Mandarino Minutes for 3-12-19

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Repeat Spelling Champion -

Jason Shi has repeated as the Cloverleaf Spelling  Bee champion!  The Herald Palladium ran a nice article with the title "Shi-peat"!  Jason will advance to the national competition for a chance to be in the top 10 nationally in Orlando, Florida. We are also very proud of Elizabeth Fiesbeck (5th place) and Pihu Sahai (6th place).  Having all three students in the top 6 spots is really incredible and a testament to the hard work they put in and the coaching of Mrs. Cathy Gressley! 

Congratulations on the NHD Regionals -

Congratulations to Braden Miesse (8th grade) for qualifying for the state competition again.  Braden also repeated with his performance on Dmitri Shostakovich a Russian composer/pianist.  The high school also had two winners heading to state as well:  Maren Barfus and Ginny Weykamp.  We want to also thank Mrs. Wiesemes and Mr. Brown for their support & assistance with the process.  The awards video can be watched at:  

https://wmich.edu/history/events/historyday

Braden Miesse

Next Friday is a Half Day (March 19th)-

Next Friday, March 19th is a half day districtwide for staff immunization day for the second COVID 19 shot.  Upton will dismiss at 11:00AM.

Leaving early on Spring Break? -

Please let the office know by a phone call or note if your family is planning on leaving early for Spring break.  We have to have an accurate attendance each day.  Thanks!

Laptop Care -

Since our return from winter break, we have seen a significant increase in student devices being submitted to IT with damage -- including cracked screens. Repairs of this nature are costly, time-consuming, and often preventable.  Since the inception of Upton’s 1:1 computing program, proper carrying of devices has been instrumental in protecting student laptops from damage.

This is a reminder that Upton students are required to carry their school-issued devices in the SJPS provided laptop bags; these laptop bags are to be worn in a cross-body style and should NOT be put inside students' backpacks. School-issued devices should also be transported to and from school and to class in this manner.

We would appreciate your support in checking in with your son or daughter to verify that they are using their laptop bag.  In addition, please reinforce that this is both a requirement and an opportunity to practice being a responsible digital citizen and steward of Upton Middle School technology resources.  Thank you for your continued support and partnership. 

Battle of the Books -

It is time for the Battle of the Books! Open to ALL 7th graders, the Battle of the Books is a long-standing tradition here at Upton. The Battle this year will look quite different, but it will be a blast all the same. If you think your 7th grader might be interested in working with a team to read a variety of books and then wield that knowledge in our quiz bowl-style virtual competition, click the link below to learn more about this fun and challenging event.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kRCmIX9txVHOzi9ZoWTdIb0wv_6QBLX8EDB2kuxjWwo/edit?usp=sharing

Next week is Spirit Week at UMS-

Late Start Next Wednesday -

Next Wednesday, March 17th is a late start.  Classes will begin at 8:45 AM and breakfast will be available starting at 8:15 AM.  

Please bring a mask -

PLEASE send your child to school with a mask!  And maybe an extra one in their backpack.  We’ve had a lot of students arriving at school without masks.  We appreciate your help with this!

From the Desk of the UPTO-

Dear Parents,

 

It’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of another school year!  A lot has happened since September and we’re grateful for your help and support.

 

The Upton PTO took on a much different role this year.  With Covid restrictions in place, our ability to serve and support teachers, students and staff was extremely limited - yet, we found out, very much needed.

 

Next year, we’re hoping to accomplish even more with your help.  Please consider being a part of the Upton PTO executive board.  The following positions are open:

 

• President

• Vice President

• Secretary

• Treasurer

 

For further information, please review the attachment below and if you haven’t done so already, please join our FB page Upton Middle PTO.

 

Thank you,

UPTO

Football Messages -

Attention 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Please take a moment to complete the Google form so that you and your families will be looped in to all of the football related communications. 
Google Form Link:

https://forms.gle/6TZpo6bT85g4cvBEA

From the Guidance Department -

GUIDANCE NEWS

PERSEVERANCE is our theme for March 

 

Beyond perseverance, March is a time to focus on Women’s History and Reading. 

In our google site are some great resources that highlight women, reading and perseverance - check it out!

 

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

 

In the Parent Resources section: 

 Malala’s Magic Pencil - Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and campaigner for the rights of all children to attend school, has written her first picture book.. 

 

Celebrate Diversity & Cultivate a Love of Reading -  From Go Noodle - Use this list of books to help you introduce diverse voices, celebrate stories of women and bring kid-friendly literary works of art into your home!

 

Books with Stories of Extraordinary Women- From Common Sense Media - Biographies of women and girls who've made their mark on history make great reading for girls and boys. With short takes and vibrant art, these books are inspiring all kids to dream big and work hard to accomplish great things.

 

Insist on Persistent Women: Women’s History in the K-8 Classroom- From Learning for Justice - Young people need stories of persistent women who have fought for gender equality. Women's History Month is a good time for us to recommit to teaching those stories.

What’s Happening at School:

At Upton we thanked our students for participating in a Kindness Matters Challenge in February.  

Students received a small token for their kind deed and are pictured below:

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

guidance@stjoebears.com

Please stay home until the results are in -

Please stay home if anyone in your household is ill AND is getting a Covid test. Please keep all of your children home from school until you have received the results.  We are trying very hard to limit the contact/spread of Covid in our schools.  Thank you for your cooperation!

Lunch next week-

Monday - Cheeseburger, french fries, fruit

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

Wednesday - Mac and cheese, garlic bread, fruit/veggies

Thursday - Boneless chicken wings, french fries, fruit

Friday - No Lunch (half day)

Leaving SJPS Next School Year? -

If your plan is to move and not return to SJPS in the fall, please call the office with those details.  You can leave a voicemail message at 269-926-3400, option 5.

Water Bottles -

Make sure your child is coming to school with a water bottle.  We do not have spare bottles or cups to give out to students.  We’ve recently had a larger amount of students recently coming to school without and asking for a bottle.  Our “water fountains” are only for refilling water bottles, due to Covid.  Thank you for your help.

Quote of the week -

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mr. Mandarino