Weekly Top for 10-29-21

 Folks,

Important Survey-

Please make sure you give your feedback on the survey Kelly G. sent this morning.  We value teacher feedback on conferences.

End of the marking periods-

End of Rotation 1 is today.  Rotation 2 starts Monday, November 1st.  Some students in 6th grade may need help knowing where to go.

UPTO-

The UPTO will be delivering a treat to the lounge at some point this morning.  We had a UPTO meeting last evening where a few teacher grants were awarded.  This group really wants to support you in many ways.  Please reach out if you need something.

Orchestra Concert Next Tuesday, November 2nd-

Next Tuesday evening beginning at 7:00 PM in the John & Dede Auditorium at SJHS is the 7th & 8th grade middle school orchestra concert.  It will be a great concert!

Congratulations to Choir and Band-

Last week was a great choir concert  and this week we had a great band concert!  We have so many students involved in the performing arts programs and the talent is so fun to watch develop!

Thanks 8th Grade Science Teachers!-

We really appreciate the 8th grade science teachers organizing and taking the students to the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery and Sarrett Natute Center this week.  It is a big responsibility and I know the students enjoyed it!

Around the corner-

I am working with Cassidy to have sneak peek showing of The Sound of Music at SJHS on Tuesday, November 15th.  We have a few details to work out with the transportation department, but I believe we will leave around 9:10 AM to go to the John & Dede Auditorium to watch this great show!

Sign the sheet-

If you haven't signed the sheet in front of Grace's desk, please do so today.  Thanks!

Quote of the week-

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Chad

Weekly Top for 10-22-21

 Folks,

Monday School Improvement-

We have a school improvement meeting Monday after school in the media center beginning at 2:55 PM.

Monday over the PA-

I will introduce the word of the week which is -  Forgiveness.  As always please try to mix the P2 word into your classroom wherever you see it as appropriate.

Speaking of the PA-

Bells and the PA should be working in each classroom now.  Today my announcement will be over the PA, so if you are still not hearing an announcement or the bells we need to know.  Please email Laura on this.

Tuesday's Advisory-

Tuesday's advisory will include:

• You will meet individually with each advisory student as they show you their grades on PowerSchool.  You will see what they think they should choose for GO time and remind them to have 2 backup choices.
• A Wellness check-in (Students can do this as you are meeting with students)
• While you are meeting with students they can be reading or working on other school work.
• If time allows P2 Day 1 or Day 2 on Forgiveness
• 
  

GO Time-

• GO time went really well at the HS yesterday, so I am optimistic it will go well here as well
• GO time menu items in the menu by 3:00 PM 
• Students will look at the menu Thursday at the end of 2nd hour and choose their 3 top choices

Goals by Oct. 31st-

Just another reminder that goals are due in iObservation by October 31st.  New teachers please check in with your mentors if you need help with this.  Many of you had the goal you wanted stated to Craig and I at your final evaluation last year, but you are welcome to change it if you wanted.

Gone Thursday and Friday-

Craig and I will be at a PD session next Thursday and Friday.  Amy Dirlam will be here in the office.

Great Day Tuesday and Wednesday-

I felt the advisory Tuesday and the Wednesday Unity Day was a great success.  The lunchroom Wednesday was very upbeat as the students sang and danced!  (A great activity for the Climate & Culture group). Thanks Torrey, Suzi, and Beth for helping to plan this!  I also would like to acknowledge our UPTO for their wonderful messages around the building! 

Quote of the Week (From the P2 word of the week) -

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Chad

Weekly Top for 10-15-21

Folks,

Monday's PD Day -

We will start the day in the student center at SJHS.  We will then proceed to the HS Media Center.

We will discuss the following items from 8:00-10:00 AM:

• School Improvement 101
• Go Time 2021-22
• Advisory Next Week (Anti-Bullying & P2)

From 10:15-1:15 will be Dr. Adolph Brown. 

Dr. Brown will also offer sessions for the entire community at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. 

SafeSchools-

Please remember that Safeschool classes are due by 11:59 PM on October 17th. 

Sign the Sheet Please -

Just a reminder to sign the sheets in front of Grace's desk for 1:1 pupil accounting.

Tuesday Advisory-

Anti-Bullying and Unity day advisory.  Your lesson guide is in the Upton Middle School Staff Google classroom under advisory. You will have some time on Monday to look through this more in detail, so that you are comfortable with it on Tuesday.  You also received materials in your mailbox this week.  I will introduce the P2 word of integrity before school on Tuesday that will take the place of Day 1.

Upton Choir Concert-

We will have a choir concert at the John & Dede Auditorium at SJHS next Tuesday, October 19th at 7:00 PM.  All of our performing arts concerts will put a smile on your face and students love seeing you there.

Good articles for next week's theme-

Teaching Kindness Article

Bullying Article 

Attention Veterans... -

Hello SJPS family!

 

SJHS Student Senate is excited to bring back the annual Veterans Breakfast this year! We could use your help spreading the word about this event. Please share the invitation below (also attached as a pdf) with all Veterans in your life. We are looking forward to honoring the Veterans in our community!

 

Teachers, if your class would like to contribute anything to the Veterans Breakfast please let me know! In the past, we have had cards, banners, and video clips. I know that these pieces created by your students mean so much to the Veterans that attend the breakfast. 

 

Thank you for your help spreading the word! 

Amanda Wallace

You made my week! -

I really enjoyed the meeting Wednesday morning.  The things that were said in our circle were powerful!  Keep the momentum going of being that bright spot in your colleague's day!

Congratulations #28 -

It is because of the great students, great parents, and great staff that Upton Middle School has been selected #28 in the state of Michigan by U.S. News & World Report.  Congratulations! It was just brought to my attention yesterday!  Here is the link:  

Best Middle Schools in the State of Michigan

Quote of the week-

Have a fantastic weekend,

Chad

Weekly Top.....

 Folks,

Monday/Friday -

Based on your feedback in the survey and conversations with staff, we will be eliminating Monday and Friday advisory.  We will be having advisory on Tuesday and eventually GO time on Thursday.  GO time will be beginning in the near future.  (More to come on this)  Starting on Monday the bell system will be the schedule we have had in the past.  We will also talk in the near future of how we will do P2 once GO time begins.  I will send out the guide for next week shortly.

Next Wednesday -

Next Wednesday, October 13th is a late start school improvement meeting in the media center beginning at 7:35 AM.

Safe Schools-

Just a reminder that Safe schools training is due by Sunday, October  17th.  Megan D. sent an email out on Sept. 17th with directions.

Dr. Adolph Brown and...-

I hope you had the chance to read Kelly G.'s email yesterday about the PD day on Monday, October 18th and Dr. Brown visiting us again!  We will start the day as an Upton staff at the high school in the choir room at 8:00 AM.  At 10:15, Dr. Brown will begin for the entire staff in SJPS until 1:15 PM.

Goal in iObservation by Oct.31-

Your annual growth goal (which you already created at the end of last school year for this year) must be posted as a paragraph in iObservation by October 31st.  New staff see your mentor if you need assistance on where you would put that.

A's & P's -

Thank you for your attendance this week.  The auditor requiring the P's back is an extra step, so we appreciate your attention to this.  Also, don't forget to sign the sheet in front of Grace's desk for this week.

Flu Shot next week Thursday-

Last call for signups in the office for the flu shots next Thursday, October 14th.  You are welcome to to sign up spouses as well.

Around the corner-

The 8th grade fish hatchery/Sarrett Nature Center visit is back!

If an 8th grade student has Francis/Foster they will be gone on Tuesday, October 26.

If an 8th grade student has MacKellar/Milletics they will be gone on Thursday, October 28.

Postive Vibes-

Please keep bringing the positive vibes.  Part of our school improvement meeting next week will involve this. 😀

Go Bears -

Go Bears, beat the Lancers!  Tonight at 7:00 PM at Dickinson Stadium will be a great crowd for a great high school rivalry game!

Quote of the week-

Have a great Friday, weekend, and once again "Go Bears!"

Chad

Weekly Top for 10-1-21

 Folks,

Happy Custodial Day  -

Happy custodial day (actually nationally it is tomorrow) to a great group of guys!  These men serve with a smile and a what can I do for you type of attitude.  We are lucky to have them and we want to thank them for all that they do!

Advisory Feedback -

If you haven't given your advisory feedback please do so today.  It is important to us that we hear from you.  To those that have responded I appreciate your thoughts.  Emails were not collected to match answers so it is totally anonymous.

School Improvement Monday-

We will meet in the media center at 2:55 for our school improvement meeting on Monday, Oct. 4th.

Safe Schools Training -

Just a reminder that Safe school courses are due by Sunday, October 17th.  Please see Megan Dongvillo's email from September 17th for more details.  If you have any trouble logging in please contact Megan Dongvillo.  Here is the website and log in information:

SafeSchools:  https://stjoseph-mi.safeschools.com/login

Username: firstname.lastname 

Count Day/Pupil Accounting Signature -

Please make sure you sign the sheet in front of Grace's desk for pupil accounting.  Thanks!

Board of Education Meeting Monday -

The SJPS board of education meeting will be in the John & Dede Howard Auditorium on Monday, October 4th beginning at 6:30 PM.  This will take the place of the October 18th meeting.

All Means All-

The "all means all" sticker that was in your box should go on your laptop at the top in the middle.  All means all is something I think every one of us believes with the students in this school.  You all have a student-centered mindset.  This was a motto of Dave lived as well.

Next week's word- "Open-mindedness"-

The words for P2 next week are "open-mindedness".  I think if we all dig deep we could all agree that this is something we need more of in this world!  

Contracts- 

You can turn your contract into Laura or put it in the envelope near the end of the mailboxes near the office entrance.  Thanks!

Positive Vibes-

Thanks for adding your positive vibes to the bucket! I so enjoy reading these heading into the weekend!  Some of these things we would never hear about if not for this bucket, and you are all doing some incredible things!

Quote of the week-

Have a great Friday and weekend,

Chad