Mandarino Minutes 10/7/22

National Custodian Day

The Interact Club celebrated our AWESOME custodians this Tuesday for National Custodian Day with decorations, thankful notes, snacks & drinks for their office.  

NHS Tutoring reminder-

Is your child interested in free National Honor Society (NHS) Tutoring at the high school on Tuesdays and Thursdays?  If so, have them stop by the Upton Office any Tuesday and Thursday morning for an Academic Study Session slip.  The slip then needs to be filled out by the teacher and returned to the office before a bus pass is given for tutoring.  If a student does not have a bus pass from the office, they will not be allowed to take the bus over to the high school.  

We also have NHS high school students at the Upton Media Center every Wednesday from 3pm-4pm for tutoring.  No pass is needed.  

Bear Pride week-

Here are our September Bear Pride recipients with

Mr. Schmaltz 

Abbey Ordiway, River Scudder, Alexander Brown, Te’darius King, Pierce Crowell, Kamari Fester, Audrey Kline, Lizzy Moore, Sebria Lewis, Clara Edwards , Phoebe Soler, Caitlin Schmidt, Jenna Schaffer, Alana Chacon.

*not pictured -  Alina Loebach and Jayden Davies

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: 

Kai Howell, Audrey Kline and Olivia Hein

This is also found on Twitter at @SJUptonBears.

After School activities-

Just a reminder that students cannot stay after school on game days.  Students need to go home after school, then return for activities.  We do not have after school supervision.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Late Start Reminder -

Next Wednesday is a late start and Upton starts at 8:45am.  Buses run on an hour delay.  The doors will open at 8:15am.

Lunch next week -

Monday - Chicken tenders, french fries, fresh fruit

Tuesday - Mexican Corn, chicken fajita, spanish rice 

Wednesday - Dinner roll, rotini with meat or marinara sauce, seasoned zucchini

Thursday - French fries, hot ham and cheese

Friday - Caesar salad, Big Daddy cheese or pepperoni pizza

*Milk, fruit and salad bar available at all lunches*

Clubs at Upton

*Interact Club -

*Spanish Club schedule -

The Spanish Club  will be meeting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:50pm - 4:00pm in Room 226.

Beginner Class - Tuesdays

October 11, 18, 25

November 1, 8, 15

Intermediate Class - Wednesdays

October 12, 19, 26

November 2, 9, 16

*If you have any questions about Spanish Club, please contact Mrs. Ellspermann at cellspermann@sjschools.org

*Creative Writing Club schedule -

Creative Writing club will meet every other Wednesday beginning November 2nd from 2:50pm - 3:45pm in Room 221.

November 2nd, 16th, 30th

December 14th

January 11th, 25th

February 8th, 22nd

March 8th, 22nd

April 5th, 19th

May 3rd, 17th

*If you have any questions about Writing Club, please contact Mrs. Deis at kdeis@sjschools.org

*Chess Club schedule -

Chess Club will meet every other Thursday beginning October 20th from 2:50pm - 4:50pm in Room 219.

October 20th

November 3rd, 17th

December 1st, 15th

January 12

February 9th, 23rd

March 9th

April 6th, 20th

*If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Walsworth at dwalsworth@sjschools.org

*Boys & Girls Club -

The Boys & Girls Club began on Monday for the school year.  The program is available every day after school from 2:45pm - 5:30pm in Room 407.  For those interested in participating please come to the office for a membership form.  Students who would like to participate in Boys & Girls Club must have an application and payment submitted.

*Upstream Club schedule -

The Upstream Club Upstream meets every Tuesday from 2:50pm - 4:00pm.  Open to all grade levels.

*If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kietzerow at kkietzerow@sjschools.org

*Spelling Club schedule -

Are you good at spelling?  Join the Spelling Club!  This club meets every Tuesday at 3:00pm in room 313 with Mr. Gressley.  

*If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Gressley at cgressley@sjschools.org

Go Bears!

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 9-30-22

 Dear Upton Middle School Families,

Count Day Next Week -

Our first Count Day is next Wednesday, October 5th.  Please make every effort to have your children at school on this day and on time. Thank you for your help and cooperation!

A great place at UMS -

The Upton Guidance Department is extremely grateful to have received a generous grant from the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation. With this grant, we have been able to furnish a room dedicated to helping students regulate and refocus throughout the day as needed. Students have the opportunity to try various mindfulness activities such as; coloring, breathing techniques, utilizing a weighted blanket, playing with a fidget or balancing toy, listening to calming music, etc. We are excited to be able to offer our students this opportunity at Upton!

From the Desk of the Guidance Department-

Please click on this link to read about the many student support groups that we have to offer:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tdjmUhKqaBY-mDiwiz7GIgI3T3A02gmtVJtOmqM6_Vs/edit?usp=sharing

Stock the Lounge-

It's time to stock the teacher's lounge! Check out the Amazon Wish List and have your order sent directly to the middle school. Select your item and quantity, then be sure to select the "gift registry" address for shipping at checkout. We appreciate your support!

