Oct. 31st.  Buses will run one hour later, and breakfast will be available beginning at 8:15 AM.

Dates in the Future-
October 23rd-  Planetarium Community Night 6:30 PM
October 25th- Spooktacular Orchestra Concert 7:00 PM
Oct. 27th & 28th- Orchestra All-State Auditions at UMS

Community Cork board-
Please be sure to check the SJPS community cork board from time to time.  Here is the link:  https://www.sjschools.org/sjps-parents/community-cork-board-district

Friday is a Maize and Blue Spirt Day-
This Friday, October 12th is a district Maize and Blue day for 
homecoming week.  Students and staff are encouraged to wear their maize and blue to school.  

Quote of the week-

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino