Mandarino Minutes for 4-27-20

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Dr. Bruce's Message -

I hope you had a chance to listen/watch Dr. Bruce's message.  I am not at all discouraged by the 88% participation rate, but we would like to improve it.  If your daughter/son is struggling with engaging with their teachers, please reach out to the teachers directly, Ms. Toth or Mrs. Peterson, Mr. Jeffers, or I and we would be happy to help.  We will be doing a weekly attendance of participation in your student's classes and reaching out to assist if we can.  Remember one of the best ways to see what your daughter/son is supposed to do for the week is to sit down with them and have them show you on the itsLearning calendar.

Many of you have seen the remote learning plan before, but for those that would like to see it again here you go to view again:

Middle School Remote Learning pdf

8th grade Salmon in the Classroom -

On Friday, Dr. Ann St. Amand released the salmon from the 8th grade Salmon in the Classroom project.  This is always a great field trip for our 8th graders as they have a fun-filled day doing science experiments, getting in the creek, and the culmination of the release of the fish that they have seen grown up from eggs.  We had about 75 people watch it live and around 250 total views so far.  Here is a clip to watch if you would like to see the event from Friday:

Salmon in the Classroom YouTube Link  

The Guidance Department is here for your family! -

One thing we’ve noticed this week as we are connecting with students is how they are excited to see one another.  In this time of “social distancing” it’s important to remember that ‘physical distance’ does not have to equal ‘social distance’.  Encourage your student(s) find ways to connect with peers and have some fun!  Remember to take time and do this for yourself as well. 

If you need some ideas, check out our google site: 

Covid-19, Guidance & SEL.  

This site includes a variety of resources to support you and your families.  We will be updating it regularly.  Please consider bookmarking it :)

This week’s update includes:

• New articles in the parent resource section about social connection
• Safe social sites & chat rooms
• Surprising apps kids use to chat
• Socializing at a distance
• 3 ways to stay connected during COVID
• Helping teens remain connected with peers while socially distant
• A new local hotline in our community resource section: 
• Michigan Dept of Health & Human Services has launched a peer-run warmline to assist with mental health needs related to anxiety, depression & trauma.  Call  the Michigan Mental Health Warmline at: 1-888-PEER-753 (1-888-733-7753)  - available every day between 10am - 2am.
• In counseling resources: 
• Michiana Behavioral Health in Plymouth, IN offers inpatient mental health treatment for 6-17 year olds
• In self care & wellness:
• Digital binging - is it a problem
• Self care during COVID.
• Schedules & activities bank
• Pluto the dog’s inspiration
• HS offered a virtual social hangout  for students on Wednesday
• Have your student(s) keep an eye out for more ways to connect socially...opportunities will be shared via itsLearning

Ren Baldwin Technology Festival: Going Virtual  -

Here is a link to the Ren Baldwin Technology festival items:

Ren Baldwin Virtual 2020 Technology Festival PDF

Middle School Entry Form Link

Logo designed by 7th grader Dylan Walters

Wonderful UPTO -

I wanted to just let you know that your wonderful UPTO has been hard at work behind the scenery supporting students in need, planning for next school year, and supporting Upton teachers.  This group has been a real blessing to UMS students and staff this school year!

Student Yoga opportunity tomorrow -

Here is a link for your daughter/son to be a part of a free yoga retreat:       

Yogalife Student Retreat Signup link

Virtual Board Of Education Meeting -

  Notice of a Virtual Board of Education Meeting

The public may participate by dialing 478-268-6009 and entering PIN 596 836 350# when prompted.

Quote of the week -

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 4-20-20

Dear Parents/Guardians,


New Learning Plan Begins today -

I hope you had a chance to read the email I sent out on Friday afternoon.  If not, please click here to read the newest plan:  

  Important SJPS Middle School Remote Learning Plan

This plan lays out a lot of information about learning for the rest of the school year.

Example of elearning at the Binns house

Ren Baldwin Technology Festival -

The 2020 Ren Baldwin Student Technology Festival is going virtual!

The new deadline for projects is May 5th.  The new date for our VIRTUAL Tech Festival is May 20th.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to show what they know.  With over a dozen categories, there's a place for every student's work, including our BRAND NEW category -- What I Love About SJPS.  

For all the details, check out our updated flyer or the UMS Media Center homepage.

Virtual Tech Fest 2020 flyer

Ren Baldwin

Awesome Guidance Resource Page -

Our wonderful guidance department has provided a great resource for students and parents/guardians.  They have also included a quick guide on how to use the page.  Here are the two links:

Short description describing the page link:  SJPS Quick Tutorial

Actual site to explore on your own:  Covid-19, Guidance & SEL 

Media Center Page keeps expanding -

We are excited to hear so many of our SJ students have been reading and enjoying the library books they took home with them in March.  While we would love to be able to facilitate a book exchange for students to get more reading material, we are not able to do so at this time due to our buildings being closed.   Finally, please encourage your children to keep reading and to contact their teacher librarian for assistance.  We are here to help!

A message from Mrs. Burnette on resources for your students (and parents/guardians)

"Greetings UMS! As we continue to sail through these unfamiliar waters, things can feel a little overwhelming. There are many lists of resources out there, but here I've gathered some of my favorites. I am hoping you and your families will find these helpful." -- Mrs. Burnette

UMS Media Center eResources

Things at Upton -

I want to take a few moments to talk about a few items that I have been receiving a lot of emails on and unfortunately don't have concrete answers on at this time.

• Locker clean-out and instruments-  We can not let students and staff in at this time.  When we have a date when we can safely get items back to students we will communicate this.
• Library books to turn in-  Like the locker clean-out we appreciate your student wanting to turn in their books, but for the time being just hold on to these until we determine a date.
• 6th graders and their sundaes-  We still plan to honor our 6th grade reading in March by having their sundaes in September.  More to come on this event.
• Salmon release-  Your son/daughter's 8th grade science teacher will give an update on this release date this week for our Salmon in the classroom project.

Quote of the week -

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 4-13-20

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome back from "Spring Break" -

I hope your stay-home Spring break went well.  I also hope this blog finds you and your family healthy.  Our teachers are taking this week to continue to enrich through their online learning resources, our remote learning plans are being revised this week by our staff, meetings are taking place daily, and beginning next week Monday, April 20th we will begin teaching new concepts using the essential standards in all subjects.  Governor Whitmer gave information on this last week as many of you may have seen.  Your commitment to encouraging your son/daughter is very much appreciated and needed.  Continue to ask to see their online work.  We realize that remote learning comes with challenges, motivation issues, and support.  Please do not be afraid to reach out to a teacher for that support.  We want to partner with you!

Great Media Resources Page from Mrs. Burnette -

What to listen to a audiobook or podcast?  What to read an ebook or article?  What to take a virtual tour or hear a TED talk?  Here is a wonderful resource for your daughter, son, or you:

UMS Media Center Resource Page

Feeding our Bears Food Support Change -

We are feeding our Bears because that is who we are! 

We will be handing out free breakfast & lunches to any student 18 and under. This will take place on Mondays and Thursdays.  Breakfast and lunch will continue to be distributed on Mondays and Thursdays until June 4th.

Meals will be offered from 11:00AM-12:30PM at the St Joseph High School back entrance off of Lakeview Ave.  

Social Emotional Support -

Our guidance department has various articles on many subjects and here is a link to the page:  Guidance Department Resources Link

For more support on other topics please click here:  SJPS Support

Free Yoga Opportunity -

Quote of the week -

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 4-1-20

Dear Parents/Guardians,



In our thoughts-

I know our teachers have been working hard to provide online content for your daughter/son. Our teachers are meeting multiple times weekly via google hangouts with their colleagues.  Many staff are also reaching out via google hangouts with your child. If there is any way we can support you, please reach out.  The staff hopes your family is feeling well and continues to stay healthy.

Social/Emotional Support-

Here is a link for support if your son/daughter/you are needs support for anything:

SJPS Social/Emotional Resources

Breakfast & Lunch Resource Once Again-

I wanted to resend out the resource that I shared previously.  Here is a list of places for breakfast and lunch opportunities:

Breakfast/Lunch Opportunity Sites

SJPS COVID 19 FAQ-

Here is an updated (March 30th) frequently asked question (FAQ) link from SJPS:

SJPS FAQ 3-30-20

If your child isn't connecting-

Right now staff is trying to figure out if your son/daughter is having trouble connecting/practicing/enriching.  Please once again ask to login to your son/daughter's itsLearning or Google classroom accounts to see what they have been working on.  If they are not participating, please encourage them to do so.

Quote of the week-

Take care & best to you and yours,

Mr. Mandarino