INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

ATTENDENCE POLICY

PG. 3 & 4

TITLE I INFORMATION

PG. 5 & 6

PARENTING WORKSHOP

INFORMATION

PG. 7

POINTS OF INTEREST:

AVID NEWS

PG. 9

PTO NEWS

PG. 12

WACKY WEDNESDAY

FLYER

PG. 15

COSTCO SCHOOL EVENT

FLYER

PG. 16

Dear Shepherd Junior High Parents & Families,

We are happy to welcome our students to Shepherd Junior High School for the 2015-2016 year! Shepherd is an A+ school and for the 4th year in a row and we have received an ‘A’ rating from the Arizona Department of Education. This is the year that we reapply for our A+ designation and we are looking forward to the reflective process. Andrew Beck, Shepherd math and 8th grade AVID teacher, will be our principal writer.

At Shepherd each student is an integral part of our total school program. School pride is important, as is pride in personal accomplishments. Our theme for the year is “HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE.” All members of the Shepherd Team are learning about how to support and encourage each other. Teachers are here to support your students not only during class time, but outside of class with before and after school tutoring.

Students will be given a set of textbooks for both home and school use, thereby eliminating the need to carry heavy books to school. They will need a 3 ring binder with pockets in the front & back, dividers, a pencil pouch with pencils, pens & highlighter, and lined paper.

We are very proud of our students! Supportive parents, dedicated teachers, and a hard-working staff make their achievements possible. I extend a sincere thank you to each person who makes a positive contribution. As we continue to work together, our students will continue to learn and to succeed.

Sincerely,

Eileen Cahoon

Principal

Shepherd Scoop

September

2015

Key Shepherd

Personnel

The Shepherd office is

open week days

8:00am-4:00pm.

Main Office 472-1804

Attendance 472-1805

Bookstore 472-1806

Cafeteria 472-1840

Counseling 472-1816

Media Center 472-1808

Nurse 472-1812

Psychologist 472-1818

Unexcused

Absence

Parents, did you know that

an unexcused absence

stays on your student's

Attendance record? Please

call the Attendance line at

480-472-1805 and we will

be happy to clear those for

you!

Please send in your Box Tops. Collection boxes are in the front office

and the Media Center. Don’t forget to ask your friends and relatives to collect for

Shepherd.

Media Center News

August was a busy month for the Media Center. Students checked

out their textbooks, eighth grade Social Studies started a research

project, and seventh grade had library orientation.

We are asking parents and students to please put textbooks in a safe place at home. When a textbook comes back damaged,

we are required to put a fine on the student’s account.

In September, the READ Club will start up for the year. If your

student loves to read, this is the club for them! Announcements will

be made regarding days and times.

We are also looking for volunteers to become part of the Media Squad. These volunteers help out in the library during their lunch. They work a fifteen minute shift, and can use their volunteer hours toward Service Learning.

Student Council Congratulations to the newest members of our Student Coucil.

September Students of the Month 7th Grade Girl: Kate Brockman 7th Grade Boy: Austin Brooks

8th Grade Girl: Diana Romero

8th Grade Boy: Ammon Huston

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7th GRADE 8th GRADE

Charles Baker Kaylee Ashby

Camilla Gambell Alexis Benson

Reggie Hannah Suzanne Craig

Cody Minutella Carolina Meza

Aidan Peavler Kiaya Stearns

Alexcia Ruiz Mackenzi Stein

William Veres Lauren Robinson

PTO News Hello Shepherd Families,

The 2015-2016 school year has begun and the PTO

has a couple of open positions that we would like to fill

ASAP! The goal of the PTO is to enlist the talents of as

many Shepherd parents, friends and families to work as

a team for the welfare of our students for success of

our children. Our responsibility is to consider all

persons who are interested in a particular PTO position.

You may also recommend someone you think would be

ideal candidate for a board position. The following

positions are available: Vice President, Secretary, and Restaurant

Coordinator. An hour or two of your time truly makes a difference. Our

meetings are held every second Thursday of every month at 4:00 p.m.

The majority of our fundraisers are operated by third party organizations,

which translates to minimal time needed by our board members. We also

have the occasional evening events for curriculum nights, and Show Off

Shepherd! Your time is needed, however it will be very minimal as we use

our volunteer in short time slots.

The first fundraiser will be in September with Gold Canyon Candles.

October will bring our Shepherd Boo Bash at Peter Piper’s Pizza. We are

also holding fundraisers in multiple restaurants throughout the year.

If you want to only volunteer at events, and would like to be notified of

upcoming events, please contact me to be put on the email list.

Thank you again in advance for your time and interest in the Shepherd PTO.

Warmest Regards,

Naomi Evans PTO President shepherdjrpto@gmail.com

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Fall Dance Our Fall Dance is Friday, September 4th from 4:00-6:00pm in the Gym. You must

have a Shepherd ID to enter the dance. Tickets will be on-sale in the Bookstore for

$4.00 and must be pre-purchased by noon on Friday, September 4th. For students’

safety, no one will be released from the dance until 6:00pm unless a parent comes to

get them early. All students must be picked up by 6:15pm. Don’t forget your socks!

Soda, water and candy will be sold for $1.00 each.

Remember, dress code and cell phone rules apply at the dance.

GET WACKY!!!

Wacky Wednesdays are back!!

Starting in September, Shepherd PTO will be selling snow cones and other yummy treats on Wednesdays. Remember to bring your cash and join in the fun! Go to the flyer in the back of the Scoop for further details.

AVID What an exciting year our AVID students will be experiencing! We are

celebrating the fact that we can already see what amazing, outgoing students we

have in our growing AVID program. Although we just joined the AVID schools in

Mesa last year, we now have included an additional 7th grade class this year and

the kids are off to a roaring start.

During this semester, our first event will be STEM/College Night on

October 29th from 5:30-7:00pm. We will have food trucks, visiting colleges,

college boards created by our own AVID students, BMX bikes and lots of STEM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) activities, including Red Mountain

Robotics and the Astronomy Club.

Next month the kids will partner with tutors from ASU and MCC to help

begin our tutorials. This is where AVID students really begin to figure out how to

solve problems they don’t understand; whether it is in Math, English or Science.

Just a reminder, once tutorials begin, students will have homework every Monday

and Wednesday night in the form of a Tutorial Request Form (TRF). We will have

a family night and serve grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and selected students

will perform a “mock Tutorial”

Second semester we already have fun events planned. One of the big

events is a field trip to ASU to gain university awareness through participation in

several events. We are also organizing a family Fishing Derby at Red Mountain

Park with a fishing instructor. Poles will be provided by the Department of Fish

and Game. We will end the year with an emotional AVID Promotion for our current

8th graders to send them off to Red Mountain to shine in their AVID program next

year!

The slogan for AVID is, “Proven

Achievement. Lifelong Advantage.” We

are so proud of our Shepherd AVID

students.

Understanding Common Core Standards for

Math and Language Arts

Stand for Children has launched a new parent information tool to help parents understand the new requirements for Math and Language Arts under the Common Core Standards.

The Web site www.DoYourHomeworkArizona.org was created by Stand for Children Arizona to assist parents with understanding Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards. The site is unique as it breaks down content by grade and subject, explains concepts in plain language, gathers the most high quality resources from multiple sources that best speak to parents, and does not require users to supply any personal information to access content.

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Stallion

Café

Breakfast meals - $1.50 Lunch Combo Meals - $2.50

Remember a child who doesn’t eat breakfast, doesn’t do as well on tests as those who start the day with a good, healthy breakfast! Come and see us in the cafeteria and have a great start to your day!! The Stallion Café offers nutritious, well-balanced, and affordable meals to all Shepherd students.

The Energy Zone for Junior

High Students can be

viewed online at:

www.mpsaz.org/food

Remember MySchool-

Bucks.com to fund your

child’s meal account:

www.myschoolbucks.com

What is Title I?

