Mandarino Minutes for 11-23-20 (Short)

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Short message -

This will be a short addition to the blog post I sent out on Friday.  The staff at UMS want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving!  Of the many things we are thankful for at UMS two of the items are :  the students & the parents!  Thanks for your support!  Enjoy your family!

Next Week's Schedule -

This is the schedule for Monday, November 30th-Friday, December 4th.

All-State from the desk of Mrs. Cabanilla-Sinnett

Congratulations to the four Upton orchestra students that were selected to be a MSBOA Middle School All-State Orchestra student for the school year 2020-2021:

Yimo Liu, 8th grade violin

Ryan Lokey, 7th grade cello

Braden Miesse, 8th grade cello

Turner Peterson, 8th grade cello

This year 1,466 students signed up to audition. They prepared excerpts, a series of memorized scales, then recorded and uploaded their performance to a site.  A panel of 25 All-State adjudicators listened and adjudicated all of the auditions and then selected the students who performed the best.

Because the 2021 Michigan Music Conference will be a virtual conference, the All-State ensembles will not perform this school year. However it is an honor to be chosen, as well as a distinction that deserves recognition and celebration. These students put in a lot of effort and practice. We're proud of you. Congratulations!

Mrs. Cabanilla-Sinnett & Mr. Lokey

Attendance for remote -

We would appreciate your support and help with encouraging your daughter/son to attend all classes.  Attendance is mandatory.  Thanks!

BookHub:  Need a book?  -

Does your student need a library book refresh?

Students may continue to request library books from the UMS media center during remote learning!

We have been using our very own book delivery system this year -- BookHub -- to keep books in our students' hands and everyone as safe as possible.

And now we're bringing it to remote learning! Students simply search our online catalog Destiny Discover for books and use the UMS BookHub to place their requests. We will hold a drive through pick-up time on November 30th (details below). To secure their book request(s), students will need to submit the form by Sunday, 11/29.

Library Book Pick-Up / Drop-off Day

Monday, November 30

1:00-3:00 @ UMS front entrance

Come see us on Monday, November 30! Bring us your completed books and pick up some new ones!

If you have questions, please email Mrs. Burnette at kburnette@sjschools.org.

Happy Reading and Go Bears!

Book Fair -

The UMS Book Fair is open and online!

Join your kids in exploring titles and discovering their next great reads. Remember, every dollar you spend will benefit our school directly -- 25% back in rewards!

Be sure to visit the Fair during our allotted dates:

November 18 – November 29

SHOP the FAIR

Some amazing features of our online store:

• Over 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers, and value packs

• A Virtual Fair shopping experience
• All orders ship direct to home
• FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25

Bonus Quote of the week-

Happy Thanksgiving,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-20-20

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Schedule for next week -

Food opportunity pickup -

SJPS will offer meal pick up opportunities on Monday evenings from 5-6 PM for the students when we are remote.  Meal pick up is in the back of St. Joseph High School off of Lakeview Avenue.   Please email me Mrs. Youngquist (dyoungquist@sjschools.org) to reserve their meal packages.

Tutoring opportunity -

Does your daughter/son need a little extra academic support?  Please use this form that I have linked to get some National Honor Society tutoring support.

Tutoring Support Link

Virtual Book Fair -

Please take a few minutes to follow the link below to the UMS virtual book fair.  The book fair is used to bring more titles to our collection at Upton.  Thanks for considering this!

UMS Virtual Book Fair link

Technical difficulties ? -

If your son/daughter's device is not working properly, please send an email to support@sjschools.org. Our IT department will be in touch to assist.

From the Guidance Department -

Guidance News

With our move to remote learning, please remember we are still here to support our students and families.  

 

On Wednesday 11/18 and again on Monday 11/30, we are offering a fun activity for the students to connect with one another outside of the classroom.  We are sharing these opportunities with students through their school email and grade level google classrooms.  These ‘fun activities’ are optional, but we may have some required SEL lessons in the future.

 

Please remember to check our family google site regularly for updates.

What's New This Week in COVID-19, Guidance & SEL:

In the Apps to Manage Stress & Anxiety - check out the new apps for all grade levels preK - 12 grade (Daniel Tiger, Mind Yeti & Calm Harm)!

In the Parent Resources section there  are some new articles - "Holidays during the Pandemic", "25 Holiday Traditions to start this year" and "Post Election Emotional Intelligence" tips as well as links to the principal blogs and guidance college & career resources

In the Community Resources section there is a new list of mental health first aid resources and a new FREE resource in Benton Harbor

Mrs. Fairchild  Mrs. Peterson Ms. Toth

School Social Worker Counselor (last name A-G) Counselor (last name H-Z)

                          

1st Tee Awesome commercial -

7th grader, Mya Miller, and 8th grader, Jason Wright, recently were a part of a commercial for 1st Tee.  If you enjoyed the Michael Jordan & Larry Bird commercial of the early 90's, I know you will enjoy this!

Mya & Jason Commercial Link

Quote of the week -

Happy Thanksgiving from the UMS Staff!

Have a great weekend & Thanksgiving!

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-13-20

 Dear Parent/Guardians,

Great Concerts -

We had two wonderful orchestra concerts this week!  The 7th & 8th graders were excited to be in front of an audience for the first time in several months and they sounded great!  We appreciate the audience following the protocols while attending as well. 😊

Conferences -

Thanks for your participation in the remote conferences this week!  If you have a teacher that you did not connect with and want to still meet, please send them an email and they will try to connect with you.

Mosaic Coat Drive for SW Michigan Residents- 

Beginning next Monday, November 16th we will have a few boxes near the office for winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc.  These items can be gently used or new.  All items will remain in Berrien County for residents that are in need.  Any donation to this very worthy cause is appreciated.

