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

Weekly Top for 10-27-17

UMS Staff,

Sign the attendance sheet/s-
Please sign the attendance sheet at Grace's desk.  Thanks!

Thanks-
-  Torrey, Beth, and Amy for organizing Unity Day on Wednesday.
-  Matt for coordinating the staff vs. student volleyball game.  Thanks also to all the participants and fans!  The girls had a great time!  
-  Beth, Craig, Torrey, Amy, Dana, and Dave for their help with getting silent mentoring back going again.
-  Jenna, Amy, and Melissa for organizing a great 8th grade field trip!

1/2 days in November-

Thursday, November 9th - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hours

Friday, November 10th- 4th, 5th, and 6th hours.
The day before Thanksgiving every class for a 1/2 hour.

The high school is running the same schedule.

End of the Marking period is next Friday, November 3rd and Rotation submission-

The first marking period comes to an end next Friday, November 3rd.  Please refer to Sherri's email on submitting on Tuesday, October 24th at 3:46 P.M.

Also, rotation teacher grades are due this Monday, October 30th by 8:00 A.M.

Wizard of Oz leave time for 11-8-17-

Just another reminder that on Wednesday, November 8th we will be going to the high school to view part of the Wizard of Oz.  We will leave right around 8:50 A.M.  At the end of 1st hour we will have students return items to their lockers and only bring their coats.  

Former Olympian Bobsledder & Former Professional Wrestler, Chip Minton, on 11-7-17-

On Tuesday, November 7th at 8:00 A.M. will will have a former olympian bobsledder & former wrestler, Chip Minton, address our student body.  We will then run a one-hour/late start schedule.  It will be in the blue gym.

UPTO-

Our wonderful UPTO will once again be sponsoring Piggin & Grinnin between afternoon & evening conferences.  They also will be starting the remodeling of the teachers lounge after school next Friday (November 3rd) through the weekend.  The lounge will be out of commission for that time.  Last, they also voted to buy new baking sheets for our Foods classes. 

Quote of the week-

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." - Mahatma Gandhi

Have a good one,
Chad

Weekly Top for 10-20-17

UMS Staff,

Professional Growth Goal

October is the month we set aside to capture professional growth goals for the year in iObservation.  If you haven’t gone in yet this year to do so, please take some time before October 31st to add a paragraph to your professional portfolio online outlining what you are focusing on in your classroom. This is likely related in some way to our PLC work.

As a reminder, we worked last year to simplify the growth plan process.  Your paragraph doesn’t need to be elaborate .  Just what professional practices you are focusing  with the why its important to you /what you are hoping to accomplish (rationale) and how you intend to learn more about what you’ve selected.  

You do not need to intentionally connect it the Marzano framework, but DQ 1, 2, 3, and 5 continue to be our areas of focus as a district (communicating learning goals/tracking progress, expert lesson design for active processing of content, and engagement).

*** Wording is thanks to Michelle Allen ***

Hats Off Recognition Ceremony-

Congratulations to 8th graders: Joe Paine, Nick Strickler, Jared Svetlev on being recognized for their scores on the ACT/SAT at Michigan State University.  9th grader, George Weber, was also recognized as well.  Two SJPS teachers also received tributes, and they were our own Kelly Houseal and Dave Leonard.  Congratulations to all!

Science Field trip Reminder-

1/2 the 8th grade out Tuesday, October 24th and 1/2 out Thursday, October 26th at the fish hatchery and the water filtration plant.

Rotations change Tuesday, October 24th-

Rotation 2 will begin next Tuesday, October 24th for all 6th & 7th graders.

Michigan Department of Education Interviews-

The MDE asked Marzano research to interview some teachers in SJPS regarding teacher evaluation, and I would like to thank Ben, Jenna, Kara, and Rachel for participating.  They are interviewing teachers, principals, and central office staff all over the State of Michigan for feedback.  

Wizard of Oz Performance-

We are all going to go to the Wizard of Oz sneak peak performance at St. Joseph High School on Wednesday, November 8th.  This will take all of 2nd & 3rd hours to go back & forth and view the performance.  It will be tight on the buses, but it is only a short ride.  This will be a great chance to see all grades represented in this timeless classic!

Spirit Week-

Monday, October 30th- Pajama Day

Tuesday, October 31st- Halloween

Wednesday, November 1st- Favorite Sports Team

Thursday, November 2nd- Favorite Book, TV, or Movie Character

Friday, November 3rd- Neon & Crazy Hair Day

Thanks again-

A big thanks to everyone on "weathering the storm" from our episode last week.  Fake news grabs headlines as we all know.  You all were professional about it, and moved on with integrity as you always do. 

Quote of the week-

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored." - Earl Nightingale

Dates around the corner:

PTO- Thursday, October 26th at Noon

End of the 1st MP- Friday, November 3rd

Former Professional Athlete to address the Student Body- Tuesday, November 7th at 8:00 A.M.

Take care,

Chad

Weekly Top for 10-13-17

Thanks!-
-  Thanks to Ian Brown for coming up with a student accountability pilot for anyone interested.  The whole 6th grade is going to do it for sure every Tuesday morning during recycling time.  I would like to encourage everyone to do this.  It may later be something we 100% do, but for right now we will call it a pilot.  I will have Ian share it out today.
-  The cat is out of the bag on changes to the staff lounge. (I wanted it to be a surprise, but it just didn't work out.) I really want to thank Becky Heaps and Cindy Igoe for their leadership.  Many changes are coming.

Wonderful Choir Concert-
Last evening the 6th-8th graders performed for the first concert of the year for UMS.  Beth as always had the choirs ready and sounding good! 

Technology Choices-
Please read Amy's email from last evening regarding your technology choices.  I can't wait to read about your choices.  You are doing great things!

DLT Reps at Ruby Payne-
The representatives of the District Leadership team and I will be at Ruby Payne PD on Monday in Niles.  The framework for the PD looks at the obstacles and hurdles that students of low-SES face and how to help them be more successful.

Facebook Photo-

Friday is the facebook photo day for Upton Middle School.  If you have a great picture please share it with me, so that I can send it to Central for the SJPS Facebook page.  Today I am going to try and get a few photos of the Socratic Method in Chris G's room and maybe a 7th grader giving a speech in Cathy G's room.

Rotations coming to an end-

The first rotation will be over on Monday, October 23rd.  The second rotation begins on Tuesday, October 24th.

Around the corner-

Don't forget 8th grade science students will be out Oct. 24th (1/2) and Oct. 26th (the other 1/2) at their annual fish hatchery and water filtration plant field trip.

Quote of the week-

"Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction."  - Margaret Thatcher

Have a good one,

Chad