Mandarino Minutes for 4-9-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Welcome Back-
I hope your family had a wonderful Spring break!  It was a great time to get recharged.  This last marking period is the quickest of the school year.  Please help us out by stressing the importance of working hard until the end of the school year.  

Self Care Series-
Over Spring break the resource signs were posted in the bathrooms at Upton Middle School and St. Joseph High School.  These were the signs that were highlighted in the SJPS Self-Care Series in February in an email that Mrs. Cardon sent out to the parents in the district.  Here is the link to that pdf:   https://www.sjschools.org/images/District/SelfCareSeries1.pdf

M-Step starts this week-
8th grade M-Step starts on Wednesday with three days of ELA.  Next week will be 8th grade Math M-Step, and the week of the 23rd will be 8th grade social studies and science M-Step.  6th and 7th grade M-Step starts April 30th with Math.  I will give an heads up again in a future blog of upcoming testing.  Please make sure that you encourage your daughter/son to do their best!

Chaperones for 8th grade Salmon in the Classroom Trip-
On April 24th all of Mrs. Francis classes and Mrs. Foster/Spriegel's 4th hour and on April 26th all of Mrs. MacKellar's and Mrs. Foster/Spriegel's 5th hour will be attending the Salmon Release Day field trip in Watervliet.  It is a fun day of science experiments, and releasing the salmon.  We are looking for a few more chaperones.  If you are able please email the following teachers:
jfrancis@sjschools.org  (If you son/daughter is going on Tuesday) ; amackellar@sjschools.org  (If you son/daughter is going on Thursday)

Dungeons and Dragons Club this Wednesday-
The Upton Dungeons and Dragons club will end at 4:30 PM this Wednesday, April 11th.

Please be careful in the morning!!!-
I have put this in the blog before, but we really need your help in driving safely during drop-off in the morning.  Please use caution, please do not cut out of line, and please keep your speed down.  We also ask that you please do not drop your kids off in the middle of Lincoln Avenue or Maiden Lane.  When it is dark it is hard to see students darting across the road.  Please take a few extra minutes and leave a little earlier if your schedule is tight.

No Late Start this week-
The district does not have a late start this Wednesday, April 11th.  

Quote of the week-
"Memories of our lives, of our works, and our deeds will continue in others."  - Rosa Parks

Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 3-26-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,

3rd Marking Period over this Thurs., March 29
The third marking period ends this Thursday, March 29th.  Final grades for this marking period will be posted on PowerSchool on Tuesday, April 10th (after Spring break).




Easter Collection for a great cause-
Since kindergarten sixth grader, Cecilia Ruchti has been collecting items for those who get very little to nothing at Easter time.  We are asking for the following items:  candy, stuffed animals, and new toys like: chalk, bubbles, etc.  They collect for infants through teenage kids. Teens like candy, bags of chips, and cards.  CeCe's family will be distributing these items to the Emergency Shelter,  and Women's Safety Shelter both located in Benton Harbor. Donation boxes will be in the Upton office through Thursday, March 29th.

Tennis meeting Wednesday, March 28th-
Just a reminder that Upton will have a parent information meeting for student interested in the Upton Tennis Club beginning at 5:30 PM in the cafeteria/auditorium.   For more information please email Joe Stants at :   tennisupton@gmail.com 

Pennies for Patients March Madness-
Please continue to send in their change for our March Madness Pennies for Patient challenge.  We have narrowed down to 2 classes/grade level and we are going into the last week.  Even if your student’s class has been “knocked out”, they still have an opportunity to contribute to the remaining teams.   Thursday, 3/29 is the last day to donate and a winner will be announced for each grade level on Friday.

In the finals (all first hour classes):
6th grade- Maier vs. Nicholson 
7th grade- Bacolor vs. Gressley
8th grade- Engleman vs. Hunnell

Wonderful Concerts last week-
Thanks for attending the wonderful choir and orchestra concerts last week!  It is really amazing to see the talent we have in our performing arts department!  

Leaving Early for Spring Break?-
Please notify Mrs. Conway at 926-3401 or have your daughter/son bring in a note in the morning to Mrs. Conway if your Spring break plans take you out of St. Joseph early.  We appreciate your help!

Dates to Remember-
March 28th-  6th grade Ice cream Celebration for March is reading month.
March 29th-  8th grader select books for Staff-Student read
March 30th-  Dismissal at 11:04 AM
March 30th-  Photo Contest deadline for the Foundation.  Here is the link:  http://www.stjosephpublicschoolsfoundation.org/Photo-Contest.html
April 9th-  Return from Spring Break

Quote of the week-

Have a wonderful Spring break,
Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 3-19-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Phenomenal Variety Show-
Friday night was an awesome variety show!  The talent was incredible, and the students had a lot of fun.  A special thanks to our director,  Joanne Schrock & assistant director Sandy Krieg.

The crew from Cabinet Battle #2

String Spectacular Tomorrow-
Tomorrow night,  Tuesday, March 20th will be the Spring Spectacular beginning at 7:00 PM at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium.  

