Monday, January 28, 2019

Mandarino Minutes for 1-28-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,




When we Return...-
We hope that everyone is staying warm and safe!  When we return to school we will have the 5th & 6th hour exams.  The weather has allowed a lot of time to study for them. 😀⛄  We will have a full day of school with each class meeting after for about 28 minutes each. 



National Kindness Week-
Great Kindness Challenge is a proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement. The Great Kindness Challenge is one week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible.  Our school is participating this week, 1/28/19- 2/3/19. Although, we have done various things throughout the whole school year to promote and live out these qualities as well. Overall, we have very kind students at UMS!


Kindness promotes empathy and compassion; which in turn, leads to a sense of interconnectedness with others. When we practice random acts of kindness, It releases an energy. We feel better and the recipients of our acts feel better, which then makes them more likely to be kind to other people.


We will be giving every student a piece of paper  where they will list kind deeds they will do and then have an adult sign off on when complete.  The counselors will also be present at lunch this week to play a fun dice game with those that choose to participate. The cards will be turned into the office upon completion and entered into a raffle. The cards will be drawn and winners announced.


Please talk to your child about this and help support them in their endeavors.




National History Day Winners-
The social studies department wants to thank all of our students for a job well done and the hard work put into their projects!  Here are the results for the students that will advance to Western Michigan University:

Individual exhibit
Haley Shears
Margaret Cox
Maren Barfuss

Individual Website
Aseem Singh
Aaron Teng
Sam Hosbein

Individual Documentary 
Asher Harrmann 
Brooke Hartman
Eliza Kuhlman

Individual Paper
Rhys Conybeare
Alex Biggins
Braden Miesse 

Individual Performance 
Clara Berry
Maddie Ugalde 

Group Performance
Phoenix Izokaitis 
David Rojas

Group Website
Joseph Hawkins & Robby Cleveland
Ava Risser & Bridget Confer
Emma Teng & Jintong He

Group Documentary 
Pedro Czesnat & Thomas Weykamp
Grace Rommel & Emily Veine

Group Exhibit
Bridget Nuter & Lanie Smith
Phoebe Champion & Andrew Ferrell
Ginny Weykamp & Nick Pierangeli



Honor Credit Union-
8th grader, Brandon Wilder, was the Honor Credit Union winner of the month in December.  All students who make a deposit in that month are eligible and entered to win a gift basket.  Brandon was the December winner.
Brandon Wilder




8th grade Parent & Student Night at SJHS-
Just another reminder that a week from today, next Monday, February 4th at 6:00 PM in the John & Dede Auditorium at SJHS is the student & parent scheduling meeting.  This meeting is very important for all to attend.




Common Sense Media Article of the Week-
This was an article that was written a few months back, but it talks about tips for decreasing phone time.  Article link: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/use-your-phone-less-with-tools-from-apple-google-snapchat-and-more




Quote of the week-
"You can be rich in spirit, kindness, love and all those things that you can't put a dollar sign on. " - Dolly Parton




Have a nice and safe week,
Mr. Mandarino

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Mandarino Minutes for 1-22-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,



A Look At This Week-
Tuesday is review day and is a whole day.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are 1/2 days with dismissal time being 11:04 AM.
Wednesday, January 23rd- 1st and 2nd hour exams
Thursday, January 24th- 3rd and 4th hour exams
Friday, January 25th- 5th and 6th hour exams




Test Anxiety and Our Guidance Department-
During the last 2 weeks, the Guidance Department has come into many of the classes to help students understand anxiety & practice a relaxation technique.  This session we focused on mindful breathing and used the Stop, Think & Breathe app. We discussed that breathing is a quick way to access information stored in their working memory and help their 'thinking' and 'feeling' brain communicate. The students did a nice job practicing this technique and hopefully will continue to utilize the skill.  

As we go into exam week, we thought it might be helpful for you as parents to be able to reference some test-taking tips.  Here is a great website for not just students, but also parents:  https://www.testtakingtips.com






Ski Club tomorrow (Wed., Jan. 23rd)-
Ski & snowboarding club will go from 11:30-5:30 tomorrow Wednesday, January 23rd so that students can get back to study.



8th grade parents and students meeting-

INFORMATIONAL SCHEDULING MEETING for 8th Grade Students & Their Parents who plan to attend St. Joseph High School Fall 2019


WHEN: Monday, February 4, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: John & Dede Howard Auditorium @ St. Joseph High School
WHY: *Receive 2019-20 Scheduling Materials
*Learn about the High School Scheduling Process
*Meet Department Representatives
*Tour the High School




Special Screening for Parents-

Parents of K-12 students - Please join us Feb 11th from 6:30 pm -8:30 pm in the John and Dede auditorium at SJHS for a viewing of Screenagers. Screenagers is an award-winning film that depicts the challenging struggles that families have over social media, video games and academics. The film offers solutions on how we can help our kids navigate the digital world. After viewing the film, we have a county expert, Joe Rommel, who will give additional updates on current social media trends and suggestions for parents on setting boundaries with their students’ social media use.

