Mandarino Minutes for 2-27-17

Dear Parents/Guardians,

29th Annual Battle of the Books-
Congratulations to all the students who worked hard to complete their reading goals for the Battle of the Books! It was an exciting competition that was very close!   Mrs. Humes, Mrs. Burnette, Mrs. Dirlam, our ELA teachers, retired SJPS staff, Mr. Holleman, our custodial staff, and many parents helped to make this morning a success! 
Bonus Point Winner: The Guardians of the Books (Walsworth)
4th Place: The Coral Read (Greissinger)

3rd Place: The Bookie Monsters (Gressley)

2nd Place: Words of Wisdom (Walsworth)

1st Place: The Book Dwellers (Gressley)

Members of Book Dwellers (first place team) - Zane Runkel (captain), Amelia Hines, Timothy Dokter, and Devraj Singh

Several pictures are located on the St. Joseph Public Schools Facebook page.

Good luck Science O-
Our Science Olympiad team competes next Tuesday, March 7th at Lake Michigan College.  Upton has won this competition for eight straight years!  We wish the team good luck! 


Honors Breakfasts-
Starting tomorrow the honors breakfasts begin.  Traffic will be very heavy on these mornings.
Tuesday, Feb. 28th- 6th grade
Thursday, March 2nd- 7th grade
Friday, March 3rd- 8th grade


Variety Show-
The Upton variety show will be on Friday, March 10th at 7:00 P.M. in the Upton auditorium.  Our students have worked hard and it should be a really good show.  Mrs. Schrock has done a wonderful job directing as well.


Programming Club-
A programming club starting on Thursday, March 9 here at Upton from 3:10-4:10 P.M. Whether you do or do not know any programming, the programming club will be a fun learning experience. Mr. Holleman can assist you if you have any questions. 


Community Corkboard-
If you have visited the district community corkboard in awhile here is the link to see what is new going on around the community and district:  https://www.sjschools.org/sjps-parents/community-cork-board-district


Upton Girls Soccer Round 2-
If you missed the last blog post here is the link to more information for girls soccer at Upton.  Link:  Girls Soccer Information Link


Quote of the week-
"In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can."
- Nikos Kazantzakis

Have a good week,
Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 2-20-17

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Ren Baldwin Technology Festival-
The sixth annual Ren Baldwin Technology Festival will take place Friday, May 19th at St. Joseph High School.  Please click here for more information on this fun event:  Ren Baldwin Technology Festival Information



Battle of the Books-
The 29th annual battle of the books will take place this Friday, February 24th.  Our 7th graders have worked hard and this great event will be fun to watch.  



1/2 day Friday, February 24th-
We will have a 1/2 this Friday, February 24th.  Dismissal will be at 11:04 A.M.  The staff will be involved with professional development in the afternoon.



Girls Soccer at Upton-
Upton Middle School Soccer Club would like to invite all interested 6th, 7th, & 8th grade girls to participate in the 2017 Spring Southwest Michigan Middle School Soccer League (SMMSSL).   All girls are welcome to sign up to participate in the up coming season. Teams will be based on grade and skill level making this a fun and competitive soccer experience.  So come join us to make another great season of Bear soccer.  Follow this link to sign up:  Soccer Signup Form  If you are unable to view the form via provided link, please email me at:  uptonmiddleschoolsoccer@gmail.com  Thanks, Aaron Soule



Calendar Photo Contest-
The SJPS Foundation is once again sponsoring the SJPS Calendar Photo contest.  Here is a link for more information on this:
Photo Contest Details.  This current school year the overall winning photo was submitted by 8th grader Halee Sharkey.



Upton Musical-
Please see this attachment if your daughter/son is interested in being a part of our musical.  Click here:  Upton Musical



New Rotations for 6th & 7th graders-
Tomorrow, February 21st will be the start of the 4th rotations for our 6th and 7th grade students.  The students can view their new special class on PowerSchool.



Planetarium Show tomorrow evening-
Tuesday, February 21st beginning at 6:30 P.M. is a community planetarium show called The Cowboy Astronomer.  Click here for tickets:  Tickets



Honor Roll Breakfast-
It will be a full house each breakfast next week.  The parking lot will be at capacity all three mornings.  The breakfast will be served at 7:15 A.M. and we will start as close to 7:25 A.M. as possible.  We would like the lines to go down both sides of the table.  6th grade- February 28th, 7th grade- March 2nd, and 8th grade- March 3rd.


Quote of the week-

"A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read.” - Mark Twain (In honor of Battle of the Books)

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 2-13-17

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Honors Breakfast Invitations-

The honor roll invitations will come home early this week.  Just a reminder that 6th grade will take place on Tuesday, February 28th, 7th grade on Thursday, March 2nd, and 8th grade on Friday, March 3rd.  The parking lot will be full and lots of traffic on these mornings.

Your Help Please!!!!!!!-

Please be very careful when dropping your child/children off in the A.M. Lately we have had people cutting out of line and had some near misses out in our parking lot.  The safety of students has to be a priority and we need your help in that process.  

Planetarium Community Night-

Next Tuesday, February 21st will be a community night planetarium show called The Cowboy Astronomer. Please go to this link to learn more about the show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vYeaXmMt7o

February 24th 1/2 Day-

Friday, February 24th will be a half-day district wide.  Our teachers will be participating in professional development in the afternoon.

Thanks for attending 8th grade parents-

We had one of the best turnouts we have ever had for the student-parent high school orientation last week at SJHS.  We really appreciate your support!  High school scheduling is lot to soak in and our staff will do our best to assist your child.

Late Start-

Just a reminder that we have a late start this Wednesday, February 15th and next Wednesday, February 22nd.

Quote of the week-

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives." - Henry David Thoreau

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 2-6-17

Dear Parents/Guardians,


Congratulations to Mr. Fralick-
Yesterday in South Bend, Indiana Mr. Fralick was awarded the Ann Hamilton outstanding art educator award for the second year in a row.  This award covers Southwest Michigan as well as Northwestern Indiana.   We are very happy for him and it is well deserved!


Congratulations to our MathCounts Team-
Friday in Kalamazoo, MI our MathCounts team finished 2nd in the regional math competition and will now move on to the state competition.  The team is coached by Ms. Houseal,  and the winning team consists of:  Norah Judge, Justin Leany, Anna Miesse, and Joe Paine.



8th to 9th grade Student and Parent meeting-
Just another reminder that this Wednesday, February 8th beginning at 6:00 P.M. is the very important student and parent meeting at SJHS in the auditorium.  It will contain a lot of information on scheduling, take a tour, learn about a club, etc.

Laptops and Social/Gaming Applications

On Thursday morning, all Upton Middle School students were reminded of their digital citizenship responsibilities when using their computers.  Specifically, students were reminded that activities such as iMessage, FaceTime, and Games are not permitted during the school day in classrooms.  Students were directed to remove these applications from the dock of their computers and to not access them while at school.  Gaming and social applications, such as iMessage and FaceTime should only be used with parental permission.  Please plan to discuss with your child these applications and whether or not you permit them to be used at home.  In order to enable iMessage and FaceTime, students must connect an Apple ID to their computer.  If this is something have allowed your child to do, please remind him or her these applications are not to be used during the school day.  Lastly, please remember that we recommend laptops be kept in a public area of your home (not in the student's bedroom) and that you regularly check in with with your child regarding laptop use.  Thank you for your continued partnership with this program.

Movie Afternoon at SJHS Fundraiser-
Fundraiser to benefit the Berrien County Animal Control  will be held on Friday, 2/17/17. 
When:  Friday, Feb. 17th St. Joseph High School - 3:00-5:15 ​ (must be picked up by 5:30) 
What: Join us to watch​: Guardians of the Galaxy, OR ​Mean Girls, OR​ Zootopia. 
How Much:  Suggested Donation(s): $2 and/or supplies such as: food for puppies/kittens, cat litter & litter pans, pet carriers, laundry soap, dish soap, bleach, pet bowls, & mops 
What else:  Refreshments available: Water $1,  Candy $ 2, 
 Popcorn $1 
Where:  Movies will be shown in the Social Studies hall - come in the main entrance & turn left.

St. Joseph Football Player & Parent Meeting-

Parent/Player meeting for all who are interested in playing football for St. Joseph in the fall of 2017.  Sunday, February 12th at 7 PM in the St. Joseph High School Student Center.  This meeting is for all incoming 7th to 12th graders.  This meeting will include general information and calendar information.

7th & 8th grade dance-

This Friday, February 10th from 6:00-8:00 P.M. is a 7th & 8th grade dance at Upton Middle School in the Blue Gym.  Please make sure rides are here by 8:00 P.M. sharp.

Student Count Day-

This Wednesday in the State of Michigan is Count day.  Please help us out by making sure your child is here to school on time.  We appreciate it!

Late Start Wednesday-

This Wednesday, February 8th as well as the 15th, and 22nd are late starts.  School will begin at 8:45 A.M.  Breakfast will still be served beginning at 8:15 A.M.

Community Cork board-

Have you checked out the SJPS community cork board in awhile? If not, you may see some new opportunity or event.  Click here: https://www.sjschools.org/sjps-parents/community-cork-board-district

Quote of the week-

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”- Abraham Lincoln

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 1-31-17

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Equestrian Club Fundraiser for Upton & SJHS-
Tonight (1-31-17) at Silver Beach Pizza is a fundraiser for the SJPS Equestrian Club.  The fundraiser will work for both carry out and dine in.  The Equestrian club really appreciates your support!


Please keep her in your thoughts-
Peyton Wells, Upton Middle School 8th grader,  has Aplastic Anemia, and is undertaking a very involved and lengthy treatment. Peyton and her family will be working with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.  We are going to have a box in the office for any student who would like to write a card of encouragement. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts.  Peyton is a wonderful young lady and we know she will battle!

Good luck MathCounts-
Our Upton MathCounts team under the leadership of Ms. Houseal will compete this Friday, February 3rd in the regional competition in Kalamazoo.  Good luck to Norah Judge, Athan Gregory, Anna Miesse, Adriana Pierangeli, Joe Paine, Ella Ott, Reese Uzelac, Justin Leany, and Harsh Gupta.

8th grade meeting next Wednesday, February 8th-
Please remember to mark your calendars for all 8th graders and parents next Wednesday, February 8th in the high school auditorium beginning at 6:00 P.M.  This meeting is very important.

No N.H.S. Tutoring tomorrow (2-1-17)-

Being the first week of a new semester we will not have after school tutoring tomorrow from our National Honor Society students. Tutoring will begin again next week.

Football Meeting-

Parent/Player meeting for all who are interested in playing football for St. Joseph in the fall of 2017.  Sunday, February 12th 7 P.M. in the St. Joseph High School Student Center.  This meeting is for all incoming 7th to 12th graders.  This meeting will include general information and calendar information.

Honor Roll Calculations-

Some of you have asked about how grade point average (GPA) is determined.  We use all yearlong and semester classes as well as the first two rotations in 6th & 7th grade.  We use the average of all the classes.  3.50-4.00 is the Maize Honor Roll and 3.00-3.49 is the Blue Honor Roll.  

Musical for Upton-

Upton Middle School Presents:  High School Musical JR. 

Rehearsals will start March 13th 

Auditions are March 16th and 17th 

Performances will be on May 12th & 13th, 2017.

Quote of the week:

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” 

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Have a great week,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 1-27-16

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The 1/2 Way Point-
We have reached the halfway point of the school year.  The students worked hard this week and hopefully they all reached their goals.  It has been a really good first semester for the students and staff.

Equestrian Club Fundraiser-

Tuesday night - January 31st is a fundraiser for our equestrian clubs at Upton and SJHS at Silver Beach Pizza.  Dine-in or Carryout.  Thanks for your support!

Respecting all People-
This Monday 1st hour for our 8th graders, 2nd hour for our 7th graders, and 3rd hour for our 6th graders our guidance department will be hosting an assembly.   The assembly is for inclusion and acceptance of students.  It will be a nice follow-up to our National Kindness Week.   

Honors Breakfasts-
The Honors breakfasts will take place on the following dates:
6th grade- February 28th
7th grade- March 2nd
8th grade- March 3rd
The honors breakfast will be based on the semester grade point average (GPA).  Our Maize Honor roll is for anyone that has a 3.5-4.0 GPA Honor Roll and our Blue Honor Roll is anyone that has a 3.0-3.49 GPA.

Friday quote-

"Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men." - Confucius

Have a nice weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 1-23-17

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Congratulations to our Upton Spelling Bee Winners-

Congratulations to:  

Anna Thompson-8th

Madison Klitchman-7th

Sumedh Anandha-7th

On February 13th they will attend the Cloverleaf Spelling Bee at Lake Michigan College and compete against other spellers in Berrien County.

Exams-
Just a reminder that our 1st semester exams are going on this week.  We have half-days on Wednesday (1st and 2nd hour exams), Thursday (3rd and 4th), and Friday (5th and 6th) with dismissal at 11:04 A.M.  We encourage your child/children to start looking things over now.  (Many have already started their review over the weekend!)

Test taking tips for parents

http://www.testtakingtips.com/parents/index.htm

Test stress: ten terrific test-taking tips

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/teststress/article10.html

8th to 9th meeting for students and parents-
On Wednesday, February 8th we have a mandatory 8th to 9th grade student and parent meeting at St. Joseph High School beginning at 6:00 P.M. Here are a few of things that will be accomplished:

*Receive 2017-18 Scheduling Materials
*Learn about the High School Scheduling Process
*Meet Department Representatives
*Tour the High School 

8th grade Farewell-
If you are interested in helping with our 8th grade farewell on Friday, June 2nd please email Beth Christy at  beth.christy@yahoo.com  As John Heywood said, "Many hands make light work."

Your help please-
Please do not park in the staff parking lot after school.  We have had some issues with staff getting blocked in and some must get to coaching responsibilities or over to other schools.  We would prefer you park in the main lot.  Thanks for your help with this.

Marking your calendars for February-

Every Wednesday in February is a late start. (1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd)  

Quote of the week-
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." - Pele

Have a great week,
Mr. Mandarino