Mandarino Minutes: October 2022

Friday, October 28, 2022

Mandarino Minutes for 10-28-22

Dear Upton Middle School Families,

Wonderful Band Concert -

This past Tuesday evening our 7th and 8th grade bands put on a wonderful Fall Concert! Mr. Doe, Mrs. Cabanilla-Sinnett and the A.I.R.'s have done a phenomenal job working with our bands.

Halloween on Monday-

Students may dress up on Monday. Masks, weapons and fake blood are not allowed. Thank you for your cooperation!

Parent-Teacher Conferences-

We will be returning to face-to-face conferences (open house style) this year at the high school on Thursday, November 10th. They will be located in the Student Center (cafeteria area) at St Joseph High School, with the following times: 12:30-4:00pm and 5:30-8:30pm

8th Grade Field Trip This Week-

Yesterday and today our 8th graders went on a field trip to Sarett Nature Center and the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery to kickoff their Salmon in the Classroom project for the school year.

Students of the Week-

Upton staff votes each week on students that go above and beyond in the

classroom.

This week’s students of the week are:

Austin Burnette, Bella Mandarino, Chase Bingaman

*This is also found on Twitter at @SJUptonBears.

Science Olympiad -

Science Olympiad is starting! The Regional Competition is Friday, March 3. We will accept applications until November 4, 2022, at 3 pm! Do not wait until the last minute to get your application in! Science Olympiad is open to all 6, 7, & 8th graders and 9th graders who competed as 8th graders last year. To apply, please contact Mrs. Kietzerow at kkietzerow@sjschools.org.

Vision Screening November 4th-

ALL 7th graders will receive FREE Vision Screening on Friday, November 4th through the Berrien County Health Department. This is offered each year to all 7th graders. Half sheets are coming Monday with students. Please fill out the pink half sheet and have your student return it to their 1st hour teacher by Thursday, November 3rd. Thank you for your cooperation.

Upton Bears Student Credit Union -

The Upton Bears Student Credit Union has reopened and is open every Tuesday during the students lunchtime. Below is a picture from the grand re-opening on Tuesday.

Educator Of The Week -

Upton Soccer -

Upton Soccer Club is offering an open field for both boys and girls, Thursdays after school until 4:00pm, weather permitting. If the temperature is above 45° and not raining, we will have open field. Join REMIND by texting 81010 and putting @of2223 in the body to be notified when we have open field and when we don't. Bring friends and water, wear shin guards and come have fun playing soccer!

*Any questions, please email Sara Dawalt at : socceruptonmiddleschool@gmail.com

Upton Wrestling -

Basketball for 6th graders -

Basketball Link

Lunch Next Week-

Monday - Mini corn dogs, french fries

Tuesday - Cheese quesadilla, refried beans, corn

Wednesday - Boneless chicken wings, dinner roll, cheesy potatoes

Thursday - Rotini pasta with meat or marinara sauce, broccoli, dinner roll

Friday - Cheese bosco sticks with marinara, caesar salad

*Hot lunch includes choice of milk, fruit and salad bar*

To see the full school menu, go to: https://sjschools.org/upton-middle-school/food-services/upton-lunch-menu

Late Start Wednesday Reminder-

This Wednesday is a late start. School begins at 8:45 am. Buses run an hour late. Doors open at 8:15 am.

Quote of the Week -

Have a great Friday and weekend! Go Bears - beat the Pioneers!

Mr. Mandarino

Friday, October 21, 2022

Mandarino Minutes for 10-21-22

Dear Upton Middle School Families,

Powerful Assembly Today -

This morning our students had the opportunity to hear and learn from Daniel Ament. It was a powerful assembly and important message. I would ask your daughter/son to tell you more about it!

UMS Students of the Week -

Upton staff votes each week on students that go above and beyond in the classroom. This week’s students of the week are:

Oliver Strait, Micah Maier and Thomas Rennhack

*This is also found on Twitter at @SJUptonBears.

Unity Day at Upton-

Our students in advisory on Wednesday had a discussion on being a good Upton citizen, anti-bullying education, being a bystander that takes action to assist getting someone assistance, and students participated in activities. Our students signed a banner to indicate their commitment to this. This was a national day (as I put in last week's blog post) and the whole month is also dedicated to this.

This Coming Week at Upton-

Bear Pride recipients this week-

Two Weeks from Today-

The first marking period ends on Friday, November 4th. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, November 10th. More information will follow soon on conferences.

