Mandarino Minutes for 11-18-22

 Dear Upton Middle School Families,

No School Nov. 23-27th- 

No school next Wednesday, November 23 - Friday, November 25th for Thanksgiving Break. There will also not be a blog post next week. We wish your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

An Upton Middle School Tradition -

The day before Thanksgiving break has been a longstanding tradition of students and staff dressing nice to signify all that we are thankful for. The tradition will continue this school year. We have students that dress as if they were going to a wedding, a job interview they really want, etc.

Congratulations All-State Selections-

Musicians in grades 7-12 all over the state of Michigan audition to be selected to perform in the MSBOA (Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association) All-State groups. These two young men will perform with the all-state orchestra.

 

Please congratulate the following Upton MS students for making MS All-State Orchestra this year:

 

Albert Pham - 8th grade viola

 

Owen Wingate - 8th grade viola

 

*Honorable Mention:

Patrick Pham - 7th grade violin 

 

If someone who has placed is not able to participate, Patrick could be invited to play. His name will still appear in the official program.

Albert Pham

Owen Wingate

Patrick Pham

No Printed Report Cards -

The first marking period ended November 4th.  At the middle school and high school we do not print hard copies of report cards at the end of each quarter.  The grades can be viewed in PowerSchool as of November 5th for the 1st marking period. At the end of the school year a hard copy report card will be mailed home that has a summary of the whole year.

Students of the Week at Upton-

Congratulations to Luna Francis, Karthik Bhatt, and Austin Poole on being nominated and selected as Upton Middle School students of the week.

Educator of the Week -

Congratulations to Mrs. Robynne Southern as being selected the Upton Middle School educator of the week!  Mrs. Southern put a ton of time into career day 2022.  This day would not have been possible without her many hours of dedication!

Astronomy Students -

Astronomy students designed & built "Mars Landers". Students were trying to get their landers to touch down softly and keep the raw egg inside from breaking.

Joe Bots -

The Joe Bots had a great meet at Lakeview Middle School this past weekend! Team #8513 Joe Bots-Maize is ranked 10th in the competition. They were the first team selected in the semi-final. Team #11855 Joe Bots-Blue is ranked 11th. Team #13702 Joe Bots-White brought home the Finalist Alliance Award! They received an invitation to compete at the State competition on December 16-17, 2022, in Grand Rapids. More importantly than match points and awards, all our Joe Bots exemplified Gracious Professionalism by cheering for every team, helping each other, and having fun. All three teams will compete on Saturday, December 10, at the Coloma Qualifier. Come out to cheer on your 2022-23 Joe Bots! Opening ceremonies begin around 10:30 a.m. The Joe Bot robots Blizzard, Mini Maizy, and Vaccinium will compete in qualification matches throughout the day. If you are unable to attend in person, the meets are live streamed on Twitch at TheOrangeAlliance3. 

Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JoeBots8513

Interact Club News-

Water Only Please -

Please note that we are a water only school in the classrooms.  We have seen an uptick in coffee drinks, gatorade, energy drinks entering the classrooms.  Please just send water only with your daughter/son.  Thanks for your support of this!

Spirit Wear Store - 

The St. Joe All School Spirit Wear Store is now open thru midnight on Sunday, Nov. 20th. Delivery before Christmas is expected. 

 

https://sjapparel22.itemorder.com/shop/home/

    

 

The Official St. Joseph Wrestling Store is also open through Sunday, Nov. 20th at midnight. Early-mid December delivery expected. 

All wrestling proceeds will be donated to St. Joseph Wrestling Boosters. 

