Wednesday was the best day! Thanks to farmer Ed and farmer Kathy at Bures Berry Patch for letting our Kindergarten crew join them at their beautiful farm. Students learned, worked, and had so much fun! As one Kindergarten student said, “Today was the best day of my life!”

Josie Dunn will be performing this week as part of the prestigious Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) State Honors Project as a member of the High School Band! Her selection identifies her as one of Wisconsin’s finest youth musicians.

-- High school concerts are Thursday, October 24 at the Overture Center in Madison. Her band concert will begin at 4:30 pm. Ticket information: https://tickets.overture.org/wsma/band-orch

PBS will also air the concert on TV at a later date.

#PointerNation is proud of this talented student!

We have the need -- the need for speed! A big congrats to the Dodge-Point Boys Cross Country Team, and Ellie Robinson and Layne Aurit, for claiming SWC Conference Championships Thursday at Lancaster!

-- The Boys (2nd ranked in D2) won their 2nd straight conference title, finishing with 24 points ahead of 2nd place Richland Center/Ithaca with 63.

-- The Girls finished 2nd with 34 points behind 1st place Lancaster (2nd ranked in D2) with 30 points.

-- Individually, Ellie Robinson (4th year in a row) and Layne Aurit (3rd year in a row) were the champs as well!

Fantastic job, everyone! Full results here: http://www.accuracetiming.com/info

(Graphic uses team photo taken by ann gorgen photography, individual photos from Dodge-Point Running Club/DodgePoint Cross Country and Track and Field)

Last Tuesday during a 3-0 win over Darlington, Eliza Ingwell hit the 1,500 assist mark in her fantastic volleyball career. Congrats, Eliza! #PointerNation is proud!

(Graphic uses a photo taken by Tori Carey)

Check out the latest column "The Best Education for Every Child" by Superintendent Mitch Wainwright here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/10/the-best-education-for-every-child/

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. Another Community Information Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 23 at 6 pm in the middle/high school cafeteria.

Please read more about the upcoming November 5 referendum at this website: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024-referendum/

Please continue to check the website regularly as additional answers to questions are posted.

Any questions, please contact Superintendent Mitch Wainwright 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.

School funding can be a complicated and confusing topic. This short video can help explain the growing challenge of supporting our students with state funding that isn't keeping up with inflation (the District has received $0 in additional state aid six of the last ten years). Click on the image above to play or watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2bueJvq_Q

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Science Night last week, including our community partners -- a fun time was had by all! Special thanks to: Upland Hills Health, UW-Platteville College of EMS Student Success Programs, Mineral Point Public Library, MP Schools Sources of Strength, Cummins, Driftless Area Land Conservancy, Maia Donahue, MP Elementary School Garden Committee, MPHS Earth Wise Club, and MP School Staff. We couldn't have done it without you!

1st Graders passed their second level in Explorer Academy on their way to become world explorers! Last week they learned about cardinal directions and even got their own compasses, and then practiced using them outside in the oak savanna.

The EC/4K pumpkin patch is open for business! Students have loved learning by playing.

3rd Graders and their Kindergarten buddies were able to meet up for the first time recently! They were able to spend time getting to know each other and completed a fun project to help the Kindergarteners master spelling their names.

Let's give a big #PointerNation welcome (home) to Harlie Voseberg, new Elementary Food Service employee! We're glad to have you here!

The Green Bay Packers Tundra Tales Reading Program started this week at the elementary! The program will run from October 14-November 17. Students will need to record 60 minutes of reading outside of school each week. Each classroom with 75% participation will get $100 to purchase literacy materials. Each participant will receive two tickets to the Packers Hall of Fame!

1st Graders had their third Explorer Academy lesson, which was about maps and globes. They have one more lesson before earning their passports and traveling the world!

Article and video from Monday's regular October School Board meeting has been posted: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/10/october-school-board-notes-votes-2/

Thank you to our Marching Band Seniors for four years of amazing performances! They will be performing their tunes one final time Monday at the High School Fall Concert beginning at 7 pm in the middle/high school gym, so stop by and support these talented students, as well as our fantastic choir members!

Kudos to the #PointerNation Volleyball Team for earning the #1 seed and a first round bye in their WIAA Division 4 Postseason bracket! Mineral Point will host the winner of #8 Wisconsin Heights/#9 Iowa-Grant Thursday, October 24 in the Regional Semifinal. Check out the full bracket here: https://halftime.wiaawi.org/CustomApps/Tournaments/Brackets/HTML/2024_Volleyball_Girls_Div4_Sec3_4.html

The WIAA Football postseason pairings have been announced! Kudos to #PointerNation for earning a WIAA Playoff berth for the 11th straight year! The #6 Pointers will travel to #3 Cuba City Friday, October 25 for Level 1 Division 6 action.

Cross Country is off and running to the WIAA Postseason this week! Check out more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1059922846109597

(Photos by Dodge-Point Running Club and DodgePoint Cross Country and Track and Field)

With cold weather approaching, please remember that if your family needs help with winter clothing, we have many community partners that have generously provided donations to the district. Regardless of the grades of your children, please reach out to Jane Barr at jane.barr@mp.k12.wi.us or 608-987-0710 if you need help obtaining the necessary items to stay warm. We will be sure to get your child what they need.

Make plans to join us Monday, October 21 for the High School Fall Concert in the gym at 7 pm! Students are excited to perform for you.

Join us Wednesday, October 23 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 located at 705 Ross Street. Content will be very similar to the September 18 community meeting.

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.

Join us for the annual Mineral Point Kiwanis /MPHS Key Club/MP Historical Society annual Halloween Costume Party/Contest at Orchard Lawn Saturday, October 26 at 10 am sharp! Again this year will be lots of fun games put together by our High School Key Club (suggested donation per child to play the games). All ages are welcome to participate in the free costume contest. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. Come join the fun!

Test your knowledge at the 6th Annual Trivia Night (hosted by Mineral Point Boys & Girls Basketball) Sunday, October 27 in the MPHS Gym from 6-8 pm!

Cost is $10 per person with tables consisting of 4 to 8 people. Pre-registration is preferred (pay at door) -- email dan.burreson@mp.k12.wi.us or mpgirlsboosterclub@gmail.com to sign up.

There will also be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, bucket raffles, heads or tails, sit down bingo, and concessions. Join the fun!

The next Mineral Point Early Childhood Development Screening will take place Wednesday, October 30! This screening is open to children who were born between the dates of December 1, 2021 and March 31, 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!

It’s that time of year again–please consider nominating Mineral Point educators for the following Herb Kohl Awards. They are some of the most prestigious honors that can be earned in the state. #PointerNation has had at least one winner seven of the last eight years, which is incredible — it all starts with a nomination!

The deadline for nomination is Tuesday, November 12 for teacher awards. Read more: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/09/kohl-nominations-sought-7/

Today's Throwback Thursday #TBT takes us back to just last week and all the wonderful memories made during Homecoming! In case you missed it, check out over 300 photos in the album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?set=a.1055548436547038&type=3

Alumni Alert! Check out this great piece from News 3 Now / Channel 3000 on the White Family Farm! A big thanks to all our local farmers for all you do.

The #PointerNation Class of 1964 is proving age is just a number, gathering celebrating 60 years! (Send your class reunion photos to joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us)

The #PointerNation Class of 1989 gathered to celebrate 35 years and take a trip down memory lane! (Send your class reunion photos to joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us)

The #PointerNation Class of 2004 gathered to celebrate 20 years, which included a guest appearance by Mr. Burreson as host of his world-famous Jeopardy competition!

It's National School Bus Safety Week! We have outstanding members of our First Student transportation team dedicated to the safety of all of our Pointers! Take some time to #ThankABusDriver!

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

Monday, October 21

-- HS Fall Concert 7 pm in gym

-- JV Football vs. Fennimore 5 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

Tuesday, October 22

-- FFA departs for National competition in Indianapolis, IN

-- WIAA Regional Quarterfinal Boys Soccer at Cambridge/Deerfield 7 pm. (Game is in Cambridge)

Wednesday, October 23

-- Early Release 2 pm (every Wednesday)

-- Operational Referendum Community Information Meeting 6 pm in middle/high cafeteria

Thursday, October 24

-- WSMA State Honors Band concert at Overture Center (Madison) 4:30 pm

-- WIAA Regional Semifinal Volleyball vs. Wisconsin Heights 7 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

-- WIAA Regional Semifinal Boys Soccer at Wisconsin Dells 4 pm

Friday, October 25

-- WIAA Sectional Boys Cross Country at Deerfield/Cambridge 4:45 pm

-- WIAA Level 1 Playoff Football at Cuba City 7 pm. Radio: 106.1 fm. Livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/@queenbradiosports and https://www.youtube.com/@ccsdstreaming2119

Saturday, October 26

-- Halloween Costume Contest (hosted by MPHS Key Club) at Orchard Lawn 10 am

-- WIAA Sectional Girls Cross Country at Verona 11 am. Digital tickets: https://gofan.co/event/1975096?schoolId=WI13632

-- WIAA Regional Final Volleyball vs. Cashton 7 pm. Radio: 107.1 fm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

Sunday, October 27

-- Trivia Night (hosted by Boys & Girls Basketball) at MPHS 6 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.

Est. 1829

"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