#PointerNation News

Throughout the year, 1st graders will be "traveling" to places around the world! This week, they traveled to New York City to hear about how the fireboat named John J. Harvey helped during 9/11.

Mineral Point High School is proud to announce that Matthew Goninen has earned academic honors from the College Board as a recipient of the National Rural/Small Town Recognition Award!

Matthew earned this honor by excelling on his PSAT and AP Exams, as well as in the classroom. To be eligible, students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the PSAT, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams, and attend school in a rural area or small town.

These national recognition programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, helping them meaningfully connect to colleges and stand out during the admissions process. Colleges and scholarship programs identify the students through College Board’s Student Search Service.

Congrats, Matthew, on this fine award!

(Graphic uses a photo taken by Madisyn Heim)

4K & EC students had a blast listening to the story "Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses!" Thanks to our friends at Cummins, they each received their own pair of magic glasses that changed color when they went outside. How fun!

The cast and crew list for our high school's upcoming production of "Big Fish School Edition" at the Mineral Point Opera House has been announced! Congrats to all! Read more about the production here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/09/big-fish-cast-crew-announced/

Join us Wednesday, September 18 for an important Community Information Meeting on the upcoming November 5 Operating Referendum.

Superintendent Mitch Wainwright will discuss the state of school funding in Wisconsin and the vital role the upcoming operating referendum plays for the future of our schools.

Bring your questions as we explore how this initiative will impact our educational foundation and ensure continued success for our students.

The meeting will begin at 6 pm in the middle/high school cafeteria.

You can also learn more about the operating referendum at: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024-referendum/

Feel free to reach out to Superintendent Wainwright with your questions at 608-987-0740 or mitch.wainwright@mp.k12.wi.us.

Check out the latest column "How did we get here?" by Superintendent Mitch Wainwright: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/09/how-did-we-get-here/

Article and video from Monday's regular September School Board meeting has been posted: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/09/september-school-board-notes-votes-2/

3rd graders completed a toothpaste activity that taught students about their words. Words and actions can be said or done but not easily taken back, just like trying to get toothpaste back in a tube. A great lesson for us all!

Congrats to our #PointerNation high school class officers! Kudos to these students for taking on a leadership role!

-- Senior Class President & Student Body President: Matthew Goninen

Senior Class Officer Team: Ella Kroll, Eli Lindsey, Laci Lindsey, Taitin Riley

-- Junior Class President: Kalea Biddick

Junior Class Officer Team: Adam Cody, Grady Finley, Macy Kinch, Mady Knutson

-- Sophomore Class President: Johnny Robinson

Sophomore Class Officer Team: Emily Heisner, Sophie Miller, Faye Schuette, Ronica Thousand

-- Freshman Class President: Cambrey Carey

Freshman Class Officer Team: Tenleigh Bockhop, Boden Chambers, Austyn Kinch, Suttyn Weinbrenner

We are so incredibly grateful for a recent donation from the Platteville Elks Lodge #1460! This generous gift of $700 will help our Pointers who are food insecure on weekends and during school breaks. Thank you for thinking of us with your grant.

Coffee and ice cream for good! A sincere thank you to Wild Blue Yonder Coffeehouse and Sweet Life Ice Cream Parlor for giving money from tips/donations to help pay off lunch balances for students in need.

Chicka chicka BOOM BOOM, look who’s in our room! Kindergarten read “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” and made their very own name coconut tree!

Liam and Luis had a fantastic morning picking apples and sunflowers! Thank you to Jen and Evan Chambers for the hospitality!

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round..all through the town!

Our Mineral Point FFA Chapter judging teams got their school year off to a solid start at River Ridge last week!

Livestock Judging: 37 Teams and 140 individuals

-- Mineral Point Team 2, which consisted of Annie Robinson, Ellie Robinson, and Payton Heins, was 3rd overall.

-- Mineral Point Team 1, which consisted of Johnny Robinson, Faye Schuette, and Riley Sennhenn, was 4th overall.

-- Individually, Payton Heins was 5th, Faye Schuette 7th, Ellie Robinson 18th, Johnny Robinson 24th, Annie Robinson 36th, and Riley Sennhenn 38th.

Dairy Judging: 27 Teams and 103 individuals

-- Mineral Point Team 2, which consisted of Leah Hoffman, Haylee Yager, and Cyntanah Nafzger, was 1st overall.

-- Mineral Point Team 1, which consisted of Madelyn Steffes, Izzy Dannenberg, and Emily Heisner, was 13th overall.

-- Individually, Leah Hoffman was 2nd, Izzy Dannenberg 3rd, Haylee Yager 5th, Cyntanah Nafzger 24th, Emily Heisner 47th, and Madelyn Steffes 82nd.

Congratulations to all!

Save Fred! 5th graders were tasked with working together to save Fred the worm. Students had paperclips to move Fred from the top of the cup to inside the cup. They did awesome with teamwork and communication!

Flashlight Friday is always a wonderful way to end the week!

The Mineral Point Unified School District is known for its successful robust academic and co-curricular programs, the incredible opportunities we offer to students throughout their time in our schools, and talented staff members.

In collaboration with a supportive community, the Mineral Point Unified School District has a proud tradition of providing high-quality levels of education for all students.