Dear Parents, Shepherd Junior High receives additional supplemental funds through a Title I grant from the federal government to provide extra supplementary services for all of our students. Your children will benefit directly or indirectly from this extra help. At Shepherd these funds along with other federal resources will be consolidated to support school-wide positive changes. Funds can be used to: Hire highly qualified instructional personnel to assist teachers within

the classrooms Provide training for staff and teachers Provide supplemental instructional materials and technology Ensure high-quality School-wide Programs Increase parent involvement participation We are pleased to have these funds to provide high quality instruction for all children. Estimados Padres: La escuela Shepherd Junior High recibe fondos suplementarios adicionales a través de una subvención de Título I del gobierno federal para proveer servicios suplementarios extras a todos nuestros estudiantes. Sus hijos se beneficiarán directa o indirectamente de esta ayuda. En la escuela Shepherd estos fondos junto con otros recursos federales, serán consolidados para apoyar cambios escolares positivos. Los fondos pueden ser utilizados para: Contratar a personal docente altamente calificado para ayudar a los

maestros en la clase Proveer entrenamiento para los empleados y maestros Proveer material de instrucción suplemental y tecnología Asegurar programas escolares de la mayor calidad Aumentar la participación de los padres en la escuela Nos complace tener estos fondos para proporcionar instrucción de alta calidad a todos los estudiantes.

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For the 2015-2016

school year.

Reasons to GET

INVOLVED in your

school’s PTO!

Increase student success

It’s important to the school

You’ll get connected

You’ll be part of a network

You’ll make a difference

You’ll be a role model

You’ll help raise necessary

funds

It’s flexible

Be in the know

It’s for every parent

Feel free to email:

shepherdjrpto@gmail.com or

check out our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/

groups/ShepherdPTO

**Next PTO meeting is

Thursday, September

10th at 4:oo pm

We are currently

seeking volunteers for

the following posi-

tions:

Vice President

Secretary

Restaurant

Coordinator

Intramurals We have begun our first session of intramural sports which consists of boys

basketball, girls soccer and wrestling. Games will begin in the next couple of weeks!

Our next Intramurals will begin following October Break. Girls badminton, softball,

baseball and boys volleyball all will be offered during the second session of

Intramurals. If you are interested in coaching or have any questions, please contact

Mr. Fletcher asap at (480) 472-1907.

We have an urgent need for qualified coaches and volunteers.

Fingerprinting and background checks take several weeks and will be required for

any coaching applicants.

~Mr. Fletcher

Physical Education / Weight Training

Welcome back Shepherd Stallions! I am looking forward to another exciting year.

We began this amazing year by completing the baseline fitness testing for all

students.

During this semester I will be teaching a unit on CPR in addition to fitness

components and nutrition. I look forward to working with your student to progress

and watching them reach their potential. Have a great and healthy semester.

~Coach Ziebell

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Performing Arts Welcome Back Shepherd Students! On Friday, September 11th, we will be having our Junior High Band Night for 8th graders at the Red Mountain Football Game. Upcoming Concert Dates:

Thursday, Sept. 24th Choir Concert 7:00pm

Tuesday, Oct. 6th Band Concert 6:30pm

Tuesday, Oct. 6th Orchestra Concert 7:30pm

Shepherd Tardy Policy

Tardiness:

Interrupts learning for everyone in the classroom.

Students who are tardy miss the very important

beginning of class.

Good attendance and punctuality are skill for success

in life; that is why we emphasize both.

1. Tardiness will be excused for the following reasons:

Medical, dental or counseling appointment

Court appointment

Funeral or Family emergency

Tardiness caused by missing the bus, sleeping in, babysitting, accompanying other people to

appointments, etc. will not be excused.

2. Attendance Reminders:

All late arrivals are to report to the Front Office to sign in and receive a pass.

When returning from an appointment, please report to the Front Office first before

returning to class to get pass.

If you are more than 10 minutes late to a class, you will be reported absent instead of

tardy.

Check in with teacher and get a hall pass before you see an administrator, counselor, or

nurse.

