#PointerNation News

SECTIONAL CHAMPS AND STATE BOUND!

Here we come, Madtown! Our #PointerNation Boys Basketball team was victorious over Marshall 80-44 in Saturday evening's WIAA Sectional Final at Verona to again earn a berth in the State Tournament!

Mineral Point will play Thursday, March 20 at the Kohl Center in Madison in the State Semifinal at approximately 8:15 pm vs. La Crosse Aquinas. A win gets us into Saturday's Championship game at approximately 12:45 pm vs. the winner of Bonduel vs. Racine Prairie School.

This will be Mineral Point's sixth State Boys Basketball appearance (1934, 1935, 1974, 2015, 2024, 2025). The Pointer Boys will be in search of their second straight gold ball. Go Big Blue!

Check out photos from Saturday's game: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1180790170689530

We are very pleased to announce the Wisconsin Section of the Mathematical Association of America has selected #PointerNation's own Mrs. Cindi Nothem to receive its 2025 Outstanding Teacher of Mathematics Award.

This award honors her record of excellent mathematics education and the impact of her work beyond the classroom.

High School Principal Mr. Matt Austin stated, “Her ability to connect with students on a personal level fosters a positive learning atmosphere where students are motivated to take risks and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts. Her influence as a leader strengthens our school’s academic culture and enhances the professional growth of those around her.”

Mrs. Nothem will receive this honor Friday, April 4 at UW-Platteville. Please join us in congratulating her!

The Mineral Point Chapter of the Future Farmers of America held its 96th annual awards ceremony Tuesday, March 11 in the middle/high school cafetorium under the leadership of Advisor Mike Robinson.

Awards were presented as follows — congrats to all!: https://mineralpointschools.org/2025/03/ffa-celebrates-96-years-at-annual-banquet/

Check out photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1179989394102941

At March's School Board meeting Monday night, the Board officially accepted the retirement notice of Mr. Dan Van Galen (Middle School Science & Spanish Teacher) effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year. #PointerNation is grateful for your 28 years of service to our Mineral Point youngsters!

The Mineral Point, WI / Redruth, Cornwall Student Exchange group departed Wednesday! Make sure to follow their Facebook page for exciting adventures throughout their trip!

The Mineral Point Twinning Committee and Mineral Point Unified School District sent six Mineral Point High School students to Cornwall, United Kingdom on March 12th. They arrived in Heathrow and then traveled via train to Redruth, our Mineral Point Cornish twin city.

Nolen Fox, Emily Heisner, Eli Klein, Lilly Murn, Madelyn Steffes, and Ronica Thousand, along with trip leader, Mr. Matt Nevers and chaperone Mrs. Ashley Calderon-McHugh, are on the adventure. Students and chaperones alike are very excited to be able to travel across the pond, meet with our host families, and see all the wonderful sights.

On the trip, the travelers will visit West Cornwall, Redruth School, St. Ives, Lanhydrock House, Cornwall Gold Mining and Wheal Martyn Museums, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, St. Michael’s Mount, Gwennap Pit, Tolgus Trail Mines, Eden Project, Charlestown Harbour, Padstow and Mevagissey Fishing Villages, and Tintagel Castle. They will explore more of Cornwall with their host families, go shopping, and tour the beaches throughout the region. Activities they will participate in include making Cornish pasty, skittles (bowling), and watching the Rugby Match.

At the end of the trip, the group will stop to see Stonehenge and Windsor Castle along their way to London where they will have almost two days to attend the West End musical theatre performance of Back to the Future and see landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Tower of London, the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Paddington Station, and more.

Safe travels to our crew and thanks to Redruth School for welcoming them.

Members of our high school band and choir caught a performance of Madison Symphony Orchestra's Spring Young People’s Concert recently and even stopped by Cave of the Mounds!

4th Grade is a year where students take a deep dive into Wisconsin's history! Our Pointers enjoyed a visit to our State Capitol. Students got to tour and step into many rooms of the Capitol, including the Assembly Chamber, the Senate room, and a public hearing room.

They also enjoyed a visit to the temporary home of the Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, learning about Wisconsin’s history by exploring and reading about artifacts from the past!

Turner Rolli's cousin, Grace Engels, came to teach 1st Graders about New Zealand! She studied abroad there and shared cool pictures and interesting facts. Thanks, Grace!

Our 8th Graders learned all about the judicial system in their reading class! As a culminating activity, they went to the Iowa County Courthouse and watched our high school Mock Trial group perform. Some of the 8th Graders students were also able to be the jury and deliberate on the case they listened to!

Let's hear it for our nine #PointerNation Boys Basketball players who earned Academic All-State Honors from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association!

Congrats to: Grady Finley, Eli Lindsey, Jacob Phillips, Atley Potterton, Cole Ripp, Carson Schroeder, Hudson Schroeder, Thorin Vamstad, and Jaxson Wendhausen.

Read more: https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1333829

Let's hear it for our 13 #PointerNation Girls Basketball players who earned Academic All-State Honors from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association!

Congrats to: Payton Christopher, Izzy Dannenberg, Liz Hoffman, Lilly Houtakker, Ava Ingwell, Eliza Ingwell, Ella Kroll, Laci Lindsey, Sadie Miller, Sophie Miller, Ellie Robinson, Jadyn Schultz, and Bree Swenson.

Read more: https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1333831

The beach scene is a blast in EC and 4K! Students have been learning all about various sea creatures including sharks, turtles, crabs, squids, and jellyfish!

After his career-high 42 point performance in the WIAA Sectional Final Saturday to lift the Pointers back to State, Jaxson Wendhausen is up for Sports Illustrated NATIONAL Boys Athlete of the Week and is the only Wisconsin athlete on the list!
You know what to do, #PointerNation -- vote! Link: https://www.si.com/high-school/national/vote-who-should-be-high-school-on-si-national-boys-athlete-of-the-week-3-17-2025-01jpgva6z2s0

We have two #PointerNation Wrestlers up for WIwrestle's Division 3 Wrestler of the Year! Cast your first round vote by March 18 for Roen Carey or Kade Rule: https://wiwrestle.com/wrestler-of-the-year-voting-3/

Celebrate this historic season! Order your State Champs Wrestling shirts by March 27 at 11:59 pm. Link: https://wccbrands.chipply.com/mpwrestlingstatechamps/

Article and video from Monday's School Board meeting is now available: https://mineralpointschools.org/2025/03/march-school-board-notes-votes-2/

The Mineral Point Unified School District is hiring for the 2025-26 school year. Come join the great place that is #PointerNation where our mission is educating and inspiring our students for a bright future in a big world!

7th/8th Grade Science Teacher: https://wecan.waspa.org/Vacancy/230117

See why blue would look good on you: https://youtu.be/SrT50dA9M_w?si=oEUuJiWmzXWCWP2K

Hello Pointer Boys Basketball Fans,

Mineral Point will play La Crosse Aquinas in the Division 4 Boys Basketball State Semifinal at approximately 8:15 pm Thursday night (March 20) at the Kohl Center in Madison. Bonduel will face off against Racine Prairie School in the other State Semifinal at 6:35 pm. Your ticket will be good for both Division 4 State Semifinal games, so feel free to arrive early to watch the first contest.

Pep Band members should not purchase tickets -- these will be arranged.

Please note: any unsold tickets in these reserved MP sections will be open to the general public 12 hours before the start of our Semifinal game so make sure to purchase your tickets as soon as possible!

See the link below and enter in the appropriate code provided -- we are in the northwest corner of the Kohl Center for the Semifinal (see attached PDF for seat map): https://drive.google.com/.../19F4eUuL4HBmjrObZLNa.../view...

Children two and under do not require a ticket.

State Semifinal Game: https://www.expressoticketing.com/wiaa/schoolcode.aspx

MP FAN CODE: ADULTD4T2

STUDENT SECTION CODE (for 6th-12th graders): D4T2STUD

(Please check with your student to see if they’ve already purchased a ticket)

Adult tickets are reserved seats. Student tickets are general admission and student section seating is first come, first served. High school students will have priority up front, and whichever high school students show up first will get closer seats in the student section.

