Mandarino Minutes: April 2022

Friday, April 29, 2022

Mandarino Minutes for 4-29-22

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Testing is completed! -

With the exception of make-up testing our 6th-8th graders are done with M-Step and NWEA testing for the 2021-2022 school year. Results of the NWEA tests will be sent home later in the school year and we will alert you when they are coming home. M-Step results are returned from the Michigan Department of Education. We appreciated you encouraging your son/daughter to do their best!

Teacher Appreciation Week -

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week starting May 2 - 6. National Teacher Appreciation Day is May 4th. Show your teachers how much you and your child appreciates them by sending an email, writing a card, etc. We truly have a great teaching staff that loves their students!

Salmon Release Days for 8th graders-

On May 3rd and May 5th all 8th graders will be heading to Watervliet for their Salmon Release Day. This will be a day where 8th graders will also participate in various science activities & skills. The salmon have been in the science classrooms since an egg and are now ready for release. Thanks to our science teachers and Dr. St. Amand for their help in making this possible!

Moving? -

If you are planning to move within the district before the start of next school year or if you are moving out of district and not attending SJPS next year, please call the Upton office at 926-3400.

5th graders visiting -

Our 5th graders in SJPS will be visiting next Tuesday, May 3rd and Thursday, May 5th to have an orientation day. It is a day of nervousness and excitement rolled into one. The students will tour the school, hear about the different electives, eat lunch, ask questions, and more. We are excited to be able to do this in person again!

Late Start next Wednesday -

The district has a late start next Wednesday, May 4th. School will begin at 8:45 AM and breakfast will be available at 8:15 AM.

School of Choice Window Opens -

The school of choice window for SJPS will open this Monday, May 2nd. The information to complete this process can be found on the SJPS webpage.

“Money for Mattox” fundraiser-

Mattox Williams is a freshman at St. Joseph High School who is currently battling cancer. Mattox has a great personality, attitude, and is all-around a wonderful young man. We are having an advisory/homeroom competition to see which class can collect the most money. The winning class (the one who raises the most money) will receive a pizza or donut party. We are running the competition starting May 9th through May 27. All the money collected will go to Mattox and his family.

Seussical Jr. May 14th at Upton-

Cinco de Mayo, May 5th-

In the US, Mexican-Americans started observing Cinco de Mayo during the Civil War as a way to celebrate their heritage. Although many use Cinco de Mayo as another day to celebrate today, the holiday is an opportunity to celebrate Mexican identity, promote ethnic consciousness, and build community solidarity.

Lunch Next Week -

5/2/2022 – CHEESEBURGER, POTATO WEDGES, SALAD CUP, FRUIT

5/3/2022 – HOT HAM & CHEESE, BAKED CHIPS, CARROT STICKS, FRUIT

5/4/2022 – POPCORN CHICKEN, MASHED POTATOES, CORN, FRUIT

5/5/2022 – CHICKEN PATTY SANDWICH, HASH BROWN, SALAD CUP, FRUIT

5/6/2022 – BOSCO STICKS/DIPPING SAUCE, STEAMED VEGGIE, FRUIT

Quote of the week -

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Friday, April 22, 2022

Mandarino Minutes for 4-22-22

Parents/Guardians,

End of Rotation 4-

Today is the end of rotation 4 and rotation 5 will begin on Monday, April 25th for all 6th & 7th graders.

Dance tonight-

Here are a few things about the dance this evening at Upton:

Open to all 6th-8th graders
Upton students only (No outside students from other schools)
Admission is $3
The dance starts at 5:30 PM and ends at 7:30 PM. (Please make sure rides are here promptly!)
Snacks will be available for purchase

NWEA Testing Next Week -

Our annual Spring NWEA testing will take place next week. This is where we see the growth from Fall to Spring. On Tuesday, April 26th the students will be the reading assessment and on Thursday, April 28th the math assessment. We do those first thing in the morning, so please make sure your daughter/son is to school on time. Thanks!

Self Care Series with the Guidance Dept.-

The Guidance Department will be offering a Self Care Series for all grade levels during GO time on Wednesdays & Fridays for the remainder of the school year. Each session we will cover a new coping skill to help manage stress & anxiety in a healthy way. Students will have the opportunity to practice this coping skill through a hands-on activity that is fun, engaging, and practical. Some examples include making stress balls, breathing bracelets, art journaling, and more! If you think this is something your student would be interested in, please have them join us in the Conference Room during GO time. We are able to accommodate 15 students per session.

UPTO Meeting and Election-

Please note the Upton PTO general meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, April 28th at 1 pm in the Upton Conference Room. In this meeting we will present and vote for the new UPTO board members for the 2022-2023 school year. All are welcome.

