Dear Parents/Guardians,

Upton Ice Skating Evenings-

Save the Date/Dates:

The Upton UPTO will be sponsoring skate nights and the John & Dede Howard Ice Skating Rink on the following evenings:

• Thursday, Feb. 10th - 6th grade

• Thursday, Feb. 24th - 7th grade

• Friday, Feb. 25th - 8th grade

More details to follow soon on this!

8th to 9th grade Scheduling Meeting-

CLASS OF 2026

SAVE THE DATE: 

Informational Scheduling Meeting for current 8th Grade Students & their Parents 
who plan to attend
St. Joseph High School Fall 2022

Wednesday, February 9, 2022 
6:00pm
@ John & Dede Howard Auditorium at St. Joseph High School

---

You will receive 2022-23 scheduling materials, learn about the high school scheduling process, meet department representatives and tour the school. 

This is a very important informational meeting and encourage all 8th grade students AND their parents to attend!

New Semester This Monday-

This Monday, January 31st will being semester 2 for our students. Many of our 8th graders will begin their new electives on this date. Just a reminder that we do not print report cards off until the end of the year in June.

8th Grade Farewell Dance Parent Meeting-

Attention 8th grade parents!

The Upton PTO is creating an 8th Grade Farewell Dance Committee and is looking for parent volunteers to help organize this special celebration.  

Please email us at  uptonmiddlepto@gmail.com if you’re interested in being part of the planning. 

Our first meeting will be Thursday, February 10th @ 7 pm in the Upton conference room.

Hope to see you there!

UPTO

UPTO Officer Openings-

Girls Soccer Signups -

Attention all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls soccer players - Please fill out this form if you are interested in playing soccer this spring to help us determine how many teams we will have.

  https://forms.gle/Wfs2fbLmC5vWVuLLA

 

A parent meeting will take place on March 2nd at 6:30 PM. There will be a club fee to cover the cost of your jersey and ref fees. Practices can start the week of March 21st and our games will be played on weekdays between April 11th and May 26th. Please contact Sara Dawalt socceruptonmiddleschool@gmail.com with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you on the field!

Want to Substitute Teach? -

Our school district is in need of substitute teachers! If you are interested please see the flyer link below:

Substitute Teacher Link

Late Start this Wednesday-  

The district will have a late start this Wednesday, February 2nd.  School will begin at 8:45 AM.

Lunch Next Week-

01/31/2022 - HOT DOG, FRENCH FRIES, FRUIT

02/01/2022 - ROTINI PASTA W/MARINARA OR MEAT SAUCE, GREEN BEANS, FRUIT

02/02/2022 - BREADED CHICKEN PATTY SANDWICH, POTATO WEDGES, FRUIT

02/03/2022 - GRILLED CHEESE, TOMATO SOUP, SALAD CUP, FRUIT

02/04/2022 - PEPPERONI CALZONE, STEAMED BROCCOLI, RICE, FRUIT

Quote of the Week-

Have a good Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 1-21-22

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Half Days next Wednesday (26th), Thursday (27th), and Friday (28th) -

As the semester comes to an end next week, we will have half days on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Dismissal for all three days is 11:00 AM.  Please have rides here no later than 11:15 AM.  

Tutoring next week - 

Tutoring will only be held on Tuesday next week at the High School.  Wednesday & Thursday tutoring is canceled due to the half days.

Sylas Keys Memorial Service -

The memorial service for Sylas Keys will be on Saturday, January 29th at the First Church of God in St. Joseph, MI at 11:00 AM.  The church is located on 2627 Niles Avenue.  Sylas was a beloved 7th grader who tragically passed in a car accident this past fall.

Sylas

Congratulations to our Spelling Bee Winners - 

After a record-setting 13 rounds for the Upton Spelling Bee held this past Tuesday, the following members will represent Upton Middle School at the Cloverleaf Spelling Bee on February 24. 

Congratulations to 

1. Pihu Sahai - 8th grade

2. Suprabha Singh - 6th grade 

3. Jianan Qu - 6th grade

 

The students worked very hard since October to learn spelling and vocabulary rules. Their hard work showed during the Spelling Bee.

Congratulations to all who participated and have been a part of the Upton Spelling team!

Pihu

Suprabha

Jianan

Girls Soccer Signups -

Attention all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls soccer players - Please fill out this form if you are interested in playing soccer this spring to help us determine how many teams we will have.

  https://forms.gle/Wfs2fbLmC5vWVuLLA

There will be a club fee to cover the cost of your jersey and ref fees. Practices can start the week of March 21st and our games will be played on weekdays between April 11th and May 26th. Please contact Sara Dawalt socceruptonmiddleschool@gmail.com with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you on the field!

No Late Start Next Wednesday (26th)-

We will not have a late start next week.  School will begin at 7:45 AM.

Lunch Next Week-

01/24/22 – BONELESS CHICKEN WINGS, FRENCH FRIES, FRUIT SELECTION

01/25/22 – BIG DADDY PEPPERONI OR CHEESE PIZZA, SALAD, FRUIT SELECTION

Boys & Girls Club-

Next week the Boys & Girls Club will ONLY meet from 11:00-2:00 on Friday in Room 407.  There is no after school program Wednesday or Thursday.  This is being offered only to students that are currently signed up.