3. Consequences For Tardies:

1.First and Second Offense: Verbal Warning

2.Third Offense: Lunch detention along with parent contact by note, phone, or

conference

3. Additional offense: administrator referral to ALC, parent contact

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Counselor Corner

Do you have a teenager? In this series of five workshops, parents will learn skills for raising teens who are

responsible, respectful and resilient!

Each workshop is set up as an individual class, so parents can attend the ones that work best for their schedule. Come with challenges—leave with great tools for your parenting tool belt!

September 1st Teens Who Are Respectful Teens who are respectful… who don’t bicker or talk back… who

follow directions… who do their homework… AND THEIR CHORES!... Who are fun to spend time with….

IN YOUR DREAMS, RIGHT?

NO—IT’S POSSIBLE! LET ME SHOW YOU HOW! September 15th Problem Solving and Guiding Your Teen Toward Better Behaviors Is your child

underperforming at school or misbehaving at home? You ask them why and the answer is, “I don’t know.” You

ground them but it doesn’t do much good. Learn to go beyond consequences to problem solving, and guide your

teen toward better behaviors that will lead them to success, and you to more joyful parenting!

September 22nd More Effective Ways of Communicating With Your Teen Remember the adults in the Charlie

Brown specials? Do you ever feel like one of those adults—all your teen seems to hear is “Wah wah wah wah wah”?

Learn more effective ways of communicating with your teen about tough topics—anything from homework to dating

to drugs—and grow your connection by listening to their words… so they will listen to yours.

September 29th Skills for Self-Confidence and Resilience Life’s a bumpy road. Parents want to protect kids from

tough experiences, but the reality is, we can protect them most by teaching them skills for self-confidence and

resilience. Learn strategies for helping your teen see challenges as problems they are capable of solving, while

deepening your connection as a family.

To register, go to www.mpsaz.org/parentu Click on the Registration Form and complete it with the workshops you plan to attend.

Questions? Contact Eva Dwight at 480.472.1817 or endwight@mpsaz.org

Continuing education credits are available, two hours per workshop.

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Parenting Partners: Raising a Successful Teen

Shepherd Jr. High Media Center

1407 N. Alta Mesa Drive, Mesa, AZ

Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Parents Right to Know

Title I School-wide and/or Target Assistance Programs

We are pleased to notify you that in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act of

2001, you have the right to request information regarding the professional

qualifications of your child’s teacher. Specifically, you may request the following:

Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade

levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.

Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through

which State qualification or licensing criteria has been waived.

The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate

certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the

certification or degree.

Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their

qualifications.

If you would like to receive this information, please contact your school’s

principal, Eileen Cahoon, at 480-472-1801 and she will be happy to assist you.

Derecho de los padres en conocer ~ Programa Título I en toda la escuela y

Programa Título I para cumplir objetivos

Nos complace informarle en conformidad con la ley Ningún Niño se Queda Atrás de

2001, usted tiene el derecho de solicitar información sobre los títulos profesionales del

maestro de su hijo. Específicamente, puede solicitar lo siguiente:

Si el maestro ha cumplido los requisitos estatales y criterios de licenciatura para los

niveles de estudios y áreas de asignaturas en las que el maestro proporciona instruc-

ción.

Si el maestro está enseñando bajo un certificado de enseñanza alternativa u otro es-

tado provisional a través de que el requisito estatal o criterio de licenciatura han sido

renunciados.

El título de licenciatura del maestro y cualquier otro certificado de graduación o

título que tiene el maestro, y el campo de la disciplina de la certificación o título.

Si el niño reciba servicios de un paraprofesional (un ayudante capacitado para

ayudar a una persona profesional) y, si es así, sus títulos/certificaciones.

Si desea recibir esta información, por favor comuníquese con el director de la escuela Eileen Cahoon al 480-472-1801 y ella estará encantado de ayudarle.

9

ECA Tax Credit

Arizona law provides a tax

credit for contributions to

public schools to support

extracurricular activities.

It’s never too early to

consider an ECA tax

donation to Shepherd Jr.