Unfortunately, state funding has not kept pace with increasing inflation. Six of the last 10 years, schools received $0 increase in aid. In order to stabilize funding to help ensure a promising future for all students, the District is asking local voters for an operating levy increase that will help maintain high levels of programming.

Without a referendum, our operational budget will not be able to maintain our current programs and services.

District officials made it a priority to keep the public informed about the needs prompting an operating referendum. Please read more about the upcoming November 5 referendum at this website: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024-referendum/

The Mineral Point Unified School District will host a Referendum Informational Meeting for the community Wednesday, September 18 beginning at 6 pm in the Middle/High School Cafeteria, located at 705 Ross Street. Join Superintendent Mitch Wainwright to learn more about school funding and what the November 5 Operational Referendum means to the school district. Any questions, please contact him at 608-987-0740 or mitch.wainwright@mp.k12.wi.us

The District wants you to have the information you need to make an informed vote in November. Thank you for your engagement.

Students will have school photos taken Thursday, September 19 during the school day.

Please note, there is no obligation to purchase photos, but all students will have a photo taken for school identification purposes. Please read more important information in the flyer above or at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OF8ZRwhvhMrcqZqHuz09bEvxswlgm7Yi/view?usp=sharing

Empire Photography will be in touch with ordering instructions via email after picture day. Please watch your spam folder, in case the message lands there.

If you have any questions, please contact customerservice@empirephotos.com

If your student(s) will not be at school Thursday 9/19, or if you don't like the photos taken, retake day will be Thursday, October 17.

Thank you.

Wake Up Mineral Point is back! Last Monday, our Pointer Media students began their morning video announcements for the school year. Make sure to check them out at mppointers.com or https://www.youtube.com/@wakeupmineralpoint for school event info, sports scores, and more.

Our 5th graders are selling Bucky Books to fundraise for their spring teambuilding field trip!

Bucky Book coupons are valid up to October next year and make great holiday gifts with something for everyone, up to 50% off at 300 businesses.

At the end of the school year, 5th graders go to Four Mounds in Dubuque for their ropes courses and is a great way to work on teambuilding and camaraderie.

If you are interesting in ordering, the cost is $35 per book. Please reach out to any 5th grade teacher by October 10:

- Laurie Heimsoth at laurie.heimsoth@mp.k12.wi.us

- Chloe Muhlstein at chloe.muhlstein@mp.k12.wi.us

- Jessie Sigg at jessie.sigg@mp.k12.wi.us

Thank you for your support!

Come support our students traveling to Cornwall this spring and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast sponsored by the Odd Fellows Saturday, September 28 from 7:30-10 am at their lodge on Front Street. Our students will be helping to serve!

Having a class reunion this summer or fall? Send joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us your photos to share with #PointerNation!

Mark your calendar for Homecoming 2024! The football game is set for the evening of Friday, October 11 vs. Benton/Scales Mound/Shullsburg. Please join us for the entire week's festivities celebrating our Pointer pride!

In this week's Throwback Thursday, we can't hide our Pointer Pride!

#PointerNation events coming up this week -- join us! (Please note these schedules are always subject to change)

Monday, September 16
-- Volleyball at Darlington (JV & Freshmen 5:30 pm, Varsity to follow). Possible livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/@DarlingtonRedbirds or https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wi/darlington/organization/13693/darlington-high-school
-- JV Football vs. Cuba City 5 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

Tuesday, September 17
-- Volleyball at Fennimore (JV & Freshmen 5:30 pm, Varsity to follow). Possible livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/@FennimoreSchools or https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wi/fennimore/organization/15382/fennimore-high-school
-- Boys Soccer at River Valley (Varsity 5 pm, JV to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@rivervalleyschooldistrict-249
Digital tickets: https://gofan.co/event/1626555?schoolId=WI19218
-- MS Volleyball vs. Dodgeville 4 pm

Wednesday, September 18
-- Early Release 2 pm (every Wednesday)
-- Operational Referendum Community Information Meeting 6 pm in MS/HS Cafeteria
-- Senior Information Night 6 pm in MS/HS Library
-- Cornwall Student Exchange Meeting 6:30 pm in MS/HS Board Room

Thursday, September 19
-- School Picture Day
-- Boys Soccer vs. Platteville/Lancaster (Varsity 5 pm, JV to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@DodgevilleSchoolDistrict
-- Volleyball at Riverdale (JV & Freshmen 5:30 pm, Varsity to follow). Possible livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/@riverdaleschooldistrict1580 or https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wi/muscoda/organization/39573/riverdale-high-school
-- Cross Country at Boscobel 8:10 pm
-- MS Volleyball at Lancaster 4 pm
-- MS Cross Country at Boscobel 7:30 pm

Friday, September 20
-- Varsity Football vs. Belleville 7 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

Saturday, September 21
-- Varsity Volleyball at La Crosse Aquinas 8:30 am

Please be aware of other companies claiming to livestream our games, especially if there are links different than posted above and ask for credit card and personal information -- these are scams. We will update this pinned post as available livestream information is relayed to us.

"Grounded by our history as one of the oldest publicly supported schools in Wisconsin, Mineral Point Unified School District is the heart of a small community that educates and inspires our students for a bright future in a big world."

Email: joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us
Website: mineralpointschools.org
Location: 705 Ross Street, Mineral Point, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 987-0740
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MineralPointSchoolDistrict