#PointerNation News

Hello Pointer Families,

Mineral Point Unified School District Online Registration is now open for the 2025-26 School Year! We are asking that you complete all info online by the end of the day Sunday, August 3.

Please read more important registration details here that will assist you through the process.

If you have any registration questions, or need assistance, please contact the District Office at 608-987-0740.

Some highlights:

1. Student demographic information must be filled out online in Skyward Family Access.

2. All fees can be paid through Fee Management, or you can still drop payment off at school if you prefer to not pay online.

3. Any Parent/Guardian with a student who is NEW to the district and has not yet enrolled can follow this link or contact Shelby Sporle at 608-987-0739 ext. 127 to set up an in-person appointment.

4. All students will complete a transportation form within online registration. If you have any questions regarding busing, contact First Student at 608-987-3911.

5. Please consider applying for free & reduced meals. To read more about income guidelines and apply, visit this link.

6. K-5th grade families with full-time enrolled students may also complete the Pointer Kids Club Registration form within online registration for before and after school care, if interested. If you have PKC questions, please contact pkc@mp.k12.wi.us.

We look forward to another great year and are glad to have you joining us -- #PointerNation is a great place to be!

We have a familiar face set to serve as #PointerNation’s next Middle/High School Athletic & Activities Director and Phy Ed Teacher!

Let’s welcome Tom Ingwell to his new role!

Mr. Ingwell has a diverse history with our district including Instructional Assistant (2012-14), Elementary Phy Ed Teacher (2018-23), and Elementary Principal (2023-25).

Please read Mr. Ingwell’s message regarding his decision to change positions:

Dear Pointer Nation,

I wanted to take a moment to share some personal and professional news with you. After much reflection and discussion with my family, I’ve made the decision to transition out of my role as Elementary Principal and into a new position as Athletic Director and Physical Education Teacher at Mineral Point.

This decision was not easy. I’ve gone back and forth for quite some time, but ultimately, it came down to finding a better balance between work and family. The demands of the principal role, while incredibly meaningful, have required long hours and time away from home. The Athletic Director/Phy Ed position will allow me to remain actively involved in our school community while also being more present for my own family.

That said, stepping away from the elementary team is one of the hardest parts of this decision. I truly love what we’ve built together over the past two years. I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished, and even more proud of the dedication, heart, and energy our staff brings to students every single day.

Looking ahead, I am excited to begin this new chapter and to work alongside our outstanding coaches, parents, and student-athletes. Mineral Point has a proud and successful athletic tradition, and my goal is to continue that legacy while also creating an experience that builds character, teamwork, and pride across all levels.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Mineral Point Schools. I’m honored to continue serving our community in this new role and look forward to seeing many of you on the sidelines, in the stands, and around the district.

Go Pointers!

Our super sweet 3rd Graders made their way to High Street Sweets during Summer Adventure Camp for some special treats!

1st Graders talked about the night sky when camping and about stars during Summer Adventure Camp! Students had to use their flashlights to find stars with a sight word on it.

1st Graders in Summer Adventure Camp listened to "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," drew pictures of the food, and retold the story from start to finish using pictures and signs!

Team work makes the dream work in Summer Adventure Camp!

Down on the Farm at Summer Adventure Camp continues! Students wrote sight words in “wool” aka shaving cream!

Mindfulness in motion! 2nd Graders made their very own sensory bottle to take home from Summer Adventure Camp. Students also did yoga, practiced breathing techniques, and talked about different ways to help their bodies feel calm and in control.

A big thanks to CESA 3 for helping our elementary staff complete the Keys to Beginning Reading training! This is a testament to our crew for their hard work, commitment, and dedication to improving early literacy.

Our oak savanna is beautiful and fun in all seasons and Summer Adventure Camp was no exception!

Our “Kings of Kindergarten!” After playing Old King Cole, they were able to make their own sparkly crowns in Summer Adventure Camp!

Congratulations to our middle school students who read between five million and six million words during the 2024-25 school year!

- Calum Brunson (our top middle school reader for the second year in a row)

- Ruby Syvrud

As Sir Richard Steele said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."

Thank you to Triple P Express for the special treat to all our students who read over one million words.

Keep reading, keep growing!

Congratulations to our middle school students who read between three million and four million words during the 2024-25 school year!

- Brynn Gossens

- Avery Tupper

As Sir Richard Steele said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."

Thank you to Triple P Express for the special treat to all our students who read over one million words.

Keep reading, keep growing!

Congratulations to our middle school students who read between two million and three million words during the 2024-25 school year!

- Carter Finley

- Lillian Heisner

- Mya Hoffman

- Ella Horsfall

- Stella Leonard

- Clayton Nothem

- Skyler Parish

As Sir Richard Steele said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."

Thank you to Triple P Express for the special treat to all our students who read over one million words.

Keep reading, keep growing!

Congratulations to our middle school students who read between one million and two million words during the 2024-25 school year!

- Nathan Allendorf

- Berklee Baker

- Bella Basting

- Elias Bergstrom

- Liam Bonnett

- Dayne Brogley

- EJ Chapman

- Hannah Coniber

- Audrey Coyier

- Sophia Erickson

- Ethan Gossens

- Keegan Grams

- Freya Grettie-Belling

- Tayte Hoffman

- Kira Hook

- Blake Ivey

- Avalee Langreck

- Owen Leonard

- Olive Lindsey

- Mira McGraw

- Isabelle Moyer

- Cullen Palzkill

- Aaliyah Peterson

- Ella Runde

- Aiden Sauer

- Grant Schaaf

- Griffin Soldner

- Nataly Sowers

- Stella Terrill

- Jack Tippett

- Tatum Tippett

- Mya Wagner

- Ned Weaver

- Ezra Wilson

As Sir Richard Steele said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."

Thank you to Triple P Express for the special treat to all our students who read over one million words.

Keep reading, keep growing!

Terrific tie dye shirt making in 2nd Grade Pointer Adventure Camp! Groovy!

Congratulations to #PointerNation Elementary Librarian Micki Uppena who completed a three-year term as the K-12 Library Representative on the WiLS (formerly Wisconsin Library Services) Board of Directors!

Micki volunteered on the Ideas to Action grant application review committee and was active in representing the needs of K-12 members.

The mission of WiLS is:

- We believe libraries, cultural institutions, and their partners make the world a better place.

- We build relationships and provide services so they can do more with their time and money.

- We help our members turn ideas into action.

Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) held its annual Summer Symposium recently in Stevens Point -- congrats to Communications Director Joëlle Doye who was asked to present with Stevens Point Area Public School District Director of Communications Sarah O'Donnell and School District of Westfield Superintendent Michelle Johnson. The trio shared the importance of schools being their own news outlet and working with media in "Bridging the Gap: Communication that Connects."

Kudos to Aida Tuttle who is part of the Tri-State Team Heat 16U Red Softball Team, which was named Swnews4U Sports' Team of the Week! Read more at this link.

"All you have to do is dream," Caitlin Clark

We've got that covered! Visions of championships danced in their heads during #PointerNation Girls Basketball Camp!

Bump, set, spike! The next generation of #PointerNation Champions in the making at Volleyball Camp!

¡Olé! Here is a Throwback Thursday #TBT post dedicated to Señor VG! Enjoy these gems from the early 2000s -- happy retirement, Mr. Van Galen!

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

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

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)

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.

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

-- See why blue would look good on you!

"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