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




Lunch next week -


Monday - Pepperoni calzone, tater tots

Tuesday - Hot dog on a bun, macaroni and cheese

Wednesday - Nachos with beef and cheese, broccoli, salad bar or loaded potato

Thursday - Spicy chicken patty or chicken patty sandwich, sweet potato fries

Friday - Goldfish crackers, grilled cheese, tomato or chicken noodle soup


*Milk choice, fruit and salad bar available each day with lunch*




Late Start Reminder -


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





Quote of the week -




Have a wonderful Friday and weekend,
Mr. Mandarino






Friday, October 7, 2022

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 6-9-23

  Dear Upton Middle School Families, Thanks! - We thank you for sharing your daughter/son with us this school year!  We also appreciate your...