#PointerNation News

Watch the slideshow above and meet our 63 High School Graduates! Please enjoy our #PointerNation Class of 2025's Next Steps after graduation! We are very proud and wish them much success. Everyone is welcome to join us in the gym Friday, May 23 at 7 pm for commencement.

At May's School Board meeting Monday night, the Board officially accepted the retirement notice of Mr. Dan Burreson (High School Social Studies Teacher and Head Boys Basketball Coach) effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

#PointerNation is grateful for your 35 years of service to our Mineral Point youngsters in the classroom!

During his 30 seasons as Head Boys Basketball Coach, the Pointers earned nine Conference Championships, nine WIAA Regional Championships, three WIAA Sectional Championships, one WIAA State Runner-Up, and one WIAA State Championship. He is a WBCA Hall of Fame Inductee 2021, WBCA Coach of the Year 2024, Past WBCA President, WBCA Legacy Award recipient 2019, and WBCA Steve Randall Award recipient 2024. His career record concludes at 472-237.

Coach Burreson also was our Head Baseball Coach for 20 years, winning three Conference Championships, six WIAA Regional Championships, and coaching in three WIAA Sectional Finals. His career record concluded at 267-177 in 2015.

One of the best to ever do it -- thanks, coach!

A big congrats to the members of our Class of 2025 for an amazing showing at the Senior Scholarship & Awards Day Ceremony Wednesday! A sincere thank you to all of the generous donors.

We look forward to profiling each winner in the near future -- stay tuned!

Here is the video for those who couldn't make it.

(Thanks to Tori Carey for the photo)

If you want to be a Pointer, just come along with me!

One of our fun elementary school traditions took place Friday when Kindergarteners and their 3rd Grade Buddies welcomed family and friends to view their car show!

Check out more photos at this link.

Join us in a standing ovation for the following cast members of our "Big Fish" musical who have been named award recipients for Overture's Jerry Awards from our long list of deserving nominees!

Spirit Award: Nolen Fox

Spirit Award: Taitin Riley

Both are receiving this honor for their leadership, dedication, and positivity. They will have the opportunity to perform at the Jerry Awards which, will take place on Sunday, June 8 at 6:30 pm at Overture Center in Madison. Public ticket sales open on May 24.

Pointers lend a paw -- our MPHS Key Club organized another fantastic Community Service Day! Thanks to all of our high school students and staff for rolling up their sleeves to help our community and schools.

(Pointer Media photos)

Our 26th annual Mineral Point FFA Alumni Judging Contest was held last week and we are proud to report the following results!

- High School Division: Kendyl Ruf (Champion) & Faye Schuette (Runner-Up)

- 8th Grade Division: Rachel Heisner (Champion) & Tyler Vondra (Runner-Up)

Students went to the following farms: Jill and Enos Yoder, Cory and Dar Palzkill, Mike and Amy Robinson, and Justin and Ashley Tibbits.

Thank you and congrats, all!

May is Mental Health Month! Thank you to Renewed Brain Health on High Street for letting 1st Graders share their positive affirmations to the community. They loved brightening up the sidewalks!

A sign your school is a great place to be? Students want to "play school" while at school! Maybe we have some future teachers in this bunch!

Our High School Book Club wrapped up another great year of reading adventures with a field trip to Madison! The group had fun stopping by Barnes & Noble and catching the "Thunderbolts" movie.

Did you know May is Mental Health Month? Sources of Strength encouraged middle school students to lean into their personal strengths during challenging times. Students participated by writing uplifting messages and sharing positive thoughts using sidewalk chalk. They were also invited to reflect on healthy activities they engaged in throughout the week and write a note of appreciation to their mentor. A great week of positive vibes!

Recreation Education and Exploration Day (REED) is an opportunity for students to focus on exploring resources in the community, gain exposure to possible lifelong recreational habits, and strengthen socialization skills. Our Pointers had a great time at Governor Dodge State Park!

Physical Education classes ventured to UW-Platteville for some action-packed fun on the high ropes course! Teamwork and collaboration were a must for success!

3rd Graders were treated to a visit from Aubrey with UW-Madison who came in to give a physics presentation! The students were very well behaved and seemed to enjoy all the demonstrations. It was really engaging and fun!

A big thank you to Aspen Ridge Home & Garden for donating flowers and seeds for the 2nd Graders to plant in their butterfly garden bed! Bring on the butterflies!

We've certainly had some summer-like weather this week, but we are keeping it cool here in #PointerNation! Tropical vibes only!

(Thanks to Pointer Media for the photos)

Pointers work hard and play hard! Following a morning of community service, high schoolers enjoyed the annual Spring Fling, an afternoon filled with fun games, food, and friends! Thanks to the Student Council for organizing.

(Pointer Media photos)

Grant, Iowa, & Lafayette Shopping News has announced its 2025 Best of the Best Award Finalists and we are excited to share that #PointerNation's own Assistant Football Coach Chris Mitchell is one of three finalists for the Shopping News Coach of the Year -- winners will be announced at a banquet June 12 at UW-Platteville. Thanks for all you do for our young people, Coach!

Firsties explored Australia. Ask them about a favorite animal that lives there!

Firsties traveled to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil to learn about the plants and animals found there!

1st Graders put a ton of love into their Mother's Day gifts! We hope all the moms enjoyed seeing themselves through their child's eyes.

Give a cheer for #PointerNation -- it's a great place to be!

Luis and Liam have been busy with their latest kitchen-and-community activity! They used a recipe from Profe Ponsler and made their own batch of Salsa Roja after learning about Cinco de Mayo. Luis and Liam helped with all of the preparation and both approved of the taste! Lots of great communication throughout!

