Mandarino Minutes: Mandarino Minutes for 9-2-21

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome Back! -

We want to welcome you back to the 2021-2022 school year! The staff at Upton Middle School is ready for a wonderful year! We so look forward to meeting and working with your child/children this Tuesday, September 7th! Here is a quote to sum up our thoughts about this school year: John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

School Day Starts/Ends-

Our school day begins at 7:45 AM and ends at 2:42 PM. On late starts school will begin at 8:45 AM. Breakfast is available each morning free of charge beginning at 7:15 AM.

Masks are required-

Masks are required during the school day inside the building in St. Joseph Public Schools. As you probably ready recently this is also was passed by the Berrien County Health Department for all schoolsin Berrien County. We will expect them to be on during class, passing time, etc. Please help us by having this conversation with your daughter/son before the first day of school.

Pick up and Drop off procedures -

Please refer to the email Mr. Jeffers sent out this morning regarding morning drop off and afternoon pick up. The two graphics really describe the process really well. The biggest thing I want to stress is take your time and be watchful for "our kids".

Free Breakfast and Lunch again this school year -

We are pleased to inform you that St Joseph Public Schools will be participating in the Seamless Summer Option as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the School Year 2021-2022.The GREAT NEWS is that ALL students enrolled at our district can receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at NO CHARGE to your household each day. All menus are posted on our website.

To help assist in our production and parent planning we have implemented an online ordering system from www.sendmoneytoschool.com where meals can be ordered up to five days in advance at the Elementary Schools and Middle School.

We have a short Youtube video on the website to instruct on how to set up your Account.

Ala carte items will be available for purchase at Upton and St. Joseph High School. Students must have money in their food service accounts to purchase these items. Parents may put money in their student accounts online through www.sendmoneytoschool.com or send check/cash with the student.

Breakfast and Lunch are FREE to ALL but we still need your household to fill out and sign the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application (if applicable). Applications can be found online at www.lunchapp.com or a paper copy from your school. This information is critical in determining the amount of money that our

school receives from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs like Title I A, At-risk (31a), Title II A, E-Rate, etc.

If you have any questions please contact the Food Service Director, DemrhyYoungquist at 926-3127 or by email dyoungquist@sjschools.org

Medication Forms in the Office-

If your child needs to take any kind of medication (prescription, inhaler, epipen, etc.) during the school day, an Authorization to Administer Medication form must be completed by your doctor, along with the medication. Please stop by the office for a form.

Bus Routes -

If you have any questions about your bus stop, check out the routes/times listed on our website:

https://sjschools.org/about-upton-parents/transportation

Save the Date! -

First Upton PTO Board meeting - Thursday, September 23rd - 1 pm.

All are welcome and it will be live streamed on our FB page as well.

More information to come.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! -

The Upton PTO is extremely appreciative of your generosity! This year we raised over $5,000 which will go directly to providing support to our Upton teachers, faculty, staff and students. Our mission is to promote open and positive communication between parents and staff of Upton Middle School. Our efforts as an organization serve to enhance and maximize the education of every student while helping them achieve their highest potential.

UPTO (Upton Parent Teacher Organization) Spirit Wear Sale-

The Bear Wear/Spirit Wear store is officially open! Go to this link to place your order:

Https://ums2021fall.orderpromos.com/

The online store will close on Sept. 12th. Items are expected to be delivered to Upton in approximately 4 weeks. We appreciate your support! Go Bears!

Did your child forget something at home? -

If your son/daughter forgot an item we will have a table in the vestibule for you to set the item down at. You will simply buzz in at the front door, the secretary will let you in, and you will set the item down on the table, and your child can check in at the office for the item. We are limiting the visitors inside the building.