#PointerNation News
August 4, 2025
PENCIL US IN
Pencil us in! Classes begin in a month on September 2 for grades K-12 (EC & 4K start September 4). A reminder the 2025-26 district calendar can be found at this link.
SWEET SUMMER TREATS
A fitting and fun end to 1st Grade Summer Adventure Camp -- popsicles!
AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS
Let's hear it for these talented young #PointerNation artists! They participated in the Dodgeville Federated Woman's Club Helen Farnsworth Mears Art Contest and received well-deserved accolades!
-- Local Awards
1st Place: Viola Murn
Honorable Mention: Colette Dunn
-- Viola then went on to compete in Regional Competition
Great job!
ITSY BITSY SPIDER
The itsy bitsy spider didn’t make it past their tummies in Summer Adventure Camp!
MIDDLE SCHOOL HELPER
The Summer Adventure Camp Kindergarten crew has enjoyed their special middle school helper, Ella Runde!
CREATIVITY
Creative juices were flowing in 1st Grade Summer Adventure Camp as students made 2D and 3D shapes with toothpicks and marshmallows!
COW JUMPS OVER THE MOON
Have you seen a cow jumping over the moon? Our Summer Adventure Camp Kindergarteners sure did!
WRESTLING TEAM TO BE HONORED BY BREWERS
On Friday, August 8, our #PointerNation State Champion Wrestling Team will be honored during the Milwaukee Brewers pregame festivities!
This is a 7:10 pm game vs. the New York Mets at American Family Field.
Congratulations and enjoy the well-deserved spotlight!
COMMUNITY FOOTBALL DAY
Community Football Day, presented by the Gridiron Club, is just around the corner, scheduled for Saturday, August 9! There will be:
- 11 am-2 pm: JV/Varsity Football Carwash Fundraiser at Mound City Bank
- 3:30-4 pm: Player Check-in at HS Football Field
- 4-6 pm: Scrimmages & Skill Activities at HS Football Field
- 4-7 pm: Food Truck Festival at HS Parking Lot
SUBSTITUTE TRAINING
We'd love to have you join our sub pool! There will be a Substitute Teacher Training held at CESA 3 in Fennimore at 9 am on August 13.
This training is one of the requirements for a sub license in Wisconsin (including the minimum of an associate's degree).
Participants can register using this link: https://cesa3events.org/events/substitute-teacher-training-august-13-2025/
6TH GRADE ORIENTATION
6th Grade Orientation will take place Tuesday, August 19 at 6:30 pm! We look forward to seeing everyone -- welcome to this exciting chapter called middle school! Any questions, please reach out to brooke.mcgraw@mp.k12.wi.us or carrie.brinkman@mp.k12.wi.us
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS
Hello Pointer Families -- Students and families are welcome to stop by for Back to School Nights to drop off supplies and meet teachers and staff. We are excited to see everyone and are ready for another fantastic year!
Tuesday, August 26
-- K-5 Elementary: 4 - 6 pm
-- 6-12 Middle/High: 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Wednesday, August 27
-- EC & 4K: 4:30 - 6 pm (Optional Parent/Guardian Meeting 5:30 pm)
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Mark your calendar for this year's #PointerNation Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony!
Join us Friday, August 29 at halftime of the home game vs. Platteville as we recognize the accomplishments of the following outstanding Pointers:
- Mike Gratz (Class of 1966)
- Kraig Wasley (Class of 1985)
- Jamie Palzkill (Class of 2003)
- Rob Goldthorpe (Class of 2008)
Congratulations to all!
CLASS OF 1960
Looks like a fine time was had by the #PointerNation Class of 1960 at its 65th Reunion July 24 at Cow Tippers Pub & Eatery!
Front row: Janice Campbell Bolan, Joyce Helms Laverty, Mary Lynn Hermanson Duncan, Marieta McKernan Lord, Mary Ludlum Schweitzer.
Second row: Carolyn Spargo Lien, Doris Olson Freymiller, Donna Olson Wiegel.
Third row: Ron Dolphin, Charles Seymour, Bob Bisarek, Bill Dobson, Bob Ivey.
(Send your class reunion photos to joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us)
WIAC SCHOLASTIC HONOR ROLL
Alumni Alert! Congrats to our seven Pointer grads who have earned placement on the WIAC Conference Scholastic Honor Roll for their performance in the classroom and in athletics during the 2024-25 school year!
- Grant Bossert, UW-Platteville Baseball
- Leyten Bowers, UW-Stout Baseball
- Grant Lee, UW-Eau Claire Swimming & Diving
- Mallory Lindsey, UW-Oshkosh Basketball
- Dominik McVay, UW-Whitewater Baseball
- Alex Ross, UW-Stevens Point Golf
- Kennedy Wenger, UW-Platteville Volleyball
DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME
"Don't you forget about me..." A little 1980s Breakfast Club final walkout music for Mr. Van Galen and Mr. Burreson -- enjoy retirement, gentlemen!
SUPPLY LISTS
School supplies are starting to hit store shelves! Lists are available for the 2025-26 school year at this link.
Please remember that if your family needs help with supplies, 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 supplies.
WE ARE HIRING
The Mineral Point Unified School District has job openings. Come join the great place that is #PointerNation where our mission is inspiring students for a bright future in a big world!
2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR OPENINGS:
-- Full Time High School Math Teacher: https://wecan.waspa.org/Vacancy/241745
-- Two Full Time Instructional Assistants: https://wecan.waspa.org/Vacancy/242147
Mineral Point Elementary is searching for staff for our Pointer Kids Club (Before and After School Program) for the 2025-26 school year.
-- Part Time Director
-- Part Time Assistant
Contact Superintendent Mitch Wainwright at mitch.wainwright@mp.k12.wi.us or 608-987-0740 with interest.
Pointer Kids Club is designed to provide a safe, interactive, and fun environment for 4K-5th Grade MP students by offering a variety of open-ended, play-based and physical activities before and after school, outside the traditional school day. Morning care will start at 7 am. After school care is from dismissal time until 6 pm.
Standing open positions include:
-- Substitutes for Food Service
-- Substitutes for Custodians
-- Substitutes for Teachers & Instructional Assistants
-- Substitutes for Office Administrative Assistants
To inquire about the standing open positions, contact Angie Schubert at 608-987-0740 or angie.schubert@mp.k12.wi.us
SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHTS
Anna Robinson
- MP Alumni Foundation Scholarship
- Anonymous Agriculture Scholarship
- Compeer Financial Scholarship
- Farmers Appreciation Day Scholarship
- Mineral Point FFA Chapter Scholarship
- Iowa County Cattleman's Association Scholarship
- Iowa County Farm Bureau Scholarship
- National FFA Organization Foundation Scholarship
- Premier Cooperative Scholarship
- MP Skills USA Scholarship
- Youth Apprenticeship Award
- South Dakota State University Academic Scholarship
- South Dakota State Jackrabbits Athletic Scholarship
Ellen Robinson
- MP Alumni Foundation Scholarship
- Anonymous Agriculture Scholarship
- Compeer Financial Scholarship
- Farmers Appreciation Day Scholarship
- Mineral Point FFA Chapter Scholarship
- Iowa County Cattleman's Association Scholarship
- Iowa County Farm Bureau Scholarship
- Premier Cooperative Scholarship
- MP Skills USA Scholarship
- Uplands Garden Club Scholarship
- Youth Apprenticeship Award
- Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Scholar Athlete Award Winner
- WIAA Scholar Athlete We Energies Foundation Scholarship
- South Dakota State University Jackrabbit Guarantee Scholarship
- South Dakota State Jackrabbits Athletic Scholarship
Cambrian Rowe
- MP Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship
- Youth Apprenticeship Award
Kade Rule
- Youth Apprenticeship Award
- Next "Point" Scholarship
- Chattanooga Athletics Department Wrestling Scholarship
Leah Sargent
- Youth Apprenticeship Award
- Bill & Rosalie Logue Memorial Scholarship
- Dual Enrollment Award
Carter Schilling
- Youth Apprenticeship Award
- Dual Enrollment Award
Luke Schubert
- State of Wisconsin Technical Excellence Scholarship
- Youth Apprenticeship Award
- Badger State Ethanol, LLC Scholarship
- Compeer Financial Scholarship
- Mineral Point FFA Alumni Scholarship
- Iowa County Cattleman's Association Scholarship
- Lafayette County Farm Bureau Scholarship
- Dual Enrollment Award
- Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction Scholarship
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS #POINTERNATION?
Where in the world is #PointerNation?
Hallie Brant ventured to Hutchinson, MN for the 34th annual Orange Day Spectacular to accept a $1000 scholarship. She also received $2000 from Nutrien Ag Solutions. Congrats!
Where in the world is #PointerNation?
The Heiring boys took a road trip to Texas to visit family, making memorable stops along the way at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Fantastic Caverns in Missouri, and at the Houston Interactive Aquarium!
Where in the world is #PointerNation?
Lily Fox spent 24 days on trail backpacking in the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness in Idaho!
Send your Summer Break adventures to joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us
THIS WEEK'S #POINTERNATION STAFF SALUTES
Merrill Brunson
7/30: Merrill Brunson (6th Grade Teacher)
Kris McCoy
8/4: Kris McCoy (Middle/High School Librarian)
Mineral Point Unified School District
"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