UPTO Executive Board Members for the 2022-2023 school year:

Co-Presidents

Marc Peremans

Gretchen Panicucci

Co-Vice President

Kelly Roche

Dipali Shingrut

Secretary

Bonnie Goodwin- returning

Treasurer

TBD

Congratulations Art Students-

Congratulations to the following art students who recently won awards at the Krasl/Box Factory Community Art Show-

Juhi Bhatt - BRESA Award

Emilia Fette - 2nd Place Sculpture

Maile Allen - 1st Place Animation

Cora Miller - 2nd Place Animation

Kiera Sims - 3rd Place Animation

Juhi Bhatt's BRESA Award

Emilia Fette's Sculpture

Congratulations for Qualifying! -

Olivia Dupre (8th grader) & Kate Fonua (7th grader), have earned the opportunity to represent Team Michigan in the upcoming Regional Gymnastics competition in Kentucky on the weekend of April 29. We wish them good luck on their competition!

Late Start Next Week-

The district will have a late start next week. School will begin at 8:45 AM. Breakfast will be available beginning at 8:15 AM.

Mr. Jeffers' Messages-

I hope you have had a chance to read Mr. Jeffers' texts and emails regarding pickup and drop-off at Upton Middle School. We are just wanting you to practice safe procedures for student safety. If time is of the essence, please leave a few minutes earlier. The process goes much smoother when we cooperate. Thanks for your attention to this!

Lunch Next Week-

Mon.- Hotdog, French Fries, Carrots, Fruit

Tues.- Boneless Chicken Wings, Rice, Broccoli, Fruit

Wed.- Rotini Pasta (Marinara or Meat), Green Beans, Breadstick, and Fruit

Thur.- Crispitos, Refried Beans, Fruit

Fri.- Pizza, Corn, Carrots, Fruit

Quote of the week-

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Mandarino Minutes for 4-14-22

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Testing Schedule for Upton Students-

Here are the testing schedules for all students for the month of April. Please write these on your calendars and make sure students are rested and well hydrated when they come to school on these days. We appreciate your support.

M-STEP

ALL Virtual and In Person Students

Tues April 19 M-STEP for all students

6th and 7th graders taking the English portion

8th graders taking the Science portion

**We will begin at the start of 1st hour

ALL Virtual and In Person Students

Thursday April 21 M-STEP for all students

6th and 7th graders taking the Math portion

8th graders taking the Social Studies portion

**We will begin at the start of 1st hour

NWEA

Tues April 26 NWEA Reading for the whole school

**We will begin at the start of 1st hour

Thurs April 28 NWEA Math for the whole school

**We will begin at the start of 1st hour

Buchanan Art Show-

These students (see below) from Upton took ALL 5 places at the Community Art Show held at the Buchanan Art Center! Mr. Fralick could not be more proud of the work that his students have created this year. Congratulations art students!

1st Place - Alivia Kuhlmann

2nd Place - Arienna Bowen

3rd Place - Tania Singh

Honorable Mention - Fiona Rusk

Honorable Mention - Logan Withrow

Spring Sports-

Forms are needed for Spring Sports and athletic participation. Go to our website for more information:

https://sjschools.org/upton-athletics-overview/forms-needed-for-participation

Boys Beach Volleyball Club-

Attention all boys in 7th and 8th Grade! Upton is starting a Boys Beach Volleyball Club Team. If interested in learning more about it and signing up to play, please attend an informational meeting next Tuesday, April 19 right after school until 3:30 in the Maize Gymnasium. Mrs. Smothers will be the advisor and coach for the team. Contact her with any questions. Ssmothers@sjschools.org

Dance next Friday for 6th-8th graders-

We will have a dance next Friday, April 22nd from 5:30-7:30 Pm for all students in grades 6th -8th grade. The cost is $4 for admittance and snacks will be available for purchase as well.

Rotation 4 Ends-

Rotation 4 ends Friday, 4/22 and Rotation 5 begins Monday, 4/25th for all of our 6th & 7th graders.

Salmon in the Classroom-

Our 8th grade classes will be particpating in the salmon in the classroom field trip the first week in May. Here are the dates of the different science classes:

May 3rd- Mrs. Francis science classes, Mrs. MacKellar's 5th hour, and Mrs. Milletics 5th hour

May 5th- Mrs. Foster's classes, and Mrs. MacKellar's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hour classes

From the Desk of the Guidance Department-

Please click on this link for the latest guidance department update: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UutHyltTlfdqRlCQEozXYyluRZwWRj3Z1aH-JN9S4wI/edit

For additional information from the department here is another link: Upton Updates From Your Guidance Department

Late Start Next Wednesday-

Next Wednesday, April 20th is a late start. School begins at 8:45am. Buses run an hour later. Breakfast is available starting at 8:15am.

Community Night at Upton’s Planetarium-

“Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity” Wednesday, April 20th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Admission is free.

Washington DC 2023- for 7th grade parents only!

**Parent meeting April 21st at 6:00pm**

Upton Credit Union winner for March-

Upton Bears Student CU is open every Tuesday during all lunch periods, outside the cafeteria. Upton Bears Student CU 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 Upton Bears Student CU table or in the school office). All existing members will receive $5 for making their first deposit at Upton Bears Student CU. 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!