Choir Concert this Thursday-
This Thursday, March 22nd will be the 6th-12th grade choir concert beginning at 7:00 PM at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium. 

Spirit Week This Week-

Monday- Senior Citizen Day

Tuesday- Pajama Day

Wednesday- Favorite Character Day

Thursday- Throwback Day

Friday- Workout Wear Day

Please be careful!!!! -

Please be careful in the drop-off line in the morning.  Please do not be in a hurry!  We have had a few parents passing cars and this gets very dangerous.  The safety of the students should be on your mind every morning.

7th and 8th grade track begins tomorrow-

Track practice will begin for all 7^th and 8^th graders on Tuesday, March 20.  Practice will begin at 3:00 and runners will be ready for pick up at 4:00.  In order to run, students must have a physical on file in the office.  Practice before break will be on the 20^th, 21^st, 27^th, and 28^th.  After break, we practice every day after school.  Students need to come to practice prepared to run, both indoors and out.  (weather depending)  We will have a parent meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at 4:30 in the auditorium.

Leaving Early for Spring Break?-

If your family is leaving early for Spring break, please let the Upton office know ahead of time.  Thanks for your help with this!

Girls Soccer still accepting signups-

We are still accepting signups for girls soccer.  Please go to this link if your daughter is interested in the Upton girls soccer club:  

https://goo.gl/forms/Jt9nz64cct2JY1322

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Aaron Soule at:

uptonmiddleschoolsoccer@gmail.com

3 Successful Lockdown drills-

Upton this past week has now completed 3 very successful lockdown drills.  All of these drills were under the supervision of our local law enforcement agencies.  This drill last week was done during a passing time.  The students and staff did an excellent job!

3rd Marking Period ends Thursday, March 29-

The third marking period will come to a week on Thursday, March 29th. It really is hard to believe that we are almost 3/4 of the way through the school year!

UPTO this Thursday, March 22nd-

The March UPTO meeting will be this Thursday, March 22nd at noon in the Upton conference room.  Please check in at the office.

Friday, March 30th is a half day-

Dismissal on Friday, March 30th will be at 11:04 AM.  This will mark the start of Spring break.  School will resume on Monday, April 9th.

Thanks Interact Club for the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast-
Thanks to our Interact Club for a wonderful breakfast that was served on Friday for St. Patrick's Day!  It was delicious and very thoughtful!  The staff really enjoyed it!

Photo Contest ends March 30th-

The SJPS Foundation photo contest ends on March 30th.  Click here for more details:  SJPS Foundation Photo Contest

The Penny War continues-
The pennies for patients continues at Upton.  The homerooms are competing in a March Madness bracket to see who can bring the most loose change to benefit cancer.

Quote of the week-
"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things." - Henry Ward Beecher

Have a great week, 
Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 3-12-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Variety Show this Friday-

The UMS Variety Show will take place this Friday at 6:30 P.M. in the Upton Auditorium.  Our students have practiced hard and it should be a wonderful show!

Signup for Girls Soccer at Upton-

Please go to this link if your daughter is interested in the Upton girls soccer club:  

https://goo.gl/forms/Jt9nz64cct2JY1322

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Aaron Soule at:

uptonmiddleschoolsoccer@gmail.com

Science Olympiad-

For the 9th straight year, Coach Kietzerow and her amazing mentors (including our science department) have taken first place at the regional competition for Science Olympiad. 

Here are the winners:

6^th Grade

Ezekiel Brown – 3rd in Anatomy, 3rd in Mystery Architecture, and 2^nd in Ecology

Tanvi Gaikwad – 3^rd in Anatomy, 1^st in Tower building, 1^st in Meteorology

Caleb Boersen – 1^st Battery Buggy, 6^th in Herpetology, and 7^th Dynamic Planet

Beth Paine – 2^nd Crime Busters, 3^rd in Write It Do It, and 2^nd in Ecology

Daela Coleman – 7^th Dynamic Planet, 3^rd Mystery Architecture, and 3^rd in Potions and Poisons

7^th Grade:

Harshdeep Kaur – 3^rd in Disease Detectives, 1^st Towers, 1^st Experimental Design

Andrew Barazotto – 1^st Experimental Design, 1^st Meteorology, and 4^th Wright Stuff

John Norland – 6^th Herpetology, 3^rd in Potions and Poisons, and 6^th Rollercoaster

Riya Jain – 1^st Microbe Mission, 4^th Wright Stuff, and 1^st in Optics

8^th Grade:

Nick Strickler – 1^st Battery Buggy, 1^st Solar System, and 3^rd in Thermodynamics

Drew Kelleher – 2^nd Crime Busters, 3^rd in Hovercraft, and 6^th in Rollercoaster

Hiranmayi Midithuri – 3^rd in Disease Detectives, 3^rd Thermodynamics, 1^st Experimental Design

Joe Paine – 1^st Fast Facts, 3^rd Hovercraft, 2^nd Road Scholar, and 3^rd in Write It Do It

Katherine Paloyan – 2^nd Road Scholar, 3^rd Rocks and Minerals, and 1^st Solar system

9^th Grade:

George Weber:  1^st Fast Facts, 3^rd Rocks and Minerals, 1st Microbe Mission, and 1^st in Optics

3 great alternates who helped the team prepare:  Delaney Kelley, Nandish Dixit and Ani Ale.