5th Graders had a blast venturing to Four Mounds Ropes Course in Dubuque! They were able to work on improving teamwork and communication in a fun outdoor setting.

The most prestigious team award a #PointerNation 8th Grade Wrestler can receive is the Scott Graber Memorial Award. Congratulations to this year's recipient, Abbey Finley! Abbey placed 2nd at the Youth Folkstyle State Wrestling Championship this spring.

(Thanks to Tori Carey for the photo)

Mineral Point High School is excited to announce its next Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach -- please join us in welcoming Merrill Brunson to this position!

Merrill is currently a 6th Grade Teacher in #PointerNation.

His extensive basketball coaching experience includes: Mineral Point 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach 2025, Platteville 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach 2011-24, Platteville 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach 2011-24, Mineral Point Youth Basketball Coach 2020-Present, and Platteville High School Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach 2002-10.

As a player, Merrill had a standout career for UW-Platteville, winning two National Championships under Head Coach Bo Ryan on the basketball court. He is the first Pioneer to receive National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division III Player of the Year honors (only two have in school history). He has the honor of calling himself a member of both the WIAC and UW-Platteville Halls of Fame.

Coach Brunson is looking forward to leading and mentoring student-athletes, fostering a culture of teamwork and accountability, and building a successful program, both on and off the court through strategic game planning, skill development, and academic support.

“I’m honored to lead the girls basketball program. My goal is to build a culture of hard work, accountability, and team unity—both on and off the court. I’m excited to get started and help these student-athletes grow as players and people,” said Brunson.

Congrats to the team of Denise Gorgen, Chad Martin, Morgan Burris, and Micki Uppena who won the Staff Step Challenge this winter! Our District's Wellness Committee sponsored the event.

The WIAA Softball postseason brackets have been released!

Kudos to our #PointerNation Softball Team for earning the #2 seed and a first round bye in our WIAA Division 4 bracket! The Pointers will host the winner of #7 Riverdale/#10 Boscobel Tuesday, May 27 in the Regional Semifinal.

Full bracket can be found here.

At Monday night's School Board meeting, 2025-26 officers were elected. Congrats to: Aaron Dunn, President; Rachael Bergstrom, Vice President; Will Harris, Clerk; and Justin Skelding, Treasurer. Article and video from Monday's meeting is available here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2025/05/may-school-board-notes-votes-2/

The Mineral Point Unified School District Wellness Committee is currently being revised and reassembled, as the Wellness Policy is under review by the Mineral Point School Board. We look forward to working with a new committee for the next school year and are looking for a diverse group of stakeholders. If you are interested in participating, please reach out to School Nurse Jayne Lindsey at jayne.lindsey@mp.k12.wi.us (Please note -- due to space limitations, it's possible not all people who express interest will be selected for the committee. Thanks for your understanding.)

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 Social Studies Teacher

-- Full time High School English Teacher

-- Part time ESL Teacher

-- Part time (three hours) Elementary Food Service: apply to District Administrative Assistant Angie Schubert (angie.schubert@mp.k12.wi.us)

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

-- See why blue would look good on you!

A reminder -- no classes will be held in #PointerNation Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. School will resume Tuesday.

Unlock oceans of possibilities! Make plans to attend the annual Elementary Reading Night, Art Show & 5th Grade Volume Zoo this Wednesday, May 28 from 4-6 pm! It's always an exciting culmination to another great school year filled with learning and fun.

We are looking forward to celebrating our 12th, 8th & 5th Grade Graduates very soon and are so proud of all they've accomplished! Details below:

12th Grade Graduation

Friday, May 23

7 pm - High School Gym

8th Grade Graduation

Wednesday, June 4

12:30 pm - High School Gym

5th Grade Graduation

Wednesday, June 4

11 am - Elementary School Gym

With the announcement of Coach Burreson's retirement, this week's Throwback Thursday #TBT is dedicated to the first boys basketball team he was head coach of in #PointerNation back in 1995-96! This was also the final season in the old gym.

Left to right, front row: Marcus Miller, Bruce Dannenberg, Brian Berning, Jeremy Esch, BJ Buss, Andy Post, Kyle Evans, and Manager Shawn Schaaf. Back row: Assistant Coach Bill Mitchell, Student Assistant Coach Andy Busch, Adam Milz, Nick Burris, Russ Bahr, Mike Schmit, Jeremy Marr, Josh Lindsey, Brian Keyes, Assistant Coach Ron Gratz, and Head Coach Dan Burreson.

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

Monday, May 19

-- Softball vs. Iowa-Grant (Varsity 4:30 pm, JV to follow)

-- Girls Soccer at Mount Horeb (JV 5 pm, Varsity to follow)

Tuesday, May 20

-- MOVED TO THURSDAY, MAY 22: Varsity Conference Golf Meet at New Glarus

-- MOVED TO THURSDAY, MAY 22: Conference Track & Field Meet at Dodgeville

-- POSTPONED TO TUESDAY MAY 27: Varsity Baseball at Riverdale

-- CANCELED: JV Baseball vs. Darlington

Wednesday, May 21

-- Early Release 2 pm (every Wednesday)

Thursday, May 22

-- Varsity Conference Golf Meet at New Glarus 11:30 am

-- Conference Track & Field Meet at Dodgeville 4 pm

-- Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Richland Center 5 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@DodgevilleSchoolDistrict

-- Softball vs. Barneveld (Varsity 4:30 pm, JV to follow)

-- Varsity Baseball vs. Fennimore 4:30 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

-- JV Baseball at Fennimore 4:30 pm

Friday, May 23

-- 12th Grade Graduation 7 pm in HS Gym

Saturday, May 24

-- MS State Track & Field at Waupun 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.

"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