Pride Update

No classes on Friday, October 31st!

Have a great time celebrating Halloween and enjoy your extra-long weekend!

Point of Discovery School gear is here, and it’s for everyone—students, staff, and families! You can choose hats, caps, water bottles, shirts, hoodies, sweaters, and sweatpants, all in our school colors—blue, grey, and white—and featuring the Point of Discovery logo. These items are perfect for showing school spirit or as holiday gifts for family and friends.

DON'T WAIT! The order deadline is Thursday, October 30, 2025! Click the button below to grab your favorites and proudly show off your PoDs pride!

SHOP SCHOOL APPAREL NOW!

Get ready to show your school spirit! The last week of October will be Dress Up Days at PoDs. Students can earn crew points by participating each day—every outfit brings your crew one step closer to winning the Crew Canoe Paddle at the end of the year!

October 27th: Twin Day (Twin with someone outside of your crew)

October 28th: Dress like a PoDs Staff Member

October 29th: Group Costume!

October 30th: Halloween Costume!

ART MUSEUM TRIP

Next Wednesday, October 29th, all 11th–12th graders and our Painting students will head to Wausau to visit the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and the Center for the Visual Arts. Painting students will focus on observing painting techniques in both 2D and 3D art, while 11th and 12th graders will explore how exhibits are thoughtfully curated—an important part of their spring Celebration of Learning project!

The cost for transportation is $10 per student (cash or check). Students should also bring extra money to grab lunch at a quick restaurant downtown with a friend. No one will be allowed to go off on their own. Please dress for walking outside in late October weather!

TECH FAIR VOLUNTEER TRIP

On the same day, Wednesday, October 29th, our 7th and 8th grade students will have the opportunity to volunteer downtown at the Tech Fair at the Lincoln Center—our community’s senior citizen center.

Students will leave around 9:00 AM and start their day at the public library before walking over to the Lincoln Center to help senior citizens with their technology questions. This annual trip is a great way for students to get involved in the community and grow more comfortable supporting and engaging with older generations.

If the weather is nice, students will walk downtown and back to school (about 3 miles round trip). If it’s cold or rainy, a backup bus will be provided. Students should wear clothing and shoes appropriate for late October weather. They should also bring a bagged lunch. If a student is unable to bring lunch, they can request a school-packed bag lunch by notifying the office at least one day in advance.

At PoDs, conferences aren’t just about teachers sharing updates—they’re about students taking the lead. During these special meetings, your child will showcase their work, reflect on their growth, and set goals for the next quarter, with guidance from their Crew teacher.

This year, conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, Wednesday, November 12, and Thursday, November 13. Families who want first pick of time slots are welcome to sign up now using your child’s Crew teacher’s link below.

A Note About Teacher Dinner
Our staff works hard to make these conferences meaningful. Dinner will be provided on Wednesday, and we’re asking families to help provide meals on Tuesday and Thursday. If you can contribute, please sign up using this document.

We look forward to seeing you and your student!

Mrs. Barbier's Student-Led Conference Sign Up (7th & 8th Grade)

Mr. Wotruba's Student-Led Conference Sign Up (9th Grade)

Mr. Miller's Student-Led Conference Sign Up (10th Grade)

Mr. Vinopal's Student-Led Conference Sign Up (11th Grade)

Ms. Kollock's Student-Led Conference Sign Up (12th Grade)

The Stevens Point Area Public School District now partners with Cartwheel, an evidence-based teletherapy service offering rapid access to mental health care for students and families.

Services include 1:1 teletherapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, family therapy, and parent guidance. Cartwheel is free for families with Medicaid or no insurance and in-network for most private insurance plans.

Telehealth appointments are available Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m., year-round, with no waitlist. Services are offered in over 10 languages.

This partnership provides students in grades 3 and up and their families with timely, professional mental health support.

Cartwheel Health Services

If your biological parents did not complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree, you are eligible for a

FREE college-prep program called Upward Bound through UW-Stevens Point! UWSP has

hosted the Upward Bound Program for over 55 years.

1. You may apply as soon as 8 th grade, but before 12 th grade

2. You can visit up to 9 colleges/universities/tech schools per year. We help you get to any

college you are interested in; it is NOT a recruitment program for UWSP.

3. Students are eligible for a live-in summer academic program on UWSP’s campus and

stay in the residence halls and eat in the dining facilities.

4. We take reward trips for those who participate in our activities throughout the school year

and summer.

5. Students get help with financial aid and college applications during their senior year.

6. Check out our video: https://youtu.be/0WPmg17M0qY

Requirements

Be a first-generation student (i.e., parents do not have a 4-year degree) OR income
Eligible if parents’ have a 4-year bachelor’s degree
Be in 8th-11th grade
Have a desire to go to college, a 2- or 4-year degree.

APPLY NOW!

The Stevens Point Area School District has seen an increase in student accident reports this year, so we want to remind families about the voluntary student accident insurance program available through the district. Parents and guardians can enroll their students at any time during the policy period and choose from a variety of coverage options to best fit their family’s needs.