Tickets for Championship Saturday (March 22): Ticketing process will be the same if MP advances. Will we send out a new code for you to purchase tickets for Saturday's game. Any unsold MP seats will be open to the general public 4 hours before game time. Game time Saturday would be approximately 15 minutes following the conclusion of the Division 5 Championship game, which starts at 11:05 am.

Any questions, please contact Athletic Director Mr. Chris Carr at chris.carr@mp.k12.wi.us

Go Pointers!

Please visit during Family Conferences on March 19 from 2:30 pm until 7:00 pm. All profits will be used to support literacy in our school. Online link: https://literati.com/store/?school=mineral-point-elem-school-mineral-point-us_wi

Any questions, please reach out to Micki Uppena at micki.uppena@mp.k12.wi.us

Elementary School Family/Teacher Conferences will be held Wednesday, March 19 from 2:15-7:15 pm. Families will be receiving more info on how to sign up for a time. If you have any questions, please reach out to your building administrative assistant or your child(ren)'s teachers. This is a fantastic opportunity to discuss your child's progress.

Join our 5th graders Thursday, March 20 at 1:45 pm at the Mineral Point Opera House for their annual Film Festival! Students are creating short films in their music and technology classes and are excited for this premiere!

A reminder -- Spring Break will be held for Mineral Point Schools from Saturday, March 22 through Sunday, March 30. Classes will resume Monday, March 31. Enjoy the time off!

It's back! Our popular social media feature "Where in the World is #PointerNation?" is returning for Spring Break! Whether you're on vacation or staycation, send joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us your photos to be featured on our Facebook page.

WMTV 15 News in Madison is accepting applications for its annual Crystal Apple Awards now through March 31 -- please consider nominating a #PointerNation educator! We had seven wonderful teachers nominated last year.

More info: https://www.wmtv15news.com/crystal-apple-awards/

The next Mineral Point Early Childhood Development Screening will take place Wednesday, April 2! This screening is open to children who were born between the dates of April 1, 2022 and October 1, 2022.

This is a great opportunity for school staff to meet your child and answer any questions you may have about your child's development. This is the one time prior to your child starting 4K that we will ask you to attend a screening. Your child is guaranteed to have fun and will go home with a bag full of goodies!

Please call 608-987-0739 ext. 127 if you are interested in having your child participate. We look forward to welcoming our newest Pointers!

Do you have a green thumb or just want to help our students get their hands dirty in the School Garden? There will be a meeting Thursday, April 3 at 3:30 pm at the Elementary School in Room 131. Contact Jessica Soots at jessica.soots@mp.k12.wi.us with questions.

Mineral Point Elementary Yearbooks are available to order until April 8! Scan the QR Code or visit this link: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/mineralpointelementary

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

Monday, March 17

-- Elementary Book Fair begins

Tuesday, March 18

-- Track & Field at UW-Platteville 5:30 pm

-- District Forensics at Barneveld 4 pm

Wednesday, March 19

-- Early Release 2 pm (every Wednesday)

-- Elementary Family Conferences 2:15-7:15 pm

-- FFA Sectional Speaking Contest at Fennimore

Thursday, March 20

-- WIAA State Semifinal Boys Basketball vs. La Crosse Aquinas at Kohl Center (Madison) 8:15 pm

TV: WKOW

Radio: 93.7 fm and 97.7 fm

Livestream: https://www.wkow.com/livestream/wkow-livestream2/watch-here-wiaa-state-boys-basketball-tournament-march-20-22/article_d9289240-fdeb-11ef-8ffd-fb12d3ba0593.html

-- 5th Grade Film Festival at Opera House 1:45 pm

-- FFA Regional Career Development Event Contest at UW-Platteville 9 am

-- Track & Field at UW-Platteville 5:30 pm

Friday, March 21

-- Last day of classes before Spring Break (classes resume Monday, March 31)

Saturday, March 22

-- WIAA State Final Boys Basketball TBA at Kohl Center (Madison) approx. 12:45 pm

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