Mandarino Minutes for 11-25-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Very Informative Parent Opportunity-

Next week Tuesday, December 3rd beginning at 7:00 PM in the Upton Auditorium will be two great presentations on cyber/internet safety and the second presentation on the dangers of vaping.   Chief assistant prosecutor, Steven Pierangeli, and Detective Sergeant Cory Peek will talk in the opening about the internet and your teen.  They will have tools and websites that you should know about.  In the second presentation, Lisa Peeples-Hurst, who is a public health promotion and prevention supervisor at the Berrien County Health Department will give a vaping 101 presentation.  We hope you can join us for what we think are two very important topics.

1/2 day of school Wednesday, November 27th-

The Wednesday we will have a half day of school.  On November 27th dismissal will be at 11:00 AM.

Dressing Nice on Wednesday-

It has been a tradition for close to 20 years at Upton to dress nicely the day before Thanksgiving break to show our gratitude for all the things we are thankful for.  This tradition started when Mr. Skibbe was principal of Upton Middle School. We will do this on Wednesday, November 27th.

Bus Passes (Friends, Grandmas, Etc.) -

Please have your son/daughter submit a bus pass by noon on the day they are requesting to ride home with a friend.  Three out of six of our busses are full and can't take bus passes.  Having this submitted by noon gives the students time to make alternate plans.  Parents must also call in by noon if you are requesting by phone. We can't honor a note brought to us at the end of the day.

NHS Tutoring at St. Joseph High School-

Tutoring at SJHS Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-4:00.  

There is a new procedure for obtaining a tutoring bus pass.  

A student must request an Academic Study Session slip from the office before noon on the day of tutoring.  Then the slip needs to be filled out by the teacher and returned to the office before a bus pass is given for tutoring.  If a student does not have a bus pass from the office, they will not be allowed to take the bus over to SJHS.

Upton Bears Student Credit Union October winner-

The October winner for Upton Bears Student CU. Samara Fernandes won a gift basket with a $25.00 Visa gift card!  Congratulations Samara!

Time Change for Basketball Games-

The boys 7th & 8th grade A teams games tomorrow, November 26th, will be at 4:00 and 5:15 PM against Benton Harbor. The school is located on the corner of Colfax and Napier.

Upton Book Fair-

The Upton Book Fair is almost here!  From Monday, 12/2, through Friday, 12/13, come visit us in the media center to find your next great read.  All purchases benefit our school.

Can’t wait until then?  Early birds can visit our online fair beginning NOW -- just in time to browse for holiday surprises or gather and give gift suggestions to far-flung family members over the long Thanksgiving weekend.

But wait...there’s more!  At this year’s book fair, we are excited to offer eWallet.

• Secure, cash-free payment option
• Pre-authorized amount to control spending
• Funds immediately available for use

It’s that easy!  Watch the video.

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”   -- Garrison Keillor

See you at the fair!

Keep the Toys Coming-

Mosaic's Wonderland Toy Store and Toys for Tots have collection spots at Upton Middle School. All the toys collected will go to kids in Berrien County. Thanks so much to those that have already contributed!

Howard Ice Arena Holiday Schedules-

Happy Thanksgiving-

The Upton staff hopes your family has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  If you are traveling we wish you safe travels. Please encourage your child to unplug as much as possible and enjoy family time this break.

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-18-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Please, Please, Help-

We really need your help with the morning drop-off.  Students are arriving late in the morning and a lot has to do with parents not following the drop-off procedures.  Mr. Jeffers has put these directions out many times this school year and the system will work if the process is followed.  On days that it is snowing/icy you may need to leave 5 minutes earlier.  We appreciate you trying your best to make sure your son/daughter arrives on time.

Weight Training and Conditioning Club-

Mr. Brown has a weight training and conditioning club after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-4:30 PM.  Any student in grades 6th-8th are welcome.  For more information please email Mr. Brown at Ibrown@sjschools.org

Toys for Tots and Mosaic-

Once again Upton Middle School will take part in gifts for the youth this holiday season.  We will be doing this in two ways. 

