Mandarino Minutes for 2-26-21

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thanks so much! - 

The staff at UMS is so grateful and thankful for the wonderful "goodies" you have provided in the staff lounge.  The UPTO has done such a great job of organizing this and our staff has started the day off with a nice snack or cup of coffee because of your generosity!  

Scheduling Classes for the 2021-2022 School Year

All 7th and 8th graders should have their schedules for next year submitted via PowerSchool within the next week.  7th and 8th graders should also be sharing with you their proposed selections.  In addition 8th graders have a blue sheet that should be signed and returned to the office by next Friday, March 5th as well.  6th graders will work with their ELA teachers in their classrooms in the near future to schedule their classes (the only choice is remaining in band, choir, orchestra, or full year PE). If your son/daughter has any questions they can schedule an appointment with their counselor in our main office.

Ren Baldwin Tech Festival -

Congratulations to the 2021 Logo Winners:  

Dylan Walters and Vrishank Singh!

The 2021 Ren Baldwin Student Technology Festival is now accepting entries for projects.  All project entries are due by Thursday, April 15th, and will be showcased along with winning projects during a virtual festival event on May 7th. 

Please visit the Ren Baldwin link below to learn more about entering. 

Ren Baldwin Tech Fest Link

8th grader Dylan Walters

Congratulations Gavin and Isaac-

Congratulations to Gavin Keller (8th grade) and Isaac Codde for finishing first place in their weight divisions this past weekend at a Wrestling National level tournament. Indy Nationals is quite a tough competition and a huge honor!  We are so excited for these two nice young men!

Isaac Codde

Gavin Keller

Women’s History Month begins March 1st -

At Upton we celebrate the accomplishments of all people throughout the school year, but in the month of March we want to acknowledge that it is Women's History Month. Here are a few links to highlight some great resources:

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/womens-history-month

https://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Hot Lunch this week-

Monday - Mini corn dogs, french fries, fruit

Tuesday - Hot ham & cheese on pretzel bun, sun chips, fruit/veggies

Wednesday - Chicken tenders, mashed potatoes with gravy, dinner roll, fruit

Thursday - Hot dog on bun, baked beans, baked chips, fruit

Friday - Cheese or pepperoni french bread pizza, fruit/veggies

Upton Athletic Schedules Can be found at-

https://upton.bigteams.com/

Late Start next Wednesday-

Next Wednesday, March 3rd will be a one hour delay in SJPS. Buses will run one hour later and breakfast will be available starting at 8:15 AM.

No 1/2 day next Friday, March 5th-

6th-12th grades do not have a half day next Friday, March 5th. The half day is K-5 only.

After school pickup -

It has been brought to my attention once again that people are blocking traffic by not parking properly after school. We are pleading with you to please be courteous and helpful with this process. Your attention to this and spreading the word can help to ease the congestion.

New families to Upton/SJPS-

Get familiar with Upton by checking out our website at https://sjschools.org/upton-middle-school and our PTO Facebook page, Upton Middle PTO.

St Joseph Virtual School Update:

https://stjoevirtualschool.blogspot.com/

From the Guidance Department -

GUIDANCE NEWS

March marks a year that we have all been dealing with COVID-19 and it’s ramifications!   How have we all made it...PERSEVERANCE.  

Perseverance is ‘the ability to do something despite obstacles’.  

At school we may look at perseverance as ‘being able to learn from mistakes & failures and keep going until success is expereinced’.  Sometimes success may be getting  part of what you are working towards (instead of all of it).

 

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

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

 

In the Parent Resources section there are some new articles: 

Building perseverance in teens: here’s what to know

Why should teens start developing grit (and how to build it)

What’s Happening at School:

At Upton & SJHS we are starting some small groups this month to help our students persevere with challenges.  

If you think your student would be a good fit for either of these, please let us know.

Club H2O - from Well of Grace a safe place for girls, ages 13-18, to connect, increase self-esteem, find potential and explore possibilities… defining who you are on the inside and out… and celebrating what makes you unique.

TRAILS to Wellness - students will learn & practice coping skills to manage difficult emotions.  Research on the program has shown a significant decrease in symptoms of anxiety & depression for students who have participated, which will likely improve their academic and behavioral outcomes.  This is an educational, skill-building group, NOT a therapy group. 

 

Please remember we are here to support you - reach out if you have a question/concern:

guidance@stjoebears.com

 

Quote of the Week -

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 2-19-21

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

New Rotations for 6th & 7th grades

(Change in the start date) -

With a few snow days, hybrid days, etc. will be extending the 3rd rotation by two days. Rotation 3 will end on Thursday, February 25th and Rotation 4 will begin on Friday, February 26th.

Please send a note or call -

When a student is leaving Upton for any reason the student needs to either bring a note to school, the parent/guardian needs to call the office, or the student must call home through the office. Texting or emailing through the classroom is not allowed.

Kindergarten Round-Up Information-

Black History Month -

At UMS, we celebrate diversity and Black History not just in February, but all year long!  As a part of this culture, our media center strives to include titles that allow all students to see themselves in books. This can inspire, build stronger connections to stories for deeper comprehension, and provide mirrors to our identities.

 

"Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of a larger human experience."   (Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, children's literature scholar)

 

Lift Every Voice, Hear Every Voice (Black History Month & Beyond) - Check this out to find a collection of fiction and nonfiction books that highlight this diversity in our library.  Encourage your students to use BookHub to check out their next great book.

Community Corkboard-

Please check out the Community Corkboard

(www.sjschools.org > Parents > Community Corkboard) check out this site for local activities/clubs.  More flyers should come in as spring/summer draws closer. This month has information on the St. Joseph Baseball Association, AYSO Soccer, etc.

Guidance News for the week -

Here is the link to this week's guidance department resources:

Guidance Department Resources 2-19-21

Please, Please, Please Be Careful -

We have had an increase in student drop-off & pick-up with the colder weather. We need you all to take your time, not be in a hurry, use caution, and be patient. We want all of our students to feel safe and we need your help with this!

Late Start Next Wednesday, February 24th-

Next Wednesday, February 24th the district will have a late start. All buses will run one hour later and breakfast will be available beginning at 8:15 AM.

Hot Lunch this week -

Monday - Cheeseburger on a bun, french fries, mandarin oranges

Tuesday - French toast sticks, hash browns, oranges, sausage links

Wednesday - Mac and cheese, garlic bread, carrot sticks, fruit cup

Thursday - Nachos with beef and cheese, refried beans, salsa, mandarine oranges

Friday - Cheese bosco sticks w/marinara sauce, veggie sticks, fruit slushie

Bring a water bottle -

We love the fact that students want to drink water, but lately we have had a lot of students come to the office requesting a cup for the drinking fountains. We would encourage you to have your son/daughter bring a water bottle from home. We have water bottle refilling stations in the hallway. Thanks for your help with this!

Quote of the week -

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mr. Mandarino