Weekly Top for 11-17-17

Folks,


Siaka Massaquoi-
We are the headlines of today's Herald Palladium! HP Article How can words do justice to yesterday?  Siaka was such a dynamic, gracious, awesome, wonderful presenter yesterday!  He is overall an even better person!  The way he interacted with our kids was simply a work of art!  We were all blessed for this great opportunity!  The producer, Nick Ross, is also a talented and great guy as well!  Matt & Sam the camera men were also very gracious men.  Thanks Dana, Amy D., Kelly G., Cathy, Michelle V., Craig, Ann C. for all your contributions in pulling this off!  If Dana is still going through the hallways today without her feet hitting the ground I would be one bit surprised!

Lady Gallagher-

Our wonderful head cook, Emie Gallagher (Lady Gallagher), is improving each day.  She is out of ICU, in a progressive room, hoping to get to a regular room today.  She was sitting up last evening.  The family is optimistic and glad to have her back to acting more like herself.  She appreciates all the prayers!

Another reminder-

Wednesday will be running hours 1-6 for a 30 minutes each.  (Weekly Top from Oct. 27th)

Turkey lunch today-

Today is the turkey, stuffing, mashed potato, pumpkin pie, corn, etc. lunch.  

Dress-Up next Wednesday, Nov. 22nd-

The tradition will continue as we dress nice for the day before Thanksgiving.  We do this to signify that we are thankful for many things!

Early Heads up on November 27th (School Improvement Meeting Date)-

We will have the Michigan State Police in on Monday, November 27th to give a short inservice on drugs and electronic devices.  It should be a good presentation.  Unless you have a game, please plan to attend. I would like as many staff there as possible.

Food Drive-

It was great to see a group venture between Student Council, Builders Club, and Interact Club for the food drive.  The Emergency shelter is very thankful and appreciative of our generosity.

Book Fair around the corner-

Kristin B. and Deb will be hosting the Upton Book Fair --  Monday, 11/27 through Friday, 12/8 in the media center. Our book fairs help to add to our wonderful collection.

Zero Influence- Zero gained responses-

I have read all 30 responses to the article that we read and jigsawed on Monday.  I really appreciate the discussions that were going on and the reflection that you each did.  It is good to talk about things like this.  It is also good to see others perspective.

Quote of the week-

In honor of Siaka's favorite author:

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." - J.R.R. Tolkien

Weekly Top for 11-10-17

UMS,

The weekly update is short and sweet this week!  It has been a long first week of the 2nd marking period!

Recycle this morning-
We are recycling after announcements today!

Thanks-
-  To all of you for a long day yesterday having great student conversations with parents and building relationships.  I only had one upset parent the entire evening come up to me.  That is incredible!
-  To Ann Essig for having all our name-tags out at conferences, and Amy D. for the itsLearning sheet on each table.
-  To our wonderful UPTO for the wonderful dinner at our break between conferences.
-  To our Amy P., Torrey, Beth, Tracy O., HS Admin., and Ann C. for coming together to plan the day today for our HS students on the unexpected death of Ricky H.
-  To all of you for the many emails, prayers, food dishes, etc. to the Mandarino family.  Ally is improving each day!  

Can't wait-
Next week Craig and I will be going into classrooms to see engagement and teaching.  Truly the best part of the job!

Staff Meeting Monday-

We will have a staff meeting on Monday.  It will begin at 2:55 P.M.  One of the topics is grading.  It will be a great conversation!

Quote of the week-

"The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." - Vince Lombardi

Enjoy the semi-extended weekend,

Chad

Weekly Top for 11-3-17

Folks,

End of the 1st Marking Period-
It is officially the end of the first marking period.  Wow!  Where did it go?  Grades are due on Tuesday, November 7th at 8:00 A.M.  Please remember Sherri's email on grade submission.

UPTO Remodeling this weekend-
Just a reminder that the start of the staff lounge remodeling will begin today after school and run some of the weekend.  Painting, carpeting, etc.  If you have something in the refrigerator please take it home for the weekend as they will be unplugged for awhile and the refrigerators will be replaced.

Next week agenda-

Monday, Nov. 6th-  

• No meeting after school

Tuesday, Nov. 7th-  

• Grades due 8:00 A.M.
• Chip Minton at 8:00 A.M. to address the student body (Late-Start Schedule)
• BLT at 2:50 P.M.
• Flu Shots from 3:00-5:00 P.M.

Wednesday, Nov. 8th-  

• Wizard of Oz performance at SJHS leave at around 8:45 A.M.  (Hours 2 & 3 will not take place)

Thursday, Nov. 9th- 

• 1/2 day- Hours 1, 2, and 3 Dismissal at 11:04 A.M.
• Conferences from 12:30-4:00 & 5:30-8:30 P.M.

Friday, Nov. 10th-  

• 1/2 day- Hours 4, 5, and 6 

Conferences-

We will not be printing report cards for next Thursday.  It will be important that you have a fully charged computer.  Please try to keep your conferences to 5 minutes or less.  The UPTO will be providing Charlies Piggin' and Grinnin' between afternoon & evening conferences.  I know it will be a long day, but parents always love the opportunity to make that relationship. :)

Staff Survey-

As part of our new school improvement report, we must survey the staff on various items.  Please take a few moments and give us your feedback.  Staff Survey Link

Knock-Out November-

We have a group effort going on between Builders Club, Interact Club, and Student council to provide non-perishable & toiletry items for the Emergency Safe Shelter.  Please encourage your homerooms to participate. 

Beautiful Landscaping Continues-

The beautiful landscaping continues around Upton.  If you haven't got a chance to look at the morning student entrance area/picnic area it really looks nice.  Rocque Emlong and his crew really worked hard on this last phase.

Lock your Door Please-

Please remember to lock your door each afternoon when you leave at the end of the school day.  We have so many activities going on at Upton in the evening, and we want to ensure your room is secure.

Quote of the week-

"We don't develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity." 

- Barbara DeAngelis