Mandarino Minutes for 10-28-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Spirit Week This Week-

Today-  Tie Dye vs. Neon Day

Tuesday-  Pajama Day

Wednesday- Biker vs. Hawaiian Day

Thursday- Halloween Costume

Friday- Favorite Sports Team

UPTO Sponsored Yoga Club Starts tomorrow-

Beginning tomorrow Tuesday, October 29th from 3:00-4:00 is the first ever Upton Yoga Club.  Signup is in the office or on itsLearning.  This club is sponsored by our UPTO.

Wonderful Concert last Wednesday-

If you were at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium last Wednesday I think you will agree that it was a wonderful concert!  All choirs 6th -12th grade sang really beautifully!

The 6th-12th grade choirs

Upton Cub Dance Club-

The first ever Upton Cub Dance Club starts this Friday, November 1st.  This club is open to 6th- 8th graders and information is in the office.

Conferences and half days next week-

Parent teacher conferences will be at St. Joseph High School in the Student Center next Thursday, November 7th.  The time frame is 12:30-4:00 PM and 5:30-8:30 PM.  You have a few minutes to visit with each teacher.  If more that a few minutes are needed you would schedule another time for further discussion.  Conferences are on Thursday only.  

Dismissal on Thursday, November 7th and Friday, November 8th will be 11:00 AM.

Boxtops for the BOP-

Boxtops are collected in the band & orchestra classrooms or the Upton office.  Boxtop rewards pay for instrument repair, music, etc.

Late Start this Wednesday-

This Wednesday is a late start.  Buses will run one hour later and breakfast at Upton is served at 8:15 AM.  School begins at 8:45.

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 10-21-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,


End of the 1st Rotation-
Today is the last day of rotation 1 for 6th & 7th graders.  Rotation 2 starts tomorrow, Tuesday, October 22nd.  

No tutoring at Upton on Wednesday-
We will not have after school tutoring this Wednesday, October 23rd at Upton Middle School in the media center.  Tutoring in the media center on Wednesdays will restart on Wednesday, October 30th.  Tutoring will still be available at SJHS on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

8th graders in Science this week-
Just a reminder that the 8th grade science classes will be going to the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery and the SJ water plan this week.  
Tues., October 22nd-  Mrs. Milletics and Mrs. MacKellar
Fri., October 25th-  Mrs. Francis and Mrs. Foster

Choir Concert-
The middle school and high school choir concert is this Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00 PM in the the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS.  It will be a great concert!

Middle School Football at Dickinson Stadium-
Our middle school football teams will end their season with games at Dickinson Stadium tomorrow evening.  

7th grade will start at 4:30 PM

8th grade will start at approximately 6:00 PM

"Socktober" and Toiletry Drive Continues-
Builders Club is hosting a sock and toiletry drive in honor of Mike Smith's passion for the homeless.  Each 1st hour class has  a collection box in  their room.  The 1st hour with the most donated items will win a doughnut party.  We will collect the boxes after school Wednesday, Nov. 6th to end the drive.  

Operation Winter Coats-
We are still collecting winter items for the Women's Service League.  Coats, scarves, mittens, snow-pants, etc. All winter items will stay in Southwest Michigan.  We have a dropbox in the Upton office.

Science Olympiad Signups-
Signups are accepted until Oct. 31.  The Science Olympiad team is a competitive team and we will compete at the Regional Competition at Lake Michigan College on March 3, 2020.  If we place in the top two, we will compete at the State Competition on Saturday, April 25, 2020.  

If your child is interested or you have questions, have them email Ms. Kietzerow at kkietzerow@stjoebears.com and she will forward the link to them.  

6th grade Boys Basketball-
St. Joe 3rd – 6th grade boys interested in the Little Bear Basketball League are encouraged to register on-line by going to www.sjschools.org and clicking on the community cork board or register in person before the Sunday, October 27th player/coach clinic from 2-4pm in the SJHS field house gym.  The Little Bear League will run from October 27th to December 20th and has a cost of $55 per player.  Further questions can be directed to Gregg Schaffer at 926-3258 by phone or gschaffer@sjschools.org by e-mail.

