Mandarino Minutes for 2-11-22

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

No school next Friday, Feb. 18 & Monday, Feb 21 

School will not be in session on Friday, February 18th and Monday, February 21st to observe Presidents' Day.  

Why do we celebrate Presidents’ Day?

Presidents' Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents' Day 2022 will occur on Monday, February 21. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents' Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents' Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.

Happy Valentine's Day-

Happy Valentine's Day from the Upton Staff!  We will be wearing red or pink on Monday to show our love and friendship for those in our lives!

From the Desk of the Guidance Department- 

Please take a few moments to see the latest update from our guidance team:

Upton Updates from your Guidance Department

Baseball and Softball Signups -

From the desk of the UPTO:

Many thanks to our 6th grade parent volunteers who chaperoned last night’s FREE Ice Skating event at the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena.  We appreciate you!

 

7th Grade Parents….mark your calendars for the next Ice Skating Event!  Thursday, February 24th

Lunch next week -

02/14/2022 - MINI CORN DOGS, FRENCH FRIES, FRUIT 

02/15/2022 - MAC & CHEESE, STEAMED VEGETABLE, BREAD STICK, FRUIT SELECTION 

02/16/2022 - CHICKEN PATTY SANDWICH, SIDEWINDER POTATOES, FRUIT SELECTION 

02/17/2022 - PEPPERONI OR CHEESE FRENCH BREAD PIZZA, SALAD CUP, FRUIT SELECTION

One hour delay, February 16th -

Next Wednesday, February 16th will be a late start.  School will begin at 8:45 AM and breakfast will be available beginning at 8:15 AM.

National Days next week-

Monday - Valentine’s Day

Tuesday - National Gumdrop Day

Wednesday - National Almond Day

Thursday - National Random Act of Kindness Day

Friday - National Caregivers Day

(for more national days, go to https://nationaldaycalendar.com/february-holidays/)

Quote of the week-

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 2-4-22

Dear Parents/Guardians,

8th grade Student and Parent Night at SJHS -

IMPORTANT CHANGE:
 This Meeting has been changed to a VIRTUAL MEETING! 

CLASS OF 2026

Informational Scheduling Meeting for current 8th Grade Students & their Parents
who plan to attend
St. Joseph High School Fall 2022

Changed to VIRTUAL -
Wednesday, February 9, 2022 
6:00pm
Virtual Link will be sent on Feb 9 @ 5pm to your email

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Students will receive 2022-23 scheduling materials - course description books & course selection forms distributed in class at Upton on Feb. 9 to be brought home for Feb 9 virtual meeting at 6pm!!
(Student and parents will want these materials in front of you during the virtual presentation)

Learn about the high school scheduling process and information from department reps will be included in the presentation! 

This is a very important informational meeting and encourage all 8th grade students
AND their parents to attend virtually!

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Counselors will be hosting a Virtual 8th Grade Parent Q&A Night 
to follow up on the above topic:

Feb 10 @ 6-7pm

Counselors will be answering questions LIVE - link will be emailed on Feb 9

 

Planetarium Community Night -

This Monday, February 7th at 6:30 PM is a Community Planetarium Night in the Upton Planetarium.  The show is called: Dawn of the Space Age.

From the Desk of the Guidance Department-

Please click on this link to see the latest information from the SJPS guidance department:

Guidance Department Link

Count Day this Wednesday, Feb. 9th-

This Wednesday, February 9th is Count Day in the State of Michigan.  Please make every effort to have your son/daughter to school on time that morning please.  Thanks for your help and cooperation!

From the Desk of the UPTO: 

8th grade Parent Planning Meeting -

This Thursday, February 10th at 7:00 PM in the Upton Conference Room will be a planning meeting for the 8th grade farewell dance.  We would love to have your help and input.

Science Olympiad Practice -

Next Saturday, February 12th the Science Olympiad team will have practice from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Upton Middle School.

Late Start next Wednesday, February 9th-

The district will have a late start next Wednesday, February 9th.  School will begin at 8:45 AM.  Breakfast is available beginning at 8:15 AM.

Lunch Next Week -

02/07/2022 - GRILLED CHICKEN CLUB, FRENCH FRIES, FRUIT

02/08/2022 - FRENCH TOAST STICKS, HASH BROWN, SAUSAGE, FRUIT

02/09/2022 - GRILLED CHEESE, TOMATO SOUP, GOLDFISH CRACKERS, SALAD CUP, FRUIT           

02/10/2022 - CHICKEN TENDERS, MASHED POTATOES/GRAVY, CORN, FRUIT

02/11/2022 - BOSCO STICKS, MARINARA SAUCE, CAESAR SALAD, CARROT STICKS, FRUIT

We want you! -

Upton Bears Credit Union-

Upton Bears Student CU is open every Tuesday during all lunch periods, outside the cafeteria. Upton Bears Student CU offers great incentives to promote good saving habits for students. All new members will receive $15 if they open their membership with at least $1 (membership forms are available at the Upton Bears Student CU table or in the school office). All existing members will receive $5 for making their first deposit at Upton Bears Student CU. There is a prize box so students can choose a prize with every deposit. Every deposit is entered into a monthly drawing to win a gift basket with a $25 Visa gift card. Every deposit is also entered into an annual drawing to win an iPad Mini at the end of the school year!

Adalyn Kasuba, the January winner for Upton Bears Student CU!

Girls Soccer Signups -

Attention all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls soccer players - Please fill out this form if you are interested in playing soccer this spring to help us determine how many teams we will have.

  https://forms.gle/Wfs2fbLmC5vWVuLLA

 

There will be a club fee to cover the cost of your jersey and ref fees. Practices can start the week of March 21st and our games will be played on weekdays between April 11th and May 26th. Please contact Sara Dawalt socceruptonmiddleschool@gmail.com with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you on the field!

*The fees are $75. The fee raised $10 from what the boys paid in the fall due to increases in fees for registration and ref fees.

https://sjschools.revtrak.net/upton-middle-school/upton-ms-athletics-1/

There is a soccer meeting at 6:30 on March 2nd in the Upton Auditorium.

Quote of the week -

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Upton Ice Skating Evenings-

Save the Date/Dates:

The Upton UPTO will be sponsoring skate nights and the John & Dede Howard Ice Skating Rink on the following evenings:

• Thursday, Feb. 10th - 6th grade

• Thursday, Feb. 24th - 7th grade

• Friday, Feb. 25th - 8th grade

More details to follow soon on this!

8th to 9th grade Scheduling Meeting-

CLASS OF 2026

SAVE THE DATE: 

Informational Scheduling Meeting for current 8th Grade Students & their Parents 
who plan to attend
St. Joseph High School Fall 2022

Wednesday, February 9, 2022 
6:00pm
@ John & Dede Howard Auditorium at St. Joseph High School

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You will receive 2022-23 scheduling materials, learn about the high school scheduling process, meet department representatives and tour the school. 

This is a very important informational meeting and encourage all 8th grade students AND their parents to attend!

New Semester This Monday-

This Monday, January 31st will being semester 2 for our students. Many of our 8th graders will begin their new electives on this date. Just a reminder that we do not print report cards off until the end of the year in June.

8th Grade Farewell Dance Parent Meeting-

Attention 8th grade parents!

The Upton PTO is creating an 8th Grade Farewell Dance Committee and is looking for parent volunteers to help organize this special celebration.  

Please email us at  uptonmiddlepto@gmail.com if you’re interested in being part of the planning. 

Our first meeting will be Thursday, February 10th @ 7 pm in the Upton conference room.

Hope to see you there!

UPTO

UPTO Officer Openings-

Girls Soccer Signups -

Attention all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls soccer players - Please fill out this form if you are interested in playing soccer this spring to help us determine how many teams we will have.

  https://forms.gle/Wfs2fbLmC5vWVuLLA

 

A parent meeting will take place on March 2nd at 6:30 PM. There will be a club fee to cover the cost of your jersey and ref fees. Practices can start the week of March 21st and our games will be played on weekdays between April 11th and May 26th. Please contact Sara Dawalt socceruptonmiddleschool@gmail.com with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you on the field!

Want to Substitute Teach? -

Our school district is in need of substitute teachers! If you are interested please see the flyer link below:

Substitute Teacher Link

Late Start this Wednesday-  

The district will have a late start this Wednesday, February 2nd.  School will begin at 8:45 AM.

Lunch Next Week-

01/31/2022 - HOT DOG, FRENCH FRIES, FRUIT

02/01/2022 - ROTINI PASTA W/MARINARA OR MEAT SAUCE, GREEN BEANS, FRUIT

02/02/2022 - BREADED CHICKEN PATTY SANDWICH, POTATO WEDGES, FRUIT

02/03/2022 - GRILLED CHEESE, TOMATO SOUP, SALAD CUP, FRUIT

02/04/2022 - PEPPERONI CALZONE, STEAMED BROCCOLI, RICE, FRUIT

Quote of the Week-

Have a good Friday and weekend,

Mr. Mandarino

Mandarino Minutes for 1-21-22

 Dear Parents/Guardians,

Half Days next Wednesday (26th), Thursday (27th), and Friday (28th) -

As the semester comes to an end next week, we will have half days on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Dismissal for all three days is 11:00 AM.  Please have rides here no later than 11:15 AM.  

Tutoring next week - 

Tutoring will only be held on Tuesday next week at the High School.  Wednesday & Thursday tutoring is canceled due to the half days.

Sylas Keys Memorial Service -

The memorial service for Sylas Keys will be on Saturday, January 29th at the First Church of God in St. Joseph, MI at 11:00 AM.  The church is located on 2627 Niles Avenue.  Sylas was a beloved 7th grader who tragically passed in a car accident this past fall.

Sylas

Congratulations to our Spelling Bee Winners - 

After a record-setting 13 rounds for the Upton Spelling Bee held this past Tuesday, the following members will represent Upton Middle School at the Cloverleaf Spelling Bee on February 24. 

Congratulations to 

1. Pihu Sahai - 8th grade

2. Suprabha Singh - 6th grade 

3. Jianan Qu - 6th grade

 

The students worked very hard since October to learn spelling and vocabulary rules. Their hard work showed during the Spelling Bee.

Congratulations to all who participated and have been a part of the Upton Spelling team!

Pihu

Suprabha

Jianan

Girls Soccer Signups -

Attention all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls soccer players - Please fill out this form if you are interested in playing soccer this spring to help us determine how many teams we will have.

  https://forms.gle/Wfs2fbLmC5vWVuLLA

There will be a club fee to cover the cost of your jersey and ref fees. Practices can start the week of March 21st and our games will be played on weekdays between April 11th and May 26th. Please contact Sara Dawalt socceruptonmiddleschool@gmail.com with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you on the field!

No Late Start Next Wednesday (26th)-

We will not have a late start next week.  School will begin at 7:45 AM.

Lunch Next Week-

01/24/22 – BONELESS CHICKEN WINGS, FRENCH FRIES, FRUIT SELECTION

01/25/22 – BIG DADDY PEPPERONI OR CHEESE PIZZA, SALAD, FRUIT SELECTION

Boys & Girls Club-

Next week the Boys & Girls Club will ONLY meet from 11:00-2:00 on Friday in Room 407.  There is no after school program Wednesday or Thursday.  This is being offered only to students that are currently signed up.

End of the Semester -

Next Friday is the end of our 1st semester. 8th graders who have semester courses will be switching to their new class/classes on Monday, January 31st for the start of the 2nd semester. Those changes can be found in PowerSchool. We do not print off new schedules for Semester 2.

Quote of the week -

Have a good weekend,

Mr. Mandarino