The student council will be joining forces with the local Marines for Toys for Tots.  These toys stay in Southwest Michigan.

This holiday season the Interact Clubs of SJPS and LMC are partnering up with Mosaic Resale store in Benton Harbor to give approximately 400 families a special Christmas shopping experience who are unable to afford Christmas gifts for their children. This annual event provides parents the dignity and joy associated with the ability to buy gifts for their children.  The Wonderland Toy Store is offered to families by invitation only, as identified through our community partners.  

Primary funding comes from local businesses through monetary, gift card, and toy donations.  We have place collection boxes in each of the SJPS, Clarke, Brown, Lincoln, Upton, & SJHS as well as Southbend Chocolate Co., Edgewater Bank of downtown SJ and Royalton Twp, Johnson Rauhoff, Biggby of SJ, and Zoup!  

Please consider donating unwrapped toys this season for ages 0-12 years.  Gift Cards for 13-18 years.

Mosaic CCDA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible. 

The Interact Clubs will deliver all the collection boxes on Dec. 16th and we will volunteer our time the week of to set up the store, greet shoppers, and wrap gifts. 

UPTO meeting this Thursday-
Our UPTO group will meet this Thursday, November 21st at noon in the Upton Conference room.  Please come and see how you can help and contribute.

6th grade opportunity-

Community Corkboard-

Have you checked out the community corkboard lately? If not here is the link:  SJPS Community Corkboard

Late Start this Wednesday-

We will have a late start this Wednesday, November 20th.  Buses will run one hour later and breakfast will be available beginning at 8:15 AM.  School will begin at 8:45 AM.

1/2 day of school next week Wednesday, November 27th-

The day before Thanksgiving we will have a half day of school.  On November 27th dismissal will be at 11:00 AM.

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-11-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,



Happy Veterans Day! -
Today we thank/remember all those that have served our country!  

Thanks for coming! -
We appreciate you coming over to SJHS last Thursday for parent-teacher conferences.  The attendance was very good!  Our teachers really enjoyed the opportunity to meet with you.  If however, you needed more time for a discussion a separate meeting can always be arranged.  Remember also that report cards are not printed for 6-12th grades, so you can go into PowerSchool under Q1 for grades.

Inclement Weather-
Please remember that in weather like today to leave the house a few minutes earlier.  The drop-off line always increases when we have snow.  Please also play nice in the parking lot!  Student safety has to be followed at all times.  We do not have a person at the middle school who is paid to be outside in the morning for drop-offs.  We also have to stress again to not turn left when heading west on Maiden Lane in the AM.  This causes traffic to be slowed down tremendously.

Picture Retakes Cancelled today-
The picture company that comes from out of town could not make it in this morning for picture retakes.  Picture retakes will now be this Friday, November 15th.  This picture retake day will be for everyone that has not yet had their picture taken or if you want a different one.  If it is a retake the original packet must come back with your daughter/son.

Joe Bots-

Here are the results of the Upton Robotics teams performance at Gull Lake High School on Sat. Nov. 9th. All three teams performed beyond expectations! An outstanding performance for a "week 2" event.

Team #8513 - Joe Bots - Maize

Finished Ranked #14th out of 34

Awards: 2nd Runner up - Think Award & 2nd Runner up - Connect Award

Team #11855 - Joe Bots - Blue

Finished Ranked #26 out of 34

Awards: 2nd Runner up - Design Award

Team #13702 - Joe Bots - White

Finished Ranked #18th out of 34

We have 4 weeks to tweak our designs, programming and driver skills before our next competition in Coloma on Dec. 7th.

Great Job Joe Bots!

Planetarium Community Night-
This Thursday evening at 6:30 PM is another free community planetarium night at Upton Middle School.  Mrs. Francis will take you through the night sky and have a show called "Dawn of the Space Age" (recommended 10 and up).  The show is totally free.  Here is a trailer that previews the show:  Dawn of the Space Age Trailer

UPTO Parent Mix & Mingle-

Beauty and the Beast-
On Thursday our student body will head over to SJHS to view a portion of the high school musical Beauty and the Beast.  This musical will take place this Friday and Saturday in the John & Dede Howard Auditorium.  Here is a link if you are interested in tickets:  Beauty and the Beast PaySchool Link

Late Start-
We do have a late start this Wednesday, November 13th.  School will begin at 8:45 AM.  Buses will run one hour later and breakfast at Upton will be available beginning at 8:15 AM.