High. You can benefit from

the dollar for dollar tax

credit and everybody wins!

Activities such as sports,

visual and performing arts,

special programs, charac-

ter building, field trips,

clubs, outdoor

education, gifted

programs or classroom

enrichment programs can

be funded with tax credit

money.

Costco School Event Come out to Costco on Sept. 26th from 8:30am - Noon and for everyone $100 you spend, a ream of paper will be donated to our school. Early Bird Special: Show up before 9am and a ream of paper will be donated for every $55 spent. Please see the flyer for this event on page 16. Come out and support our school.

Health Office News

Welcome back to school students and parents!! By now everyone is settling into their new 2015-2016 school year routines! The Shepherd Health Office just wants to make sure you and your children are as healthy as possible so that we are off to a good educational start!!

Medications at School – Parent Information

When it is necessary for a student to take medication during school hours, the following requirements must be met:

Prescription medication must be in the ORIGINAL container with a non-expired prescription label.

Over-the-counter medications must be in the ORIGINAL container with original package directions.

Age-appropriate dosage as stated on the label will be dispensed. A Parent’s Consent for Giving Medication at School must be signed by

the parent/guardian for us to administer medication to the child. Name of student, dosage, time, dates to be given, and the name of the

medication must be clearly stated. It is recommended that when you get a prescription filled that you request a separate “school bottle” from the pharmacy. This is especially

important with liquid medications (such as antibiotics) that have to be refrigerated.

All inhalers, self-carry or not, must have a pharmacy-placed label on them or have the inhaler inside the box that has the pharmacy label placed on the outside of the box. Inhalers not properly labeled are not allowed per District policy.

Medications given three times a day are discouraged at school. Please make arrangements to give these medications before and after school.

Narcotic pain mediation will not be given at school. Medications brought to school and not meeting the necessary requirements will not be dispensed. The medication will be locked in the

Health Office until a parent/guardian verifies the medication, signs the proper forms or takes it home.

Please contact one of the Health Office staff for information regarding the procedure for Epi-Pens.

Natural/Herbal Preparations/Essential Oils and Food Supplements will be treated the same as over-the-counter medications.

10

Health Office News

What can I do to keep my child and/or children healthy this

year?

The control of communicable (catching) disease during the school year is a difficult problem and an important responsibility. The first responsibility must fall upon the home because parents know the normal appearance of their children and should be the first to detect signs of illness. Frequent hand washing is the best prevention! The following rules will help control communicable diseases in the community: 1. Your child should remain at home if exhibiting any signs of illness. 2. When questioning illness, your family physician is the appropriate person to contact to determine whether or not your child should be in school. Some signs of illness: Fever Diarrhea Severe Sore Throat Draining Wound Vomiting All students with a fever need to remain at home until they are fever free without the aid of fever reducing medication (Tylenol, Ibuprofen etc.).

Remember that a good night’s sleep (at least 8hrs) and proper nutrition will

help your child/children perform at their very best. Thank you for all of your

help and we look forward to this new school year!

Shepherd Health Office

Students must be HEALTHY to be educated, and educated to be HEALTHY!!

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Every School Day Matters- Can We Count

You In? Every day at Shepherd, administration, faculty and staff deliver this important message, backed up

by research:

Every period absence matters at every grade level.

Every class period missed is a period of instruction missed, and another day of classroom

interaction with students and teachers that can’t be recovered.

The following steps are taken to increase daily attendance:

1. Parent/Guardian is required to do one of the following:

Call in an absence prior to 9am on the day of the absence:

472-1804 – Audrey McIntosh

472-1805 – Automated Attendance Line

Write an excuse giving the following information:

student’s name

date

day(s) of absence

reason for the absence.

Provide documentation for medical, dental, counseling or court appointments

promptly.

Schedule appointments and vacations outside of school hours.

If a student arrives 10 minutes after the class period begins, the tardy will

be recorded as an absence.

