#PointerNation News

We are very excited to share that #PointerNation Senior Anthony Buleje Cadena has been named a Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist!

This is a very prestigious honor -- only 1,200 students were selected out of 113,000 applicants! Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

"Every year, Coke Scholars amaze me with their innovative minds and dedication to servant leadership, and I'm excited to be on the same path," he said.

Way to go, Anthony, and good luck in the next round!

(Graphic uses a photo taken by Lifka Bennett)

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!

Thank you to everyone who supported our Mineral Point FFA Chapter donation event at the Fairgrounds! Special shout out to Larry and Sammy Springer for their outstanding auctioneering skills!

4K collected leaves to take back to their classroom and made beautiful leaf-rub art.

Our October Students of the Month for the 2026-27 school year were honored Tuesday at the Mineral Point Kiwanis meeting -- a big congrats to Faye Schuette and Ronica Thousand! Read more about these star Seniors at this link.

(Schuette photo by Addie Ryser; Thousand photo by Madisyn Heim)

6th Grade was fortunate to attend the Conservation Day field trip to Bloomfield and learn about all of the nature that surrounds us in Wisconsin. It was a fun day!

These five had a fantastic time participating in the UW-Platteville Choral Festival Tuesday evening!

Abi McCain, Milena Straka, Suttyn Weinbrenner, Ella Horsfall, and Shayna Sigg did a fantastic job representing #PointerNation!

It was a great day working with clinicians, improving singing skills, and making music with new friends.

To celebrate the end of their agricultural unit, and specially the role of corn, 5th Graders ate some popcorn! Ask them about the structure of a corn plant and how farming technology has changed over the years.

Our Mineral Point FFA had a great time at the World Dairy Expo in Madison! These members interacted with businesses leading the dairy and agricultural industry. We are lucky to have this fabulous event close by.

We love the Birthday Book Cart! It's so great that students can choose a new read to keep in honor of their special day. (Students with summer birthdays celebrate on their half birthday.)

After reading the book “How an Oak Tree Grows” and learning how to use maps and map keys, 1st Graders took a walk in our Don Hawkins' Oak Savanna and mapped where the oak trees are in there!

If still with us, Mr. Hawkins would be celebrating his 105th birthday next week -- we are sure he's looking down smiling at students enjoying one of his favorite places!

High School Drawing & Painting students studied still-life objects with various surfaces, textures, and light reflections using a range of drawing pencils and white charcoal pencils. Check out their creativity!

This crew was able to explore UW-Madison and what makes it a great place for budding scientists!

In fact, science at UW-Madison is being celebrated on the world stage this week as Francis Halzen, professor of physics, was named the recipient of the Nobel Prize!

4K students are the apples of our eye!

What do you call a witch who lives at the beach? These Kindergarten students will tell you she's a sand-witch!

In 4th Grade math, students are practicing adding multi digit numbers and have been carefully lining up numbers, paying close attention to lining up place value!

This delegation of Mineral Point FFA Chapter members got to attend the Sectional Leadership Workshop hosted by Black Hawk! The goal is encouraging FFA members to develop leadership skills to be fully prepared to serve their chapters for the upcoming year.

3rd Grade Friendship Snack Mix

Our Music and Culture class took on the big city of Chicago this week to see the musical "Operation Mincemeat" at CIBC Theatre!

In 1972, President Richard Nixon declared October 6 to be National Coaches Day and we would like to celebrate the dedicated coaches that are part of #PointerNation and Dodge-Point!

This seems like a great time to also tell you that the Dodgeville School Board has hired Pointer Heather Langreck to be the new head coach of the Dodge-Point Boys and Girls Track & Field Teams! Heather has been a dedicated assistant to our Cross Country and Track & Field programs and we're excited for her to take the reigns as head coach!

Last week was Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week! Let’s give a big hand to those Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (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: Satha Chandrakanthan, Mahmood Darvish, Jeff Elsoffer, Taylor Fingerson, Stephany Marten, Robert Martin, Scott Mueller, Ananda Sathasivam, Si Shabtaie, Mike Van Sicklen, Bennett West.

-- CROSS COUNTRY: Knight Wynn.