Girls Competitive Cheer-
All girls in grades 6-12 who are interested in competitive cheer should attend an info meeting with their parents on October 29, 6:00pm at St. Joe HS. All skill levels are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact coach Brittany at bhausman@sjschools.org 

Late Starts-

We will have a late start this Wednesday, October 23rd and next Wednesday, October 30th. Bus routes run one hour later and breakfast is available beginning at 8:15 AM.

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 10-14-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Please be careful-
With the daylight hours decreasing we have very dark bus stops and parking lots.  Two items we would like to emphasize:

1. Please talk with your daughter/son about staying off the roads as much as possible at the bus stops.  We have heard about kids being very close to white lines on the road at bus stops.  
2. Please use caution when dropping off in the morning.  Please follow the procedures and take your time in our parking lot at morning drop-off.  We have had a few reports of parents speeding through the parking lot.  Student safety is always everyone's job.

From the Sheriff's Department-
With the recent car break-ins in Royalton Township the Sheriff's department asked that we share a few informational pdf's with you.
6 theft and break-in safety tips pdf
Lock It or Lose It pdf

Successful Cross Country Season-
Ms. V and Mr. Maier would like to thank the runners and parents for a great cross country season!  The runners were hardworking and dedicated!  The kids won almost every competition they competed in, but most importantly they improved their personal best times and learned self-discipline.  

Digital Citizenship Week-
This week across the nation is digital citizenship week.  We will focus each day on a different topic in our extended 1st hour on various topics such as:  thinking before you post something, digital drama, balance of time spent the phone, etc.  This is something that you can talk about as well.  Here is a great resource if you are not already a regular follower of this site:  Common Sense Media website

"Socktober"-
Starting this Thursday, October 17th running through Wednesday, November 6th will be our second annual "socktober" new socks and toiletry drive at Upton Middle School sponsored by our Builders Club.  These socks will go to the homeless.  The toiletries (deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) will be given to local safe shelters and a mens' center. 

Guidance Blog-

Have you checked out the guidance blog this school year?  This blog spot has information on what they can help with, subjects of their GO Time sessions, some of our support groups, etc. If not take just a few minutes to take a look  at:              https://umsguidance.weebly.com/

UPTO-
Our 2nd UPTO meeting of the school year will take place this Thursday, October 17th at 12:00 PM in the Upton conference room.  We would love for you to join us!

Wow and Thanks-
The UMS Interact club sponsored a Halloween costume drive and the results were overwhelming!  The costumes will benefit many kids in Berrien County who otherwise would not have had a costume.  Thank you for your support!

Fish Hatchery and Water Plant for 8th graders-
Next week our 8th graders will be heading to the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery and the SJ water plant to kickoff their year long Salmon in the Classroom project.  Upton Middle School has partnered with the DNR and the local Southwest Michigan Steelhead Fishermen's Association.  Mrs. Mackellar and Mrs. Milletic's 8th grade science classes will be attending next Tuesday, October 22nd and Mrs. Francis and Mrs. Foster's 8th grade classes on Friday, October 25th.

Any parent planning to chaperone has to have a volunteer background check form on file.  If you have not filled one out this school year, please stop by the office to fill one out.  This needs to be done by this Wednesday, October 16th in order to participate next week.

Student Calls from the Office-
Please add (269) 926-3407 to your phone as a contact for Upton Middle School.  This is the line your child will call from in the office if they are sick or needing to get a hold of you.  If you add this number to your phone as a contact, the call will NOT show up as unavailable.  

Clubs at UMS Link-
Take a few minutes to see all the clubs UMS has to offer.  It is not too late to join a club.  We have something for everyone!

UMS Clubs Offered

Planetarium Community Night-
Tomorrow evening, Tuesday, October 15th at 6:30 PM will be a free community night planetarium show at Upton Middle School.  It is a Magic School Bus show that elementary age kids would love. (Adults would as well!)

UMS & SJHS Choir Concert next week-
Next Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00 PM in the John & Dede Auditorium at SJHS will be the first choir concert of the school year.  The students have been working hard and can't wait to perform for their family and friends.

Upton 7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball Sign-Up Meeting Announcement-

7th and 8th grade boys interested in trying out for Upton's basketball teams on October 25th should attend the (players only) sign-up meeting in Upton's Blue Gym at 8:30am on Wednesday, October 16th. Information and forms needed to try out will be shared at the meeting.

