#PointerNation News
May 12, 2025
CRYSTAL APPLE NOMINEES
A big congrats to our amazing nine #PointerNation staff members who were nominated for WMTV 15 News Madison's Crystal Apple Awards!
- McKenzy Brown, 6th Grade Teacher
- Morgan Burris, District Special Education Teacher
- Erin Leonard, 4K Teacher
- Carmen McDonald, Kindergarten Teacher
- Courtney Miess, 3rd Grade Teacher
- Heather Moellers, Elementary Art Teacher
- Chloe Muhlstein, 5th Grade Teacher
- Michelle Rielly, Middle School English Teacher
- Jenny Singer, 3rd Grade Teacher
Thank you to everyone who took the time to make a nomination. Full list of nominees available at this link.
SCHUH SHARES INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE
#PointerNation Middle/High School welcomed friends from Barneveld Middle/High School Friday afternoon for an uplifting message by speaker Tasha Schuh!
Tasha and her husband, Doug, loved sharing resilience tools and practical mental health skills with such engaged students.
Tasha is an inspirational speaker from Wisconsin who equips youth and educators to be resilient for their mental and emotional health. The four components of her speech, PATH (Purpose, Attitude, Team, and Hope), helped Tasha be resilient after a life-changing theater accident at age 16, which left her paralyzed from the chest down. She now lives a vibrant, fulfilling life. Read more about her at this link.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
#PointerNation is delighted to announce four MPHS students are being recognized by the United Nations Association of the USA and InnerView in the 8th Annual Community Service Impact Awards! Congrats to: Kalea Biddick, Anthony Buleje Cadena, Cole Hentrich, and Faye Schuette!
This program, open to all US students, has been designed to connect student community service activities, skill development, and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals to transform our world. These students are an inspiration for other students to get involved in our community.
CHAMPION GAMES
Check out the awesome #PointerNation crew at the annual CESA 3 Champion Games Friday at Boscobel. Great job, everyone! Always a fun day and this year's weather was fantastic!
(Robert Callahan photo)
ROBINSON RECEIVES SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD
#PointerNation's Ellie Robinson etched her name into our school's history books by becoming only the 5th Pointer to ever earn the prestigious Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Scholar Athlete Award!
Ellie was joined by family, friends, and staff in Stevens Point last Sunday for a memorable ceremony, including guest speaker Mike Jacques. She was able to be recognized alongside her Dodge-Point running teammate Layne Aurit from Dodgeville.
Ellie's dad (our middle/high school agriculture teacher) Mike Robinson was recognized in 1992 as a WIAA Scholar Athlete at Mauston.
Congratulations, Ellie!
CAREY, JAMES ARE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Our May Students of the Month for the 2024-25 school year were honored Tuesday at the Mineral Point Kiwanis meeting -- a big congrats to Cylin Carey and Alan James! These are the final Students of the Month for the school year. Read more about these star Seniors here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2025/05/carey-james-are-students-of-the-month/
(Carey photo by Tori Carey; James photo by Lifka Bennett)
Best of Show
2nd Place
3rd Place
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
STUDENTS SHINE AT ART SHOW
Thanks to all who stopped by the Middle/High School Art Show last week! So much talent on display! Congrats to our winners:
-- Best of Show (1st Place): Evelyn Backes, Color Me Celebrity
-- 2nd Place: Nolen Fox, Mosaic
-- 3rd Place: Quentin Walter, Altered Book
-- Honorable Mention: Ella Wilson, Bobblehead
-- Honorable Mention: Thomas Ringlet, Puppet
4TH GRADE HEADS TO UWP FARM
4th Graders had a fantastic day at UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm! The day was packed with rotations. Students enjoyed seeing a milking parlor, robotic milker, and petting the baby calves was a fan favorite! Such a perfect day on the farm.
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING CONCERT
High Schoolers hit high notes at Spring Concert! Thanks to everyone who showed up to support Wednesday evening!
If you'd like to check out the video, it can be found at this link.
More photos are shared here.
SOFTBALL ALL-STARS
Kudos to Ally Baehler and Liz Hoffman who have been named to the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association's D4/5 Senior All-Star game squad! The 2025 All-Star Game will be held Tuesday, June 17 at the Woodside Sports Complex in Wisconsin Dells. Read more about the event at this link.
NEW BOOK, SAME SERIES
2nd Graders are discovering how much fun it is to read multiple books from the same series! Keep it rolling, kids!