Click here:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1Z9BLBZWOUQNE?ref_=wl_share

Learn by Heart-

Each day, our school staff make a difference in the lives of children. They teach them how to read, serve them lunch, safely transport them to and from school and make sure their learning environment is clean and welcoming. They prepare our students for successful careers and life after the classroom. They challenge students to reach their greatest potential and support them every step of the way. These superheroes make a tremendous difference, and for that, our community would like to say, "Thank you!" Join us as we celebrate the hard work and dedication of everyone on our staff by supporting the Learn by Heart campaign.

The Learn by Heart campaign is designed to increase the awareness of the dedication of our educators. The focus of the campaign will be to highlight relationships between educators, students, parents, and community members through stories. In the coming months, we will be sharing those stories with you to showcase our educators, who serve as the lifeblood that makes the district beat. Do you have a story to share? Simply send your story background, participant names, relevant pictures and any pertinent information including quotes and specific story elements to Kristen Bawks at kbawks@sjschools.org.

JoeBots-

The JoeBots are hard at work building robots, writing code, and making marketing materials for this year's challenge! Please help our teams by buying Soft Touch car wash passes for $10 each, email ftcteam8513@gmail.com if interested, and/or buying supporter T-shirts from the link below for $20 each plus tax.  https://tinyurl.com/2tnkj6wd 

Upton Soccer Club-

Both boys soccer teams beat Lakeshore on Wednesday! The Gold team won 3-1 and the Blue team won 2-1. Both great games and team effort!

NHS Tutoring Reminder -

Tutoring at SJHS Tuesdays and Thursdays began September 27th from 3-4pm.  It will take place every Tuesday and Thursday at the high school. Students must request an Academic Study Session slip from the Upton office before noon each Tuesday/Thursday that they plan to attend tutoring.  The slip then needs to be filled out by the teacher and returned to the office before a bus pass is given for tutoring.  If a student does not have a bus pass from the office, they will not be allowed to take the bus over to the high school.  

Late Start Wednesday-

Next Wednesday is a late start and Upton starts at 8:45am.  Buses run on an hour delay.  The doors will open at 8:15am. Breakfast is also available at 8:15 am.

Lunch menu next week-

Monday - SPICY CHICKEN PATTY OR CHICKEN PATTY SANDWICH, FRUIT, SWEET POTATO FRIES

Tuesday - CHEESE QUESADILLA, REFRIED BEANS, CORN, FRUIT

Wednesday - BONELESS CHICKEN WINGS,DINNER ROLL, CHEESY POTATOES, FRUIT

Thursday - MINI CORN DOGS, FRENCH FRIES, FRUIT,

Friday - BOSCO STICKS, FRUIT, CAESAR SALAD

Mandarino Minutes for 9-23-22

 Dear UMS Families,

Picture Retake Day-

Picture retake day is Wednesday, September 28th in the morning.  If you missed Start Up Day in August or want your photos retaken, plan on getting your school photo taken on Wednesday. If you want a retake, please bring in your photo packet.

Spirit Wear Orders-

Reminder: Time is running out to purchase Bear Wear! Place your orders online at https://ums2022fall.orderpromos.com/. Deadline is 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 25th. 

Appointments during the school day-

When you plan to pick your child up for an appointment during the school day, please contact the office by 9am or send your child in with a note to give to the office in the morning.  This way we can get your child a pass to come to the office and they will be waiting for you.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Medication Reminder-

If your child has an allergy or condition that warrants an Epi Pen, inhaler, or prescription medication please contact the office immediately for an Authorization to Administer Medication form.  This form needs to be filled out by your doctor.  Once we have that completed form then we can keep the medication in the office.

Tutoring to Begin next week and... -

Tutoring at SJHS Tuesdays and Thursdays will begin next Tuesday, September 27th from 3-4pm.  Students must request an Academic Study Session slip from the Upton office before noon each Tuesday/Thursday that they plan to attend tutoring.  The slip then needs to be filled out by the teacher and returned to the office before a bus pass is given for tutoring.  If a student does not have a bus pass from the office, they will not be allowed to take the bus over to the high school.  

Starting Wednesday, October 5th the National Honor Society will begin coming to Upton every Wednesday from 3-4pm to tutor students.  This will be located in our Media Center.  Students do not need a pass to attend.

Boys And Girls Club Starting Soon-

The Boys and Girls Club will be starting on Monday, October 3rd.  It will run from 2:45pm to 5:45pm.  Sign up sheets are located in the Upton office.  Students can start handing in paperwork on Monday, September 26th.  Applications must be completed by the parent and please attach the $5 fee.

Studio Art Class Headed to Art Prize-

Our 8th grade studio art class will be headed to Grand Rapids next Wednesday, September 28th to enjoy the wonderful art displayed all over town.  Mr. Fralick and the wonderful art department in SJPS along with the support of the SJPS Foundation has made this possible!

Opportunity at the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library for 6th graders-

Late Start Wednesday-

Next Wednesday is a late start and Upton starts at 8:45am.  Buses run on an hour delay.  The doors will open at 8:15am and breakfast is available at that time.

Lunch Next Week-

MONDAY - Cheeseburger, French fries, Fruit

TUESDAY - Cheese Bosco Sticks w/Marinara, Corn, Fruit

WEDNESDAY - Popcorn Chicken, corn, mashed potatoes,

THURSDAY - French Toast, Hash Brown, Sausage

FRIDAY - Cheese or Pepperoni French Bread Pizza

Breakfast Menu-

Quote of the week-

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Mandarino