2. School: We track and report attendance every period, every day!

Attendance letters are mailed home when a student reaches:

5,10, & 15 class period absences (Excused or unexcused)

Automated phone messages and emails are sent out

to alert parents of student class period absences

twice a day.

Each month we recognize improved attendance

with a certificate and incentive.

3. District: MPS District Attendance Officer will intervene when a student reaches:

5-7 unexcused class period absences - meet with individual student and discuss

attendance issues. Once warned and unexcused class period absences continue, a

citation may be issued.

12 unex/ex class period absences* - meet and give an attendance warnings

20 unex/ex class period absences* – may issue citation & refer to Maricopa County

Juvenile Court

* no doctor, orthodontic, counseling, court documentation, or funeral

notice

Let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on

time every day. We want your child to be a successful Shepherd Stallion.

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As a general rule, a tardy/

absence for a reason that is

not necessary or compelling

to override the student’s

daily attendance will not be

excused.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

1

2

9:35am - Late Start

3

4

8:15am - SAC

4pm - School Dance

7 8

9

9:35 - Late Start

3:55pm - Sign

Language Club

10

8am - NJHS

11

14 15 16

Binder Checks

1st Period

11:05am - Late Start

17 18

21 22 23

9:35am - Late Start

3:55pm - Sign

Language Club

24

7pm - Choir Concert

25

28

29

8am - All Pro Retakes

30

9:35am - Late Start

September 2015

13

14

WHEN

September 9thAfter SchoolWHERE

Out back & Out Front

GET WACKY!

FUN SNACKS

PRICING50 cents to $1.00

ITEMS AVAILABLE

Water

Candy

Soda

Chips

Granola Bars

Other Wacky Snacks

Costco Cash Card offer is valid only when you join in person with a Costco representative at this event. Valid only for new members for their � rst year of membership. Limit one Costco Cash Card offer per household. Offer is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other offer or coupon. Costco Cash Cards are not redeemable for cash. A Gold Star Membership is $55 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $55 upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes a free Household Card. Please include sales tax in all applicable states. Costco accepts cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT, Costco Cash Cards, Costco Credit Cards and American Express. Employees of Costco are excluded from this offer. AWARENESS CODE: 63000

Receive a $20 Costco Cash Card when you join as a new Executive Member.Or, receive a $10 Costco Cash Card when you join as a new Gold Star or Business Member.

Enjoy refreshments and learn about the surprising ways Costco can save your family money — even on � u shots!

Special Offers:

Invitation for the faculty, staff and families of:

You must be a member to shop at Costco. Not a member? See our offers at this event!

SDR000041B 0714

Saturday, September 26, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

One ream of paper will be

donated to your school

for every $100 you spend*

POW

ER RD

E SOUTHERN AVE

MESACOSTCO

60

E HAMPTON AVE

MESA

1444 S. Sossaman RoadMesa, AZ 85209

S SOSSA

MA

N RD

RSVP to: Linda Jones (480) 333-6568 w01028mkt02@costco.com

• Mesa School's • Apache Junction School's

• Gilbert School's

Offer Expires: 09/26/2015

*One ream of paper will be donated to a school listed above, for every $100 spent on the same receipt during this event.

It’s that time of year again! Shepherd families can register with Fry’s Community Rewards and we earn money for our school! The more families who register and select Shepherd Jr. High the more money we will receive. Reregister every year at the beginning of the school year. Please take advantage of this program and help support your school. How to Re-Enroll for the Fry’s Community Rewards Program

Go to https://www.frysfood.com/topic/community?activePage=community rewards-2

Select ‘Sign-In.’ Enter your email and password then select ‘sign in.’ Select ‘My Account’, you should see Account Summary at the top. Scroll down, Click ‘ENROLL’ under Community Rewards. If prompted,

enter personal information. Under Find Your Organization: Enter the NPO number 80640 or Shepherd Junior High School PTO then select ‘search’. Under Select Your Organization: Select box next to your organization. Then select ‘save changes.’

If you have registered correctly, you should now see your organization information listed under ‘Community Rewards’ on your Account Summary page. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!