Successful Week at Band & Orchestra Festival-

Our band and orchestra instructors were happy and proud of our kids this week!  8th grade band completes the festival week this afternoon.  7th grade band got a 2 overall.  They got a mixed bag of A-, B+, and B’s from the judges which gave them an overall rating of a 2.  The 7th grade orchestra got straight 1’s .  The 8th grade orchestra got two 1’s and a 2 in performance, division 1 in sight reading with an overall final rating of 1.  All orchestras and bands were also great representatives behavior wise as well at LMC.

SJPS Foundation Photo Contest-
Click here for the Photo contest information:  Photo Contest Details
The winning photos will be in the SJPS calendar and some fun prizes as well.

Upton Guidance Blog-
Have you visited the Upton Middle School Guidance Blog in awhile?  See their latest update that includes our March Madness Penny War for Pennies for Patients, and also great parent resource articles.  Click here:  UMS GUIDANCE BLOG

Leaving early for Spring Break?-
If your family is leaving early for Spring Break, could you please let the Upton office know in advance.  A note to Mrs. Conway is the best way to inform us.  Thanks so much for doing this!

Board of Education Meeting Monday at Brown Elementary Media Center-

A board of education meeting will take place tonight at 

6:00 P.M. in the Brown Elementary School Media Center.

Quote of the week-

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 3-5-18

Dear Parents/Guardians,


A Great Day at the National History Regionals at WMU-
Congratulations to our State qualifiers for the National History Day State Championships that will be held on April 28^th, 2018 in Bay City, MI.  On Saturday the following students qualified:

State Qualifiers

Junior Division Individual Documentary: Alistair Bealer

Junior Division Individual Exhibit: Lauren Konopacki

Junior Division Group Website: Jaclyn Cool, Anna Weber, and Madalyn Cleveland

Junior Division Individual Website: Jakob Diamond

Junior Division Individual Performance: Lillian Shasky

Special Awards

Best Civil War Project: Lauren Konopacki

Best Use of Primary Sources: Lauren Konopacki

30th Annual Battle of the Books Winners-
Congratulations to the 2018 winners of the Battle of the Books! It was Mrs. Gressley's 1st hour team, The Team That Shall Not Be Named.  The team members are : Captain Ella Rimes, Mei Mei Saggau-Drotos, Noah Kelley, Aaliyah Louis, and Dylan Daly.  They will take on the winner of the Lakeshore Middle School Battle of the Books sometime in April.  

Congratulations to our Choirs-

6th, 7th and 8th grade choirs  sang BEAUTIFULLY at Festival last Wednesday! Best they had ever done singing their songs. 

7th and 8th graders were the only MS choirs at the festival to read an advance level of sight reading and they sight read each example with ease. The judge was very impressed!

Both 7th & 8th choirs received high number ratings and came away with the highest rating of Excellent (1).  Congratulations to the students and Mrs. Gray-Roll.

Great job Spellers-
Out of nearly 50 spellers at the Cloverleaf Spelling Bee Upton had two top ten finishers! Andrew Ferrell ended in 3rd place and Madison Klitchman finished in 8th place.  The students worked hard and it was a fun day!

Science Olympiad, Tuesday, March 6th-
Good luck to our kids who are participating in the Science Olympiad Regional competition at Lake Michigan College tomorrow Tuesday, March 6th.  Upton has won this competition for 8 straight years.  The students have been working extremely hard with Coach Kietzerow and her amazing team of mentors.

Band & Orchestra Festival-
Good luck to our 7th & 8th grade bands and orchestras this week at they perform at festival.  Festival is like the M-Step of the performing arts.  The students perform pieces, and sight read.  It will be an amazing experience for the musicians.

Ren Baldwin Technology Festival-
Please see this attachment for the Ren Baldwin Technology Festival.  We are hoping for many great entries at Upton.  Click here for more information:  
Ren Baldwin Technology Festival Info

Little Mermaid, Jr. Auditions-
Rehearsals for the Little Mermaid begin next Monday-Wednesday in the Choir Room at Upton Middle School from 3:00-5:00 P.M.  Auditions will take place next Thursday & Friday March 15th & 16th.  All experience levels and no experience are welcome!

Variety Show next Friday, March 16th-
The Upton Variety Show will be next Friday, March 16th at 6:30 P.M. in the Upton Auditorium.  Co-directors Joanne Schrock and Sandy Krieg have said it will be a great show!  

Chess Club time change-
Chess club will be this Thursday (March 8th) in Mrs. Walsworth's room and will end at 4:00 P.M.

Culvers Give Back Night tonight-
Tonight at Culvers from 5:00-8:00 P.M. is Culvers Give Back Night for St. Joseph High School Softball.  A portion of the proceeds will go to the softball program.

Quote of the week-
"Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see." - Mark Twain