-- FOOTBALL: Lee Black, Brian Bockhop, Geoffrey Bouc, Robert Boyle, Austin Bunders, Daniel Callway, Travis Conklin, Rich Crow, Steve Esser, Christopher Fitzsimons, Adam Guthrie, Hayden Hardyman, Logan Hardyman, Alvin Henderson, Merrill Henrichs, Eric Hesselbacher, Zachary Holmes, Mark Kelley, Brandon Klein, Gary Kraus, Michael Leard, Randy Manning, Dylan McGowan, Larry McGowan, Robert McGowan, Tyler McKeon, Marcel Nonn, Wayne Oscor, Andrew Riechers, Eric Rohowetz, Quinn Schultz, Ron Sedgwick, Andrew Seils, Brian Slaght, Brad Solberg, Charles Spielman, Mike Timmerman, Earl Williams.

-- VOLLEYBALL: Sally Aurit, Jerry Douglas, Jeff Fellenzer, John Fullerton, Scott Garthwaite, Adam Haas, Colleen Ingwell, Eliza Ingwell, David King, Tina Mitchell, Trevor Nichols, Chris Redfearn, Julie Redfearn, Quinn Schultz, Daniel Sedgwick, Jeff Simmons, Joel Stieber, Diane Yager.

Our Dodge-Point Boys Soccer team had an exciting week with two 1-1 ties vs. River Valley and Richland Center! Check out a photo album at this link.

The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD), in partnership with InControl Wisconsin, congratulates Mineral Point Unified School District for receiving a Partners with Business Competitive Integrated Employment Outreach grant!

These grants support efforts to raise awareness about competitive integrated employment (CIE) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). CIE means jobs in the community alongside people without disabilities for minimum wage or higher and with the same benefits and advancement opportunities as employees without disabilities.

Mineral Point Unified School District aims to build more competitive integrated employment opportunities for students with IDD through their Youth Apprenticeship and Employability Skills Certificate Programs. To do so, the district plans to use grant activities to expand their community partners and business network so that there is a variety of career interest areas represented.

The “Partners with Business” initiative was signed into law in 2018 and is based on a successful, cost-effective strategy from BPDD’s Let’s Get to Work youth employment project that shows businesses how co-workers can provide supports to employees with disabilities on the job.

It also includes efforts to expand awareness about hiring people with IDD so that businesses and the broader community recognize the value and contribution employees with disabilities can bring to the workplace. Through awareness building efforts, more people with IDD will get jobs in their communities and businesses will be better able to meet their workforce needs.

“The Partners with Business approach reduces the need for outside job coaches and results in employees with disabilities being more integrated in their workplace. Workers supported through this initiative need fewer public supports to successfully do their jobs. It’s an effective employment strategy that works for both people with disabilities and businesses in Wisconsin,” said Jenny Price, Executive Director for the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.

Congratulations, #PointerNation!

The WIAA has released our Boys Soccer postseason brackets! Kudos to Dodge-Point for earning a first-round home game.

DP is the #16 seed in our WIAA Division 3 bracket and will welcome in #17 Prairie du Chien/Seneca/Wauzeka-Steuben/Youth Initiative Tuesday, October 20 in the Regional Quarterfinal in Dodgeville.

The Class of 1981 had a fine time at its recent 45th reunion, taking a walk down #PointerNation memory lane!

(Send your class reunion photos to joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us)

Looks like a fine time was had by the #PointerNation Class of 1986 at its 40th Reunion Homecoming weekend at the American Legion!

(Send your class reunion photos to joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us)

The SWAL Conference is currently accepting applications for its next SWAL Commissioner to begin July 1, 2027. The SWAL Commissioner is responsible for athletic and co-curricular scheduling for SWAL schools (Boscobel, Cuba City, Darlington, Fennimore, Iowa-Grant, Mineral Point, Riverdale, and Southwestern).

Other duties include: scheduling officials, conducting conference meetings, overseeing all-conference selection processes, and overseeing conference finances.

A high school diploma, technical college associate degree, or university degree is required. Athletic Director experience is preferred.

If interested, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and three references to:

Boone Tollefson

Fennimore Middle/High School Principal

510 7th Street

Fennimore, WI 53809

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026. The SWAL Conference is an equal opportunity employer.

The Mineral Point Unified School District is hiring! Come join the great place that is #PointerNation where our mission is educating and inspiring our students for a bright future in a big world!