Refreshments will be available, along with free childcare offered by SJHS National Honor Society student group. Childcare is available for toddler through elementary school age children.





Common Sense Media-
Mrs. Cardon mentioned this site in a recent message to parents.  It is filled with great resources (movie reviews, book lists, apps & games, advice for parents, etc.).  Here is a recent article I read about the science behind tech obsessions:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/the-sneaky-science-behind-your-kids-tech-obsessions





Upton Variety Show-
Congratulations to all our participants in the 2019 Upton variety show!  It promises to be another great show!  The date is Saturday, March 23rd at 6:30 PM at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at St. Joseph High School.



Community Corkboard-
Have you took a look at the community corkboard lately?  You will find something there about lacrosse, teen book club, baseball & softball, and more.  Click here:  SJPS Community Corkboard



Quote of the week-  



Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino

Monday, January 14, 2019

Mandarino Minutes for 1-14-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Drive-
From the Interact Club of Upton Middle School:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others? ” Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the MLK Day National Day of Service to serve their neighbors and communities. Join our students on this day by helping fight food insecurity through our food drive sponsored by the Upton Middle School Interact Club. The drive will take place this week from January 14 to the 18 and all food can be dropped at the boxes located at the front office. We are partnering with United Way of Southwest Michigan to provide shelf stable food items for The Soup Kitchen of Benton Harbor. Items needed: canned vegetables & fruit, salad dressing & mayo, rice & pasta, oatmeal, coffee creamer (powder), sugar/sweetener, teabags, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken), canned beans, dried beans, canned soups & stews, peanut butter, nuts, canned chili. (Large cans and bulk items can be bought at Gordon Food Service, Costco, or Sam's Club.)





2nd marking period ends this Friday-
This Friday, January 18th is the end of the second marking period.  Each marking period makes up 45% of a semester grade.



No School Next week Monday in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-
We will not have school next Monday, January 21st in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, jr.




Late Start this Wednesday-
The district has a late start this Wednesday, January 16th.  




Exam Week-
Next week is exam week 6th -12th grades in St. Joseph Public Schools.  Here is the schedule:
Tuesday, January 22nd - Review Day
Wednesday, January 23rd -  1st and 2nd hour exams
Thursday, January 24th- 3rd and 4th hour exams
Friday, January 25th- 5th and 6th hour exams
Wednesday-Friday the dismissal time is 11:04 A.M.





School Board Meeting tonight-
The school board meeting for January is this evening at 6:00 PM at our central office on Lincoln Avenue.




8th to 9th grade scheduling meeting for students and parents-
Informational Scheduling Meeting for 8th Grade Students & Their Parents 
who plan to attend
St. Joseph High School Fall 2019

Monday, February 4, 2019
6:00pm
John & Dede Howard Auditorium at St. Joseph High School
*** A change from the original calendar date***


Quote of the week-


Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino

Monday, January 7, 2019

Mandarino Minutes for 1-7-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome Back-
I hope you had a great break with your family!  It was a wonderful time to get recharged.  I also hope you daughter/son got a chance to unplug a bit.


Sock Drive-
Thanks to all who contributed to the sock drive/toiletry drive - your donations will definitely be appreciated!!  In total, Upton will be donating 763 items (382 pairs of socks & 381 toiletries)!  Thanks to Builders Club for facilitating!  With the HS's donations of 451 pairs of socks, the SJ schools will be able to donate over 1,200 items to those in need!!  







Giving Tree-
Two Upton families had a great holiday season thanks to the generosity of many students, families, and staff at Upton.  We would really like to thank Margaret Cox and CeCi Ruchti for their organization, administration, and making sure everything went smooth!


Two weeks left in the marking period-
The 2nd marking period ends on Friday, January 18th.  


Exam Schedule-
Semester exams will happen January 23rd-January 25th.  
Each day the students will take two exams.  The exams are 10% of the students semester grade.  Semester grades are calculated as 45% 1st marking period grade, 45% 2nd marking period grade, and 10% semester exam.  Here is the schedule:
January 23rd-  1st and 2nd hour exams
January 24th- 3rd and 4th hour exams
January 25th- 5th and 6th hour exams
Each day of exams dismissal is at 11:04 AM.


No Late Start this week-
The district will not have a late start this Wednesday, January 9th.  Next week January 16th will be the next late start.


Chess Club returns this Thursday-
Chess club is this Thursday, January 10th after school in Mrs. Walsworth's room (room 219).  All levels and abilities welcome.



Quote of the week-
"And now we welcome the new year.  Full of things that have never been." - Ranier Maria Rilke


Happy New Year,
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...