End of the Semester -

Next Friday is the end of our 1st semester. 8th graders who have semester courses will be switching to their new class/classes on Monday, January 31st for the start of the 2nd semester. Those changes can be found in PowerSchool. We do not print off new schedules for Semester 2.

Quote of the week -

Have a good weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 1-14-22

 Dear Parents'Guardians,

No School This Monday, January 17th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

St. Joseph Public School students will not have school this Monday, January 17th in honor and remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

New Quarantine Guidelines for SJPS-

The district follows the protocols set forth by the Berrien County Health Department which are created based on guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

 

With a Universal Masking Requirement in place, SJPS abides by the following quarantine procedures: 

1. Fully Vaccinated students do NOT quarantine (even in close contact situation) unless symptoms

2. Unvaccinated students

• If exposure happens in classroom or bus, unvaccinated students do NOT quarantine (even in close contact situation) unless symptoms

• If a 2nd case is identified in a classroom within a 5 day period from the first the following quarantine options apply:

• Quarantine for 5 days past last day of exposure; or

• Remain in school by testing daily on days 1-6.

• If exposure happens outside of classroom or bus (i.e. lunch room or outside of school where masking not in place at time of contact) unvaccinated students quarantine for 5 days past last day of exposure

Here is a link to the letter that Mrs. Fee sent out this week:

LINK TO MRS. FEE'S LETTER

Attendance Calls-

If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the attendance line in the main office at 269-926-3400, option 1.  We prefer calls over emails please.  Students can communicate with their teachers for missing assignments, but absences need to be reported directly to the office.  Thank you.

Upton Bears Credit Union-

Upton Bears Student Credit Union is open every Tuesday during all lunch periods, outside the cafeteria. The Credit Union offers great incentives to promote good saving habits for students. All new members will receive $15 if they open their membership with at least $1 (membership forms are available at the Credit Union table or in the school office). All existing members will receive $5 for making their first deposit. There is a prize box so students can choose a prize with every deposit. Every deposit is entered into a monthly drawing to win a gift basket with a $25 Visa gift card. Every deposit is also entered into an annual drawing to win an iPad Mini at the end of the school year! Here is our December winner:

Bryant Jennings is our December winner

Lunch Next Week -

01/18/22 – CHEESEBURGER, FRENCH FRIES, FRUIT 

01/19/22 – BEEF AND CHEESE NACHOS, REFRIED BEANS, FRUIT 

01/20/22 – HOT HAM & CHEESE, CHEESY POTATOES, FRUIT

01/21/22 – PEPPERONI OR CHEESE PIZZA, CAESAR SALAD, FRUIT 

One Hour Delay on Jan. 19th-

We will have a one hour delay on Wednesday, January 19th.  Breakfast will be available beginning at 8:15 AM and school begins at 8:45 AM.

Quote of the week-

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 1-7-22

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Happy New Year -

The staff at Upton Middle School hopes you had a great break with your family!  Happy New Year and we look forward to a great rest of the school year!

A Great Endeavor -

St. Joseph Public Schools is proud to partner with the United Way of Southwest Michigan to create “Warm Hearts Kits” to support the members of our local community that are struggling with homelessness. 

In order to make this happen we are seeking your help. Please consider donating the following items January 12 - 19 in the school office. 

Hats

Gloves

Socks

Deodorant

Shampoo

Conditioner

Bar Soap

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Tissues

Chapstick

Feminine Hygiene Products

Thank you for your support! 

From the Guidance Department -

Our guidance department is always looking at ways to support our students, parents, and staff.  They welcome your input and are always here as a support for your daughter/son.  Here are a few resources you could take a few moments to look at:

SJPS Guidance Series for Jan. 2022

Guidance Resources Website Link

Please be careful! -

As the winter months are upon us, so are slippery roads.  Please be very cautious near Maiden Lane, Lincoln Avenue, and the Upton grounds.  Drive slow, take your time, and please watch out for our students.  Thanks for your part in this!

Community Corkboard -

Have you checked out the district community corkboard lately?  Here is a link to the page:

Community Corkboard Link

Winter NWEA Testing-

This month in your daughter/son's math and ELA classroom they will be taking the winter NWEA test as they did in the Fall.  We are hoping for continuous growth through the school year.  They will also take it one last time towards the end of the school year.

Lunch Next Week -

01/10/22 – MINI CORN DOGS, POTATO WEDGES, FRUIT 

01/11/22 – PEPPERONI CALZONE, RICE, MIXED VEGETABLES, FRUIT SELECTION

01/12/22 – FRENCH TOAST STICKS, HASH BROWN, SAUSAGE, FRUIT 

01/13/22 – PASTA W/MEAT OR MARINARA SAUCE, GREEN BEANS, BREADSTICK, FRUIT SELECTION

01/14/22 – BOSCO STICKS, MARINARA SAUCE, CAESAR SALAD, FRUIT SELECTION 

Stay home with symptoms-

With the huge surge of COVID cases in Berrien County we are just reminding families to please make sure their son/daughter does not come to school if they are not feeling well.  

Test-to-Stay COVID-19 testing for eligible quarantined teachers, staff, and students is available at the SJPS Central Office located at 2580 Cleveland Avenue from 6:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. each weekday.

Late Start next Wednesday-

Next Wednesday, January 12th the district will have a late start.  School will begin at 8:45 AM at Upton.  Breakfast will be available beginning at 8:15 AM.

Quote of the week-

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Mandarino