Late Start -

The district will have a late start this Wednesday, November 18th. School will begin at 8:45 AM and doors at Upton will open at 8:15 AM.  Breakfast will be available beginning at 8:45 AM.

Lunch Next Week -

Monday-  Chicken Patty, Hash Brown, Applesauce

Tuesday-  Hot Dog, Baked Beans, Peaches, Baked Chips

Wednesday-  Pepperoni Calzone, Corn, Applesauce

Thursday-  Chicken Tenders & Waffles, Hash Brown, Fruit Cup

Friday-  French Bread Pizza, Carrot & Celery Sticks, Apple Slices

***All lunches come with 1% white or Chocolate Milk***

Remote Meets with Teachers -

Thanks for your patience this week as we practiced our remote learning!  Thursday and Friday went very smoothly! We expect each student in a google meet when working remote to be present on the screen.  We had students who had an image up on the screen. Our teachers have reminded the students about this, but if you could have a conversation with your daughter/son as well that would be great.  Thanks!

UPTO  Meeting Next Thursday -  

We will have our November UPTO meeting next Thursday, November 19th at 1:00 PM virtually.  Here is the link to the meeting:

meet.google.com/qvv-gjgm-ers

7th grade Parent Washington DC 2022 Trip Meeting-  

Mr. Catania will be hosting a remote parent meeting on Thursday evening for 7th grade students interested in the 2022 Washington DC trip.  Here is the link for more information:

Washington DC Trip Information Link 

From the desk of the Guidance Department -

What's New This Week in COVID-19, Guidance & SEL:

• In the Apps to Manage Stress & Anxiety - check out the new apps for all grade levels preK - 12 grade!
• In the Parent Resources section there  are some new articles - "From exhausted to excited: flip your parenting mindset"; "5 tips to find balance with social media" and "Ideas for talking to kids about Corona (whether they like to talk about it or avoid talking about it)".

 Quote of the week -

Thank you to all our parents/guardians who have served our country!

Pictures of the fence at SJHS
Photos courtesy of Ken McKeown

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-6-20

 Dear Parents/Guardians, 

1/2 Days Next Week and Conferences -

We will have half days next Thursday, November 12th and Friday, November 13th.  Dismissal on each day will be at 11:00 AM.  Also, you should have received an email from me yesterday regarding parent-teacher conferences for next Thursday, November 13th.  

Thanks UPTO! -

Last Friday at 7th grade lunch our wonderful Upton Parent-Teacher Organization provided a Dairy Queen dilly bar at lunchtime to our 7th graders.  Our 7th graders read last March and many (who were 6th graders at the time)  met their goals, but because of COVID they never received their ice cream sundae.  The students were very happy and thankful for the UPTO remembering them.

We need your assistance -

We would love your help in reminding your son/daughter to come into school each day with a full charge on their laptop.  We have had many students showing up with a very low charge on their laptop.  Thanks for your help!

Great Concerts & Upcoming Concerts -

Monday we had a wonderful 6th-8th grades choir concert and Wednesday(8th grade band) & Thursday(7th grade band) two great band concerts.  It was wonderful for our performing arts students to get out in front of an audience and perform!  

Next week we have the following two concerts:

Tuesday, November 10th- 8th grade orchestra

Wednesday, November 11th- 7th grade orchestra

All concerts take place at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS and will be held at 7:00 PM.

SJHS NHS Tutoring available for in person & virtual students -

Dear Parents,

The National Honor Society will be rolling out virtual tutoring this week.  If you have a student who needs tutoring, we are offering in person tutoring every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school from 2:47-3:45pm in the student center and now virtual tutoring.  In person tutoring is drop in, with no reservation needed.   For students who would like to request a virtual tutoring session, they just need to fill out a Google Form at this link:

https://forms.gle/J18HhF5Gx5mTJN7U8

Virtual tutoring is available from 3 PM to 7 PM on Sundays through Thursdays. Sessions can be up to 60 minutes.  Your student will receive an email with a Google Meet link for the date and time requested and will log in for some virtual support.

I will check these forms every morning at 6:30am and tutors will pick up the virtual sessions by noon the same day.  

Be patient with us while we work out the kinks, I anticipate that once word gets out we will likely have many requests and we will do our best to accommodate everyone who needs tutoring.  

This is a free service provided by the St Joseph High School National Honor Society and we encourage any student who could use a little extra help to take advantage of this support.  Virtual students are also encouraged to participate as well.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

 

Nita Nicholie
National Honor Society Advisor
Saint Joseph High School

From Your Guidance Department -

What's New This Week

in COVID-19, Guidance & SEL:

• In the Self Care & Wellness page under Warm Fuzzies - link to a YouTube channel for pet lovers and under Self Care Resources a breathing technique to help with sleep!

• In the Apps to Manage Stress & Anxiety - check out some new apps and a couple short but powerful breathing videos.

• In the Parent Resources section there is a new website GoNoodle - lots of great ways to get your family up & moving!

Late Start Next Wed. November 11th-

We have a late start next Wednesday, November 11th.  School doors will open at 8:15 AM and breakfast will be available at that time as well.  School will begin at 8:45 AM.

Lunch At Upton Next Week - 

 Monday, Nov. 9th- Cheese Quesadilla, Refried Beans, Apple Slices

 Tuesday, Nov. 10th - Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Cranberry Sauce, Dinner Roll

Wednesday, Nov. 11th- Chicken Tenders, Waffle Fries, Apple Slices

1/2 days on Thursday and Friday

*** Every lunch has a 1% White Milk or Chocolate Milk option ***

Quote of the week -

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mr. Mandarino