Chess Club a Huge Success-

We had so many students participate in chess club this week! It was a new record with 40 students matching their wits on the board!

Wednesday Late Start-

We will have a late start next Wednesday, October 26th. School begins at 8:45 AM with breakfast available at 8:15 AM. Buses also run one hour later.

Hot Lunch Next Week -

Monday - Cheeseburger on a bun and french fries

Tuesday - Mac and cheese, green beans, dinner roll

Wednesday - Cheese Bosco Sticks w/Marinara

Thursday - Mashed potatoes & gravy, popcorn chicken and corn

Friday - Cheese/Pepperoni French Bread Pizza & Caesar Salad

*All hot lunches are served with choice of milk, fruit, and salad bar.

Quote of the week -

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Friday, October 14, 2022

Mandarino Minutes for 10-14-22

Dear Upton Middle School Families,

Unity Day next Wednesday -

Every year on the third or fourth Wednesday in October, a very special event comes around — the Day of Unity, or Unity Day, as it is commonly called, which is celebrated on October 19 this year. This is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month, also celebrated in October. Multiple anti-bullying campaigns — of which Unity Day is one of them, are organized during this period. The key message of this month, and this day, is to unite for kindness, courage, and inclusion, to prevent students from being bullied.

THANK YOU! -

A HUGE thank you to our parents for donating coffee/snacks for the staff lounge! We appreciate your gifts of treats for our staff!

Football Game Behavior-

We have had discussions with our students about behavior at home football games and we are hoping also for you to have conversations about this to help support us as well.

The following are prohibited:

Playing behind the stadium (football, tag, etc.)
Standing on bleachers
Throwing items at people or over the top of the stadium
Roaming around the stadium throughout the game
Leaning over the edges of the sides/back of the stadium

We want students to enjoy the game, each other, and have a good time within these parameters.

Assembly Next Friday, Oct. 21st-

We will have an assembly on the dangers of vaping at 9:00 AM with the whole student body in the Blue Gym next Friday. Daniel Ament hit the national news a few years ago and will be here to share his story with our students (See the link below). We think this has the potential to be a very powerful assembly! Thanks to Mrs. Byerle for all her coordination with this!

Here is the link for Daniel's story: https://youtu.be/Tp8CZ4UKSM8

Students of the Week -

Upton staff votes each week on students that go above and beyond in the classroom. This week’s students of the week are: Ronnie Bolt, Kyle Robbins, Shelby Lawrence

*This is also found on Twitter at @SJUptonBears.

Art Journaling Club -

Below is an opportunity for an art journaling club at UMS. If your daughter/son is interested see the picture. If you need a partial or full scholarship, please reach out to Mrs. Mulliner at Vmulliner@sjschools.org.

Junior Bear Cheer Camp-

My name is Coach Kelsie and along with Coach Anna, we are the Varsity and Junior Varsity Sideline Head Coaches and Rocket Cheer Program Directors. If you missed your opportunity to join Rocket Cheer this year or if you participated in Rocket or Middle School Cheer and are not ready for the season to be over just yet, we have wonderful news for you!! Varsity and Junior Varsity Sideline Cheer will be hosting a Junior Bear Cheer Camp October 25th and 27th. Additionally, the Junior Bear Cheerleaders will be invited to cheer during the 1st Quarter of the first Playoff Game at SJHS!!

Camp Dates: October 25th and 27th

Time: 6-7pm

Location: Saint Joseph High School - Back Gym in the Fieldhouse

Game: Exact Day is TBD but it will be either October 28th or 29th - Kickoff is at 7pm and Junior Bear Cheerleaders will make the tunnel and cheer during the 1st quarter. Please arrive by 6:40pm to check-in under the tunnel and dress warm!

Program Investment: $55 - covers camp, game, and team bow

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/XHFGg3GLRrMGior18

Registration is currently open and will close on 10/24.

Payments must be given directly to Varsity Sideline Cheer Coaches or mailed to 4722 Vince Court, Saint Joseph, MI. Checks must be made out to Saint Joseph Public Schools.

Junior Bear Cheer is open to those in Kindergarten through 8th grade!

Let's fill up the Sidelines at our first playoff game with all our Junior and Future Bears so we can cheer loudly and bring home another WIN!! We hope to see you soon and please feel free to pass along this information to your friends! Please reach out if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Coach Kelsie and Coach Anna