Lost Ring at Conferences-
A ladies ring was found in the women's restroom at parent-teacher conferences at SJHS.   If you lost a ring please see Mrs. Koetsier at Upton Middle School in the office.

Another Ski Club reminder-
Parent don't forget to sign up for Ski Club if your kids are interested in a season of fun on the slopes! Please click on the links below for more information.

The link for signing up and paying are embedded in the expectations presentation.

Ski Club Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByG_2r75HuSJMGQzc0JpMGpPLTA/view?usp=sharing Expectations presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cK5ywfCE_F1vgY_jPVb91xUCH_yFtIlwfy1ZI3B4PmU/edit?usp=sharing

Quote of the week-

Have a wonderful week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-4-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,



End of the 1st Marking Period-
Student grades will be official tomorrow at 4:00 PM for the first marking period.  We do not print hard copies of report cards 6th-12th grades.  If you are unable to get into PowerSchool to see your daughter/son's grades, please call the office and someone will assist you.

Conferences 101-

WHO:  Parents and Guardians

WHAT:  Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences

WHEN:  Next Thursday, November 7th The time frame is 12:30-4:00 PM and 5:30-8:30 PM.    Conferences are on Thursday ONLY

WHERE:  Upton teachers will meet at St. Joseph High School in the Student Center.  You have a few minutes to visit with each teacher. If more than a few minutes are needed, you would schedule another time for further discussion. 

HOW:  You have a few minutes to visit with each teacher.  If more than a few minutes are needed you would schedule another time for further discussion with the teacher. You get in line to talk to each teacher.  Tables are set up in the student center and parents sit down with the teachers they would like to meet with.

OTHER:  We will NOT have copies of your daughter/son's schedule or report card, so you could do the following things:

1. Copy the teacher names/schedule out of PowerSchool Parent Portal on a piece of paper
2. Take a picture of the schedule with your phone
3. Have your daughter/son write down the name of their teachers for you

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

Sock and Toiletry Drive Concluding-
This is our last push for socks, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, etc.  These items are being collected until the end of the school day this Wednesday, November 6th.

Builder's Club-

Builders Club will be meeting this week, Wednesday, November 6th.  If not already done, applications and dues should be turned in by this meeting.  We will be collecting the donated socks/toiletries from the drive we started at the last meeting.  The meeting should end by 4:00.  

If you are one of the parents who offered to help at meetings and have your approved volunteer consent form from Central Office, you are welcome to help out at this meeting.  Please let Mrs. Hunnell know.  Her email is : Shunnell@sjschools.org 

Picture Retake Day -

Picture Retakes will be Monday, November 11th.  If you have not had your photo taken, please come to the office for an order form.  If you would like to have you school picture retaken, you will need to bring the original order packet you received from your previous picture day.

To order online, go to:

geskusphoto.com/fallorders and use this web code: 3715XWPAVSAOLP

Ski & Snowboarding Club-

Here is the link to the flyer for ski club sign-ups this year as well as the link for the expectations presentation. The link for signing up and paying are embedded in the expectations presentation.

Ski Club Flyer: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByG_2r75HuSJMGQzc0JpMGpPLTA/view?usp=sharing

Expectations presentation: 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cK5ywfCE_F1vgY_jPVb91xUCH_yFtIlwfy1ZI3B4PmU/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Brown at Ibrown@sjschools.org

Wrestling Opportunity-
Please click on this link for a wrestling opportunity:

St. Joseph Youth Wrestling MYWAY PDF

Late Start Wednesday-
We do have a late-start this Wednesday, November 6th.  Buses will run one hour later and breakfast will be available for those interested at 8:15 AM.

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino