Mandarino Minutes for 11-20-20

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Schedule for next week -

Food opportunity pickup -

SJPS will offer meal pick up opportunities on Monday evenings from 5-6 PM for the students when we are remote.  Meal pick up is in the back of St. Joseph High School off of Lakeview Avenue.   Please email me Mrs. Youngquist (dyoungquist@sjschools.org) to reserve their meal packages.

Tutoring opportunity -

Does your daughter/son need a little extra academic support?  Please use this form that I have linked to get some National Honor Society tutoring support.

Tutoring Support Link

Virtual Book Fair -

Please take a few minutes to follow the link below to the UMS virtual book fair.  The book fair is used to bring more titles to our collection at Upton.  Thanks for considering this!

UMS Virtual Book Fair link

Technical difficulties ? -

If your son/daughter's device is not working properly, please send an email to support@sjschools.org. Our IT department will be in touch to assist.

From the Guidance Department -

Guidance News

With our move to remote learning, please remember we are still here to support our students and families.  

 

On Wednesday 11/18 and again on Monday 11/30, we are offering a fun activity for the students to connect with one another outside of the classroom.  We are sharing these opportunities with students through their school email and grade level google classrooms.  These ‘fun activities’ are optional, but we may have some required SEL lessons in the future.

 

Please remember to check our family google site regularly for updates.

What's New This Week in COVID-19, Guidance & SEL:

In the Apps to Manage Stress & Anxiety - check out the new apps for all grade levels preK - 12 grade (Daniel Tiger, Mind Yeti & Calm Harm)!

In the Parent Resources section there  are some new articles - "Holidays during the Pandemic", "25 Holiday Traditions to start this year" and "Post Election Emotional Intelligence" tips as well as links to the principal blogs and guidance college & career resources

In the Community Resources section there is a new list of mental health first aid resources and a new FREE resource in Benton Harbor

Mrs. Fairchild  Mrs. Peterson Ms. Toth

School Social Worker Counselor (last name A-G) Counselor (last name H-Z)

                          

1st Tee Awesome commercial -

7th grader, Mya Miller, and 8th grader, Jason Wright, recently were a part of a commercial for 1st Tee.  If you enjoyed the Michael Jordan & Larry Bird commercial of the early 90's, I know you will enjoy this!

Mya & Jason Commercial Link

Quote of the week -

Happy Thanksgiving from the UMS Staff!

Have a great weekend & Thanksgiving!

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-13-20

 Dear Parent/Guardians,

Great Concerts -

We had two wonderful orchestra concerts this week!  The 7th & 8th graders were excited to be in front of an audience for the first time in several months and they sounded great!  We appreciate the audience following the protocols while attending as well. 😊

Conferences -

Thanks for your participation in the remote conferences this week!  If you have a teacher that you did not connect with and want to still meet, please send them an email and they will try to connect with you.

Mosaic Coat Drive for SW Michigan Residents- 

Beginning next Monday, November 16th we will have a few boxes near the office for winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc.  These items can be gently used or new.  All items will remain in Berrien County for residents that are in need.  Any donation to this very worthy cause is appreciated.

Late Start -

The district will have a late start this Wednesday, November 18th. School will begin at 8:45 AM and doors at Upton will open at 8:15 AM.  Breakfast will be available beginning at 8:45 AM.

Lunch Next Week -

Monday-  Chicken Patty, Hash Brown, Applesauce

Tuesday-  Hot Dog, Baked Beans, Peaches, Baked Chips

Wednesday-  Pepperoni Calzone, Corn, Applesauce

Thursday-  Chicken Tenders & Waffles, Hash Brown, Fruit Cup

Friday-  French Bread Pizza, Carrot & Celery Sticks, Apple Slices

***All lunches come with 1% white or Chocolate Milk***

Remote Meets with Teachers -

Thanks for your patience this week as we practiced our remote learning!  Thursday and Friday went very smoothly! We expect each student in a google meet when working remote to be present on the screen.  We had students who had an image up on the screen. Our teachers have reminded the students about this, but if you could have a conversation with your daughter/son as well that would be great.  Thanks!

UPTO  Meeting Next Thursday -  

We will have our November UPTO meeting next Thursday, November 19th at 1:00 PM virtually.  Here is the link to the meeting:

meet.google.com/qvv-gjgm-ers

7th grade Parent Washington DC 2022 Trip Meeting-  

Mr. Catania will be hosting a remote parent meeting on Thursday evening for 7th grade students interested in the 2022 Washington DC trip.  Here is the link for more information:

Washington DC Trip Information Link 

From the desk of the Guidance Department -

What's New This Week in COVID-19, Guidance & SEL:

• In the Apps to Manage Stress & Anxiety - check out the new apps for all grade levels preK - 12 grade!
• In the Parent Resources section there  are some new articles - "From exhausted to excited: flip your parenting mindset"; "5 tips to find balance with social media" and "Ideas for talking to kids about Corona (whether they like to talk about it or avoid talking about it)".

 Quote of the week -

Thank you to all our parents/guardians who have served our country!

Pictures of the fence at SJHS
Photos courtesy of Ken McKeown

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 11-6-20

 Dear Parents/Guardians, 

1/2 Days Next Week and Conferences -

We will have half days next Thursday, November 12th and Friday, November 13th.  Dismissal on each day will be at 11:00 AM.  Also, you should have received an email from me yesterday regarding parent-teacher conferences for next Thursday, November 13th.  

Thanks UPTO! -

Last Friday at 7th grade lunch our wonderful Upton Parent-Teacher Organization provided a Dairy Queen dilly bar at lunchtime to our 7th graders.  Our 7th graders read last March and many (who were 6th graders at the time)  met their goals, but because of COVID they never received their ice cream sundae.  The students were very happy and thankful for the UPTO remembering them.

We need your assistance -

We would love your help in reminding your son/daughter to come into school each day with a full charge on their laptop.  We have had many students showing up with a very low charge on their laptop.  Thanks for your help!

Great Concerts & Upcoming Concerts -

Monday we had a wonderful 6th-8th grades choir concert and Wednesday(8th grade band) & Thursday(7th grade band) two great band concerts.  It was wonderful for our performing arts students to get out in front of an audience and perform!  

Next week we have the following two concerts:

Tuesday, November 10th- 8th grade orchestra

Wednesday, November 11th- 7th grade orchestra

All concerts take place at the John & Dede Howard Auditorium at SJHS and will be held at 7:00 PM.

SJHS NHS Tutoring available for in person & virtual students -

Dear Parents,

The National Honor Society will be rolling out virtual tutoring this week.  If you have a student who needs tutoring, we are offering in person tutoring every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school from 2:47-3:45pm in the student center and now virtual tutoring.  In person tutoring is drop in, with no reservation needed.   For students who would like to request a virtual tutoring session, they just need to fill out a Google Form at this link:

https://forms.gle/J18HhF5Gx5mTJN7U8

Virtual tutoring is available from 3 PM to 7 PM on Sundays through Thursdays. Sessions can be up to 60 minutes.  Your student will receive an email with a Google Meet link for the date and time requested and will log in for some virtual support.

I will check these forms every morning at 6:30am and tutors will pick up the virtual sessions by noon the same day.  

Be patient with us while we work out the kinks, I anticipate that once word gets out we will likely have many requests and we will do our best to accommodate everyone who needs tutoring.  

This is a free service provided by the St Joseph High School National Honor Society and we encourage any student who could use a little extra help to take advantage of this support.  Virtual students are also encouraged to participate as well.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

 

Nita Nicholie
National Honor Society Advisor
Saint Joseph High School

From Your Guidance Department -

What's New This Week

in COVID-19, Guidance & SEL:

• In the Self Care & Wellness page under Warm Fuzzies - link to a YouTube channel for pet lovers and under Self Care Resources a breathing technique to help with sleep!

• In the Apps to Manage Stress & Anxiety - check out some new apps and a couple short but powerful breathing videos.

• In the Parent Resources section there is a new website GoNoodle - lots of great ways to get your family up & moving!

Late Start Next Wed. November 11th-

We have a late start next Wednesday, November 11th.  School doors will open at 8:15 AM and breakfast will be available at that time as well.  School will begin at 8:45 AM.

Lunch At Upton Next Week - 

 Monday, Nov. 9th- Cheese Quesadilla, Refried Beans, Apple Slices

 Tuesday, Nov. 10th - Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Cranberry Sauce, Dinner Roll

Wednesday, Nov. 11th- Chicken Tenders, Waffle Fries, Apple Slices

1/2 days on Thursday and Friday

*** Every lunch has a 1% White Milk or Chocolate Milk option ***

Quote of the week -

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 10-30-20

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Upcoming Choir, Band, and Orchestra Concerts -

All the following concerts take place in the John & Dede Auditorium at St. Joseph High School and will begin at 7:00 PM.

Upton Choir Concert - Monday, November 2nd

8th grade Band Concert- Wednesday, November 4th

7th grade Band Concert- Thursday, November 5th

8th grade Orchestra Concert- Tuesday, November 10th

7th grade Orchestra Concert- Wednesday, November 11th

End of the Marking Period -

Next Friday, November 6th is the end of the first marking period.  In grades 6th-12th grades we do not send home hard copies of the report cards during the school year.  The grades reflected in PowerSchool on Monday, November 9th will be the official grade for the first marking period.

Lunch next week -

Mon., Nov. 2nd-  Mini Corn Dogs, Fresh Fruit, Carrot Coins

Tues., Nov. 3rd-  Nachos with Beef & Cheese, Salsa, Refried Beans, Mandarin Oranges

Wed., Nov. 4th-  Grilled Chicken Club, Hash Brown, Fruit Cup

Thur.,Nov. 5th-  Cheeseburger, French Fries, Mandarin Oranges

Fri., Nov. 6th- Pepperoni/Cheese Pizza, Green Beans, Apple Slices

After School Pickup and the AM drop-off -

With cold weather around the corner I wanted to remind you that we need every student picked up by 3:00 PM.  With all our cleaning protocols that are in place we can't have students hanging around after school in the building.  Also, in the morning the doors click open at 7:15 AM on regular school days and 8:15 AM on late starts.  This is the time our morning supervision begins.  We do not want students waiting outside the doors in the cold months as well.  

Student Council Opportunity -

Ms. Toth, our new student council advisor, has a slide show for you to view with your son/daughter if they might be interested in being a part of the Upton Student Council.  Please click below for the link:

UMS Student Council Slideshow Link

Virtual School Blog Link -

Here is the link to the virtual school weekly blog post:

https://stjoevirtualschool.blogspot.com/

You may want to bookmark this if your daughter/son is a virtual student.

Virtual Parents with children in performing arts please take a look-

Below is our schedule for the regular school days and late starts (one hour delay).  Please know that on late start Wednesdays the one hour delay schedule is used when dropping off and picking up after band, choir, or orchestra.

COVID Test On your Own  & Exposure Chart-

If you have chosen to get a COVID test for your son/daughter because you are thinking they might have COVID, the student may not return to school until you receive a negative notice. Please also provide the office with the letter from the health provider indicating this.  Below is a helpful chart if your daughter/son has had known exposure for you to refer to as well.

Also use the below link found on our District Website as a quick reference.

DAILY STUDENT SCREENING GUIDANCE

Virtual Tutoring-

Does your daughter/son need a little extra support at home?  Here is a resource for virtual tutoring for those students that would like a little extra support:

https://www.gvsu.edu/k12connect/

Late Start Wednesday -

We do have a late start this Wednesday, November 4th.  School doors will open at 8:15 AM and this is when breakfast is available.  Buses will run one hour later.  School begins at 8:45 AM.

Daylight Savings Time -

Don't forget to "fall back" this weekend on Sunday, November 1st.  

2nd Quote of the week -

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mr. Mandarino