#PointerNation News

We are pleased to announce the Mineral Point Unified School District has again earned an "Exceeds Expectations" rating on the 2023-24 state report card.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's annual state report cards were released Tuesday, and you can find detailed information here: https://mineralpointschools.org/state-report-card/

Kudos to our students and staff for their hard work and dedication! As always, we are incredibly thankful for supportive families and community who help us maintain a high level of excellence.

We are #PointerNation proud and hope you are, too.

Kudos to our high school scholars for earning academic accolades during the first quarter! #PointerNation is proud of you! Read more: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/11/mphs-1st-quarter-honor-roll-9/

Kudos to our middle school scholars for earning academic accolades during the first quarter! #PointerNation is proud of you! Read more: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/11/mpms-1st-quarter-honor-roll-9/

Congratulations to all the cast and crew of the high school musical "Big Fish" this past weekend at the Mineral Point Opera House! Your hard work, talent, and dedication was amazing to witness on stage. Check out more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1088687383233143

Annie and Ellie Robinson have smashed many records along the way, winning nearly every accolade in the book, and are now officially committed to run Cross Country and Track & Field at South Dakota State University!

The #PointerNation Seniors, part of the Dodge-Point running program, signed their National Letters of Intent to run at the NCAA Division 1 level Thursday morning in front of our middle and high school student body, staff, coaches, family, friends, and teammates.

Best wishes to the Robinsons as they continue to pursue their academic and athletic dreams. Your family, coaches, friends, mentors, school, and communities are very proud of all that you have and will accomplish!

Pointer Pride was on display at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY this past week!

Three of our Pointers were members of the Grant County teams and represented Wisconsin very well! Congrats to:

-- Reserve National Champion 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl - Michael Edgington and Cameron Patterson

-- Reserve National Champion 4-H Livestock Skillathon - Aiden Patterson

Great job, everyone!

Please join us in congratulating our School Social Worker, Dani Robb, on being named an Outstanding Educator by WEAC and WEA Member Benefits!

Dani was honored on the court during the Wisconsin Badgers home volleyball game Wednesday night. Dani has built a career rooted in compassion and commitment and we are lucky to have her in #PointerNation! Read more: https://www.weabenefits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Outstanding-Educator_Bio-Dani-Robb.pdf

Congratulations to #PointerNation for earning three more Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) Spectrum Awards at the annual Fall Conference November 14 in Wisconsin Dells!

Awards of Excellence

-- Raised Here, Stayed Here: Staff Appreciation (Social Media Campaign)

-- State Boys Basketball Champs (Social Media Campaign)

Award of Merit

-- Students of the Month (Special Purpose Publication/Project), a joint effort with Mineral Point Kiwanis.

Additionally, as WSPRA Immediate Past President, Mineral Point Communications Director Joëlle Doye was able to present her Past President’s Award and is pictured honoring Superintendent Mitch Wainwright and District Administrative Assistant Angie Schubert.

“I’m firm in my belief that there may not be a single more important factor in success as a school communicator than the relationship you have with those in your district office, and I’m also aware that not every school communicator is as fortunate as I have been,” said Joëlle. “Any success I’ve had is a direct reflection of the support they have given me and the belief they have had in me, even when I didn’t necessarily believe in myself.”

Also, Joëlle was honored by WSPRA for 10 years of service to the School PR profession at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.

More info: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/11/district-earns-wspra-communication-awards/

Last week, we took another step on our journey of Sources of Strength! Three sessions were held to train community adults, middle schoolers, and high school students!

Sources of Strength is a best practice youth mental health promotion and suicide prevention program designed to harness the power of peer social networks to create healthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent adverse outcomes by increasing wellbeing, help-seeking, resiliency, healthy coping, and belonging. Sources of Strength moves beyond a singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support, or protective factors, for young people so that when times get hard, they have strengths to rely on.

In honor of Veterans Day, 1st Graders learned the importance of the poppy by reading "A Poppy Is to Remember" by Heather Patterson. During World War I, the poppy became the symbol for honoring those who fought for freedom.

3rd Graders in Mrs. Martin's class had Veterans Day come alive as they received a visit from Mandie Eagan, Estie's mom, who served in the US Air Force. Thank you for your service and thanks for stopping by!

Thank you to the IUOE Local 139 Training Center in Coloma for welcoming our students this past week at Externship Day! The event was designed to give students a chance to try out equipment and gain first-hand experience in a career as an Operating Engineer. Students also learned about pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.

Science in real life! Mrs. Gomanne's Integrated Science class went to The Book Kitchen downtown to help make sourdough bread.

Let's give a big #PointerNation welcome to Judy Boll, new Elementary School Food Service employee! We're glad to have you here!

Kudos to our #PointerNation Volleyball team members who earned All-Area honors from The Dodgeville Chronicle!

-- First Team: Maddy Kabat, Laci Lindsey, Ava Ingwell, and Eliza Ingwell

-- Honorable Mention: Ella Kroll and Brynn Swenson

-- Quad Players of the Year: Maddy Kabat and Laci Lindsey

-- Coach of the Year: Kari Kabat

At a recent School Board meeting, the Board recognized three businesses as part of this year's Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB)'s Business Honor Roll. Thanks for your support of #PointerNation!

-- AB Electric has provided several services to the school district, and many times it comes at a reduced cost. They also actively participate in the Youth Apprenticeship Program by taking on Mineral Point students, providing them with hands-on learning opportunities within the trades. They have also helped set up the outdoor scoreboard and our walk-in cooler. Additionally, they provide sponsorship advertising monies for our Pointer programs.

-- Barnscrapers Painting has provided supplies and equipment to the district at bargain prices. They also employ multiple students in the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Additionally, the company has helped us create an outdoor learning space in years past by loaning us a large tent.

-- Dodge-Point Country Club is the home of our newly crowned State Champion Mineral Point Golf Team. Our Head Golf Coach, Cory Sokol, is a Mineral Point graduate and the owner of the Club. He is generous and lets our student-athlete golfers use the course at zero cost to the district. The Club also hosts many of our staff celebrations. Cory is also a former Pointer Wrestling Assistant Coach and the Club is home to many of the team’s celebrations as well. Additionally, they provide sponsorship advertising monies for our Pointer programs and employ several students.

Mrs. McGuire's Kindergarten students will be spotlighting Berget Jewelers in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Mrs. Heimsoth's 5th Grade students will be spotlighting Farmers Savings Bank in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Ms. Muhlstein's 5th Grade students will be spotlighting Healthy Hound in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Mrs. Ross' 4th Grade students will be spotlighting Hotel Mineral Point in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Mrs. Wiegel's 1st Grade students will be spotlighting Ivey Construction Inc in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Mrs. Niehaus' 2nd Grade students will be spotlighting Mound City Bank in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed a recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Ms. Miess' 3rd Grade students will be spotlighting The Station in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Thank you to our #PointerNation Seniors who have been involved with the musical for their years of amazing performances! Their talents have graced our stage, and behind the scenes, and they will be missed.

Fans of #PointerNation! The Mineral Point Unified School District is pleased to announce we will again be offering GoFan for mobile ticketing for home athletic events this winter sports season.

Fans can purchase digital tickets online through our school’s GoFan page, the GoFan App, or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the game. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay. There is a service charge added to the purchase of each digital ticket which helps offset the cost to the district for this platform: https://gofan.co/app/school/WI13618

TICKETS WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR CASH PURCHASE AT THE GATE, and previously purchased student/senior passes will still be accepted.

Please also remember to still bring cash if you are interested in purchasing concessions and 50/50 raffle tickets at the games.

Home games will continue to be livestreamed at no charge on MPTV: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

If you have any questions, please reach out to Athletic Director Chris Carr at chris.carr@mp.k12.wi.us

A reminder no classes will be held in #PointerNation Wednesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 1 due to Thanksgiving Break. Enjoy the time off!

Mark your calendar to join the Dodge-Point Running Club (Cross Country & Track Boosters) Turkey Trot Run/Walk Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, November 28) at Midway Lanes! The event starts at 9 am -- free will donation to enter.

We'd love for you to join our sub pool! CESA 3 in Fennimore is having a substitute training session December 3. Please register at the link below and contact Angie Schubert to learn more about subbing in MP at angie.schubert@mp.k12.wi.us.

A two-year associates or four-year bachelors degree in any area is necessary for you to participate in this training: https://cesa3.eventsmart.com/events/substitute-teacher-training-2/?datetime=331

The Mineral Point Excellence in Education Endowment Fund is again hosting a drive to help us fill our Care Cupboard! There is a need for these items in our schools:

-- Personal Hygiene products such as: deodorant, laundry detergent pods, tampons/pads.

-- Individually packed non-perishable snack items such as: granola bars, applesauce pouches, crackers (plain, cheesy, and peanut butter sandwiches), fruit snacks, trail mix.

-- Monetary donations

-- Items from the Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1779SXQ5SQ2JP/

Items may be dropped off at:

-- Middle/High Winter Concert in the high school gym Monday, December 9 at 7 pm

-- Elementary Winter Concert in the high school gym Wednesday, December 18 at 12:30 pm

-- Any school office

Thank you for your generosity!

Join the middle/high school choirs and bands for their Winter Concert Monday, December 9 at 7 pm in the middle/high school gym for some outstanding sounds of the season!

Elementary (grades K-5) students are getting excited to share their musical talents with you at their Winter Concert Wednesday, December 18 in the high school gym beginning at 12:30 pm!

Please contact School Nurse Jayne Lindsey (jayne.lindsey@mp.k12.wi.us) with questions.

No-cost well water testing is available now for individuals with a financial or other burden if the well serves: a pregnant person, or a child (under the age of 12), or a person with a weakened immune system. Free radon test kits are available for Iowa County residents at the Health Department (303 West Chapel Street, Dodgeville). Higher than recommended levels of radon are found often in our area. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. You can't see, smell or taste radon. The only way to know if your home has high radon is to test. For data per area in Iowa County, check out the interactive map: https://wi-dhs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=68f3a3e068854810b626d002ce47aff4

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

Tuesday, November 26

-- JV & Varsity Boys Basketball scrimmage at Prairie du Chien 5:45 pm

-- MS Boys Basketball vs. Darlington 4 pm

Wednesday, November 27

-- No Classes: Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, November 28

-- No Classes: Thanksgiving Break

Friday, November 29

-- No Classes: Thanksgiving Break

Saturday, November 30

-- Girls Basketball (JV 12:15 pm vs. Oregon, Varsity to follow vs. Dodgeville). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

Digital tickets (cash still accepted at door): https://gofan.co/app/school/WI13618

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