 

https://stjoehswrestling22.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Dates to Remember -

*November 23 - 25 Thanksgiving Break

*November 30th - Next Late Start

*December 6 - 6th grade band & orchestra "informance" concerts at Upton in the Blue Gym 6pm

*December 9 - Upton Dance at 5:30 in the Blue Gym

*December 13 - HS & Upton Band Holiday Concert at 7pm at the John & Dede Auditorium- SJHS

*December 14 - Planetarium Community Night "Hot & Energetic Universe"

*December 20 - Upton Holiday Choir and Orchestra Concert at 7pm at the John & Dede Auditorium- SJHS

*December 21 - 1 hour late start

*December 23 - Winter Break begins

Mamma Mia! Tickets Still Available -

If you are interested in Mamma Mia tickets to this weekend's performances tonight at 7:00 PM or Saturday at 2:00 PM or 7:00 PM here is the link:

Mamma Mia Ticket Link

B.O.P. Fundraiser -

Lunch Next Week -

Monday- Cheeseburger, Chips, fruit

Tuesday- Cheese Bosco sticks with marinara, carrot coins, fruit

Quote of the Week -

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-11-22

 Dear Upton Middle School Families,

Thanks for Coming -

We so appreciate your attendance yesterday afternoon/evening at parent-teacher conferences. Thanks also for stopping by the Berrien County Health Department's mock bedroom, Hidden in Plain Sight. It was a great time to meet many of you! As always, please feel free to reach out to your daughter/son's teachers anytime during the school year.

Hidden in Plain Sight Mock Bedroom

Career Day Today-

Today we had around 45 speakers at Upton to present for Career Day 2022! The speakers did a wonderful job telling the students what they do, what it takes to pursue their career, fielded questions, and many had hands on activities. We so appreciate the many parents who were presenters today! Thanks to our magnificent guidance department for the time put in to make this day possible!

Stuff A Truck (November 10th-21st) -

Families that would like to donate should bring their items to their Advisory. The Advisory with the most items will win a donut party from Student Council!

Builders Club (Sponsored by the

Kiwanis Club) -

Upton Middle School Builders club made cards for Veterans attending the Veteran’s day breakfast at SJHS. We also want to thank Mr. Sam Wallace for his time serving our country as well!

NHS Tutoring Procedure Reminder -

Reminder that NHS tutoring is every Tuesday and Thursday at the high school.  Students MUST come to the Upton office in the morning, before noon, to get an Academic Study Session slip.  This slip is filled out and signed by your student’s teacher, then returned to the office.  This all must be completed by noon.  This slip serves as a bus pass to the high school and pass into tutoring.  Students without passes cannot ride the bus to the high school or attend tutoring.  If you have any questions on this, please contact the Upton office at 269-926-3400. 

Wednesday tutoring is at Upton Middle School in the media center until 4:00 PM and the student can just show up for assistance.

After School reminder -

Students may NOT stay after school for school events.  We have events that start at 4:30, 5:00, and later. Students must go home and return for the event.  Students may ONLY stay after school with a teacher, tutoring on Wednesdays, at a club event, or if they are registered at the Boys and Girls Club.

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: 

Noah Shine (8th), Jack Johansen (7th), Taylor Spitale (6th)

Educator of the Week -

Yearbook -

The deadline to order a yearbook for $35 with a name stamp ends on Wed Nov 30th. Starting December 1st there will be no more name stamps available and prices will increase to $40.

 

 

 

8th Grade Parents!-

 If any 8th grade parent has a cute digital baby picture of their child, we would love to use it for the 8th grade baby picture page for the yearbook. Please email them directly to Mrs. Byerle at mbyerle@sjschools.org 

NO half day for Upton-

Next Friday, November 18th, is a half day for elementary students ONLY.  Upton has a full day of school.

November Tween Program for 6th graders at the Maud Preston Memorial Library -

Lunch Next Week -

Monday - Hot Ham & Cheese

Tuesday - Turkey Subs

Wednesday - Nachos with beef & cheese

Thursday -Hot dog, Baked beans, French fries

Friday - Grilled Cheese sandwich, Tomato or Chicken Noodle soup, Goldfish crackers

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

Late Start Next Wednesday-

The district has a late start next Wednesday, November 16th. School begins at 8:45 AM and breakfast is available at 8:15 AM. Buses will also run one hour later.

Quote of the Week -

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino