#PointerNation News

All hail the Queen and King! A big congratulations to Izzy Dannenberg and Roen Carey who were crowned as royalty at Thursday's Mineral Point Homecoming Spirit Rally! Fine ambassadors for #PointerNation!

Friday, elementary school students received a visit from the Mineral Point Fire Department to learn fire prevention techniques and what to do if faced with a fire. Thank you to our volunteer firefighters for taking their time to teach our children about the importance of fire safety and for all you do to keep our community safe!

Alumni Alert! A sincere congratulations to our retired #PointerNation Middle School Principal and Middle/High School Athletic and Activities Director Vickie Dahl for being honored at University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Homecoming as a Distinguished Alumni Award winner!

Vickie graduated from UWP in 1983 with a degree in physical education. She earned a master's degree in educational administration from Edgewood College before launching a 39 year career in education that included teaching physical education and health in grades K-12. She retired in 2023 as Principal of MPMS and Athletic and Activities Director for MPMS and MPHS. She currently serves as a mentor for new principals and athletic directors. Dahl also coached throughout much of her career, including 17 years as the varsity volleyball coach at MPHS. She is actively engaged in our community and volunteerism, including doing lawn care and snow removal for senior citizens.

Thank you, Ms. Dahl, for your generational impact on countless Pointers and congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

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

The Homecoming Parade is always one of the best events of the year! Thanks to everyone for showing their Pointer Pride! Check out more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1055548436547038

When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween!

Thank you to everyone who supported our Mineral Point FFA Chapter donation auction this past Sunday at the Fairgrounds! Special shout out to Sammy Springer for his outstanding auctioneering skills once again!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Community Spirit Rally Thursday night! #PointerNation is a special place to be! Check out more photos here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1055548436547038

Early Childhood peeled, chopped, and sprinkled cinnamon and sugar on apples to make a crescent roll dessert. They all loved them!

Our foreign exchange student from Spain, Aitana Argueso-Villar, visited Spanish 2 to work on culturally relevant greetings among teens! Students practiced pronunciation with our native speaker and then got to practice it with friends. It was a great way to wrap up class!

High School students enjoyed visiting the elementary for a Pep Rally Friday morning to share the importance of Homecoming traditions! Check out more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1055548436547038

Our awesome #PointerNation staff and their families were invited to a tailgate before the big Homecoming game Friday night! Thanks for all you do and a special shoutout to grill master Adam Heisner!

The Seniors came out on top in the battle for the Spirit Stick this year! Congrats to Hallie Brant and Jacob Phillips who were named Spirit Queen and King for showing the most school pride all week. Check out more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1055548436547038

Young thespians! Last Friday, Rasell Holt and Samantha Newcomb from American Players Theatre worked with English 7 and 8 students in a StoryPoint Theatre workshop on Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." Thanks for visiting!

The Court was introduced one final time at the dance Grand March Saturday evening. Left to right, front row: Queen Candidate Ella Kroll, King Candidate Eli Lindsey, Queen Izzy Dannenberg, King Roen Carey, Queen Candidate Laci Lindsey, and King Candidate Matthew Goninen. Second row: Freshman Representative Cambrey Carey, Sophomore Representative Bree Swenson, Junior Representative Maddie Nodolf, Senior Representative Annie Robinson, Senior Representative Eliza Ingwell, Junior Representative Addie Burris, Sophomore Representative Ava Ingwell, Freshman Representative Tenleigh Bockhop. Back row: Senior Boys: Nolen Fox, Gavin Houtakker, Cole Hentrich, Jacob Phillips, Ethan Hook, Brody Miller, Alan James, Tucker Dannenberg, Colton Dochnahl, Matthew Aurit, and Reid Acherman. Check out more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1055548436547038

We had some squirmy class pets in 1st grade… worms! Everyone was eager to dig in and check them out! We had many questions about them and hope to answer them all. Stay tuned for our worm facts that will be displayed at Science Night on October 15 from 5-7 pm.

The girls took the field for Powder Puff Thursday afternoon for a competitive set of games!

Check out more photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=MineralPointSchoolDistrict&set=a.1055548436547038

Guess who's back, back again?! With Friday's big 43-16 Homecoming win vs. Benton/Scales Mound/Shullsburg, #PointerNation Football has secured a berth the WIAA Playoffs for the 11th straight year! Keep it rolling!

The WIAA Postseason Boys Soccer brackets have been released! Best wishes to our #17 seeded Dodge-Point team that will travel to #16 Cambridge-Deerfield for the Regional Quarterfinal Tuesday, October 22. Check out the full bracket here: https://halftime.wiaawi.org/CustomApps/Tournaments/Brackets/HTML/2024_Soccer_Boys_Div3_Sec3_4.html

We've made it to the Quarterfinals! Which high school football team in Southwest Wisconsin (or their predecessor schools) has (or had) the best mascot? Vote for your favorite high school football mascots during the Papa Murphy’s of Platteville & Prairie du Chien 2024 High School Football Mascot Challenge! The winning team will receive a pizza party courtesy of Papa Murphy’s of Platteville & Prairie du Chien!

-- Quarterfinal voting will take place October 9 – October 15. In this round, the Mineral Point Pointers are battling the Cassville Comets. You can vote here: https://www.wglr.com/win/mascot-challenge/

A rare event! #PointerNation will host a boys soccer game this Monday, October 14! We are excited to welcome our Dodge-Point team as Mauston comes to town. Venture out to Ron Murphy Field and join us for a 5 pm Varsity start (no JV game). If you can't make it, there will be a planned livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

We are excited to welcome everyone to our Mineral Point School District Science Night this Tuesday, October 15 from 5-7 pm at the middle/high school! Students in all grade levels have been working hard on projects and are excited to showcase their work!

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.

A reminder photo retake day is set for Thursday, October 17. Retakes are for all interested, or those who missed the first day. You should have received an email from Empire Photography with the link to order school pictures from September 19. If you did not receive one, please check all emails, as well as your spam folder. If you have any questions you can direct them to customerservice@empirephotos.com. Bring your smiles!

Make plans to attend our Middle School Music Pancake Breakfast Saturday, October 19! Enjoy good food and performances from our 6th and 7th/8th Grade Bands & Choirs! The performance schedule is as follows:

-- 6th Grade Band: 8:00-8:10 am

-- 7th/8th Grade Band: 8:15-8:25 am

-- 6th Grade Choir: 8:30-8:40 am

-- 7th/8th Grade Choir: 8:45-8:55 am

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 Homecoming 1952, as told in the yearbook! Zoom in to read interesting details of the week's events, including court members: Freshmen: Laura Mary Humbert and Josephine Palzkill, Sophomores: Jean Clark and Janice Jewell, Juniors: Louise Bellack and Marilyn Sturdevant, Seniors: Queen Betty Bloom and Nancy Tyrer. We made more wonderful Homecoming memories in 2024!

Special people are lucky to call themselves Pointer Alumni! An extra special group of those folks came together Homecoming Friday at lunch for the annual Fabulous 50s pasty luncheon at the UCC Church, a gathering for graduates of MPHS 50 or more years ago. Always a wonderful trip down memory lane!

The #PointerNation Class of 1974 gathered to celebrate 50 years at Dodge-Point Country Club Saturday night and had a fantastic time! (Send your class reunion photos to joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us)

The #PointerNation Class of 1979 gathered at Dodge-Point Country Club to celebrate 45 years and had a memorable time! (Send your class reunion photos to joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us)

Graphic uses a photo take by Addison Ryser Photography

Last week was Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week! Let’s give a big hand to those WIAA licensed officials who have, or yet will, officiate our home Mineral Point and Dodge-Point athletic contests this fall. We are grateful!

-- BOYS SOCCER: Gary Balgord, Mahmood Darvish, Taylor Fingerson, Stephany Marten, James Morrey, Scott Mueller, Si Shabtaie, Jake Steele, Mike Van Sicklen, Bennett West, Kip Wilson.

-- CROSS COUNTRY: Knight Wynn

-- FOOTBALL: Brian Bockhop, Geoffrey Bouc, Robert Boyle, Michael Cauffman, Travis Conklin, Rich Crow, Christopher Fitzsimons, Quinton Greer, Merrill Henrichs, Eric Hesselbacher, Doug Judd, Wayne Keenan, Mark Kelley, Terry King, Jeff Ladwig, Harold Luther, Randy Manning, Dylan McGowan, Larry McGowan, Robert McGowan, Tony McGowan, Donald McLane, Jordan McLane, Alex Meinholz, Marcel Nonn, Lucas Nordin, Bruce Paulson, Kent Petersen, Gerard Philipps, Eric Rohowetz, William Runyon, Dan Sagert, Brad Solberg, Charles Spielman, Mark Springer, Nicholas Stekel, Eric Wiegel, Earl Williams, Knight Wynn.

-- VOLLEYBALL: Craig Anderson, Jeffrey Fellenzer, Mark Flanagan, John Fullerton, Scott Garthwaite, Adam Haas, Barbara Keegan, Rick Laufenberg, Ted Lawinger, Lynn Michek, Tina Mitchell, Trevor Nichols, Kenneth Thiede, Anne Walker.

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

Monday, October 14

-- School Board meeting 6 pm: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/2067

-- Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Mauston 5 pm in MP. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

-- JV Football at Benton/Scales Mound/Shullsburg 5:30 pm. (Game is in Benton)

Tuesday, October 15

-- District Family Science Night 5-7 pm at middle/high school

-- Volleyball vs. Darlington (JV & Freshmen 5:30 pm, Varsity to follow). Radio: 93.7 fm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

-- Boys Soccer at Platteville/Lancaster (JV 5 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@plattevilleschooldistrict

-- MS Volleyball vs. Lancaster 4 pm

-- MS Cross Country at Cuba City 4:30 pm

Wednesday, October 16

-- Early Release 2 pm (every Wednesday)

-- Cornwall Student Exchange meeting 6:30 pm at middle/high school

Thursday, October 17

-- Picture Retake Day

-- SWC Conference Cross Country meet at Lancaster 4:30 pm

-- Volleyball at Iowa-Grant (JV & Freshmen 5:30 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wi/livingston/organization/12683/iowa-grant-high-school/

-- Boys Soccer at Lake Mills (JV 5 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wi/lake-mills/organization/20583/lake-mills-high-school

Friday, October 18

-- Varsity Football at Fennimore 7 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@FennimoreSchools

Saturday, October 19

-- MS Concert & Pancake Breakfast 7:30-9:30 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.

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