Girls Competitive Cheer Announcement-
All girls in grades 6-12 who are interested in competitive cheer should attend an info meeting with their parents on October 29, 6:00pm at St. Joe HS. All skill levels are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact coach Brittany at bhausman@sjschools.org 

Give2akid.com-
Please see the attached pdf for a great cause and consider making a donation of a gently used toy, sports equipment, musical instruments, etc. this Saturday downtown St. Joseph: 
Give2akid pdf

Late Starts-
We will have late starts every Wednesday in October.  Bus routes run one hour later and breakfast will be available starting at 8:15 AM.

A Career Day opportunity tomorrow-

Interact Career Day at SJHS PDF

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 10-7-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,




Pre-approved absence for 3 or more days absent-
A pre-arranged absence form is required for a student that knows that they will be gone three or more consecutive days.  This form is obtained in the Upton office.  The form explains the whole process of how a parent notifies the office and the student responsibilities.  For example:  How school work is due upon return/or in advance of their absence.

Lunch flip-flop-
We are switching the Tuesday and Friday menu this week, so tomorrow will be Bosco sticks and Friday will be French bread pizza.  We have also announced this to the students.

Lunch this week:
Monday-  Chicken Sandwich or Chicken Wings
Tuesday-  Bosco sticks
Wednesday-  Rotini Pasta with Meat or Alfredo Sauce
Thursday-  Soft shell tacos or walking tacos
Friday-  French Bread Pizza- Pepperoni or Cheese

Tutoring-
Tutoring at SJHS Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-4:00.  Obtain a pass from the office to ride the Pink Pig bus to the high school.
Tutoring at Upton Middle School on Wednesdays from 2:45-3:45
All tutoring is free and open to all grade levels in all subjects with the exception of French on Wednesdays.

Planetarium Community Night-
Next Tuesday, October 15th will be a free community planetarium night at the Upton Middle School Planetarium beginning at 6:30 PM.  It is a brand new show from the Magic School Bus.  Mrs. Francis will also show you what the Fall sky looks like this time of year.

Cub Dance Club-
Another brand new club is coming to Upton Middle School and it is called the Cub Dance Club.  It is open to 6th-8th graders.  Signups for those interested will be this week through Friday, October 11th.  Students may sign-up in the office.

Operation Coats-
Each October Upton Middle School helps Women's Service League collect gently used winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, snow-pants, etc.  These items go out to men, women, and children in need right here in Berrien County.  We have a dropbox here in the Upton office for those who like to donate.  Thanks for considering a donation!

Deliveries to Students-
The "Student Drop Off" table in the office has moved! The table now sits next to the door as you enter the office.  Please place your child's forgotten item on the table, take a blue form from the basket on the table, fill it out with your students info and we will get the forgotten item to your child.  Also, if you could have a plan set in place with your student, so if they have forgotten something, for them to keep in mind that you might have already dropped it off, therefore have them check the table between classes.  We are trying to eliminate classroom interruptions.

Community Cork Board-
Many things are happening in Southwest Michigan and the SJPS community cork board is one place to find some of these activities. Places like the St. Joseph library and the Krasl Art Center often have activities. Please click on this link to see the events:  

SJPS Community Corkboard Link

Full Buses Not Accepting Bus Passes-
The following buses are at capacity and can't accept bus passes for friends to ride with classmates:
Bus #1- The Gray Dolphin
Bus #5- The Pink Pig
Bus #9- The Brown Owl

UPTO Meeting-
Our next UPTO meeting will be Thursday, October 17th at noon in the Upton conference room.  Please join us if your schedule allows.

Late Starts-
We will have late starts every Wednesday in October K-12th grades.  Bus routes run one hour later and breakfast is available starting at 8:15 AM.

Choir Concert on October 23rd-
Wednesday, October 23rd will be the first choir concert of the year at SJHS beginning at 7:00 PM.  This concert will be a middle school and high school concert.

Just another reminder-
Students should be with you or in the Upton section during a home football game.  Students should not be wandering all around the stadium or playing tackle football behind the stadium.  Thanks for your help with this!

Quote of the week-
This is the quote I shared with the staff on Friday and I really like it!

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” 
- Leo Buscagua

Have a wonderful week,

Mr. Mandarino