Mineral Point Middle/High School is seeking a dependable kitchen helper. Schedule is 6 am - 1 pm, 5 days a week. Benefits included. Interested applicants should contact Kimmy Mumm, Food Service Director, at 608-987-0734 or email foodservicedirector@mp.k12.wi.us for more information.

Blue would look good on you!

A reminder photo retake day is set for Tuesday, October 13. Retakes are for all interested, or those who missed the first day.

If your student had photos taken September 17, you should have received an email from VIP Photography with the link to order school pictures. If you did not receive one, please check all emails, as well as your spam folder.

Bring your smiles!

Hello Pointer Families and Staff --

Please plan for a 1 pm early release dismissal for all students this coming Friday, October 16.

Unfortunately, no officiating crew was available for our home Varsity Football game vs. Cuba City Friday evening. We also attempted to secure an officiating crew for Thursday evening, but that was unsuccessful. The only time referees could be found was for Friday afternoon. Game will begin at 2:30 pm.

All students will be dismissed early at 1 pm to avoid the need of running bus routes twice.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we navigate these unexpected changes. Go Pointers!

Make plans to join us Wednesday, October 21 for the Middle/High School Fall Choir Concert in the gym at 7 pm! Students are excited to perform for you.

Join us for the annual Mineral Point Kiwanis /MPHS Key Club/ Mineral Point Historical Society annual Halloween Costume Party at Orchard Lawn Saturday, October 24 at 10 am sharp!

Again this year will be lots of fun games put together by our High School Key Club.

Come join the fun!

We're excited to invite you to join us for the Mineral Point Career Fair on Wednesday, October 28 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at Mineral Point Middle/High School.

This annual event brings together nearly 70 businesses, organizations, colleges, and professionals to help our students explore future career pathways.

We are looking for participants to host a booth where you can showcase your profession, organization, or industry to our students. This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation while connecting with our school community. Lunch will be provided for all participants.

In addition to booths, we are also assembling an Entrepreneur Panel. If you have started your own business and would like to share your journey, this might be the perfect fit for you!

If you are interested in participating, RSVP to Erika Brunson, School Counselor, by email at erika.brunson@mp.k12.wi.us or by phone at 608-987-0732.

Thank you for considering being part of this important day for our students. We hope you’ll join us in making this year’s Career Fair our best yet!

Middle/High School Family/Teacher Conferences will be held Wednesday, October 28.

Middle: 2:30 - 7:30 pm

High: 4:00 - 7:30 pm

This is a fantastic opportunity to discuss your child's progress.

A reminder there will be no classes in #PointerNation Friday, October 30 as it is a Teacher Work Day for the end of the First Quarter. Enjoy the long weekend!

Prepare for the brain strain! Test your knowledge at the 8th Annual Trivia Night (hosted by Mineral Point Boys & Girls Basketball) Sunday, November 1 in the MPHS Gym from 5:30-7:30 pm!

Cost is $10 per person with tables consisting of 4 to 8 players. Pre-registration is preferred (pay at door) -- email bret.mcgraw@mp.k12.wi.us or merrill.brunson@mp.k12.wi.us to sign up.

Join the fun!

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 seven Kohl winners currently on staff, which is incredible -- it all starts with a nomination!

The deadline for nomination is Friday, October 2 for principal awards and Friday, November 13 for teacher awards. Read more at this link.

#PointerNation events coming up this week -- join us!

Monday, October 12

-- JV Volleyball SWAL Quad at Darlington 5 pm

-- CANCELED: JV Football vs. Benton/Scales Mound/Shullsburg

Tuesday, October 13

-- Picture Retake Day

-- Varsity Volleyball SWAL Quad at Fennimore 5 pm. Livestream link

-- Boys Soccer at Platteville/Lancaster (game is in Platteville) JV 5 pm, Varsity to follow. Livestream link

-- MS Volleyball at Lancaster 4 pm

Wednesday, October 14

-- Early Release 2 pm (every Wednesday)

Thursday, October 15

-- SWC Conference Cross Country at Prairie du Chien 4:30 pm

-- Volleyball vs. Riverdale (JV 5:45 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream link

-- Boys Soccer vs. Edgerton (JV 5 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream link

-- MS Football vs. Pecatonica/Argyle 5 pm

Friday, October 16

-- Early Release 1 pm due to football game

-- (We have an officials shortage forcing the time change) Varsity Football vs. Cuba City 2:30 pm. Livestream link

"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