SENIOR MUSIC AWARD WINNERS
Wednesday night was special for our Senior musicians! Congrats to those earning prestigious honors for fine careers in our bands and choirs:
- John Philip Sousa Band Award: Nolen Fox
- National School Choral Award: Addison Christopher
- Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Finn Renwick
- Musical Theatre Award: Taitin Riley and Lila Thousand
- Music Boosters Award: Anthony Luu
TASTY HOMEMADE BUTTER
After finishing the classic novel, "Little House in the Big Woods," 4th Grade students had the opportunity to make their own butter! Although their methods didn’t include a butter churn, students still had fun shaking whipping cream and watching the magic unfold while their liquid cream transformed into butter. Sooo tasty!
JEOPARDY WINNERS
Jeopardy! tournaments are a thing of legend in #PointerNation. Congrats to this year's team champion: Annabelle Busch, Lennon Ewert, Logan Johnson, Thorin Vamstad and also to this year's MVP, Preston Lease!
BUDDY READING
What's better than Beach Towel Buddy Reading?!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPRING CONCERT
Middle School makes musical memories at Spring Concert! Thanks to everyone who showed up to support Tuesday evening!
If you'd like to check out the video, it can be found at this link.
Check out more photos here.
COLLINS CLAIMS WWF STATE TITLE
Let's hear it for Dealya Collins! She claimed the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation's Girls Junior Freestyle 130 lb. State Championship last weekend in Wisconsin Dells. This win sets Dealya up for another exciting successful summer on the mat!
SNAPSHOTS
Dodge-Point Girls Soccer hosted a game in MP on Ron Murphy Field last week! The girls also posted a 2-2 tie against the state's 5th ranked team, River Valley. Check out more photos at this link.
SNAPSHOTS
#PointerNation Softball had another fantastic week, including knocking off the state's 3rd ranked team, Cuba City to move into a tie for first place in the SWAL. More photos available at this link.
SUPERINTENDENT'S CORNER
Check out the latest Superintendent's Corner by Mitch Wainwright: Federal Funding Uncertainty
Tasha (Terrill) Miller
We celebrated Staff Appreciation Week by featuring #PointerNation employees who are also MPHS Alumni! Thank you to those of our staff who are Pointers for life!
Tasha (Terrill) Miller, Literacy Interventionist
MPHS Class of 1998
How did MP Schools help prepare you for a successful future?
- "I had wonderful educators that believed in me and helped me succeed. I was taught to try new things and learn from my mistakes. I was empowered with real life skills to give me more responsibility for my own learning. I was inspired to follow in my mother's footsteps in education and be a lifelong learner."
What do you enjoy most about serving your alma mater?
- "I would have to say being 'back' in Mineral Point. I was away for a few years in a bigger school and nothing compares to the HOME feeling you have when you are in MP. The community and the the students are really special and care about each other. I am also very lucky to work in the same district as my own three children and see them everyday. I also have been very lucky to be part of the wonderful girls basketball program in which I played for, and now help coach my own girls in their memorable high school career."
Katelyn (Terrill) Dunham
We celebrated Staff Appreciation Week by featuring #PointerNation employees who are also MPHS Alumni! Thank you to those of our staff who are Pointers for life!
Katelyn (Terrill) Dunham, 1st Grade Teacher
MPHS Class of 2003
How did MP Schools help prepare you for a successful future?
- "Mineral Point has always had amazing teachers who were supportive and knowledgeable. Through their guidance they helped shape so many lives. I hope all of my past teachers (and some that still teach at MP) know how much I appreciated them as teachers."
What do you enjoy most about serving your alma mater?
- "Mineral Point is a special district. The staff and students are top notch, the community support is overwhelming, and all the pride we have for this little town is outstanding! I chose to come back here and teach because I wanted to give back to a place that helped shape the person I am today. I am truly lucky to be a Pointer again!"
Bret McGraw
We celebrated Staff Appreciation Week by featuring #PointerNation employees who are also MPHS Alumni! Thank you to those of our staff who are Pointers for life!
Bret McGraw, Middle School Social Studies Teacher
MPHS Class of 2000
How did MP Schools help prepare you for a successful future?
- "I feel lucky to have been taught by such talented and caring teachers at MP Schools. They pushed me to be consistent, to be engaged, and to always do my best. More than that, they truly believed in us. Their support made school a place I wanted to be—and it gave me the foundation I needed to succeed after graduation."
What do you enjoy most about serving your alma mater?
- "There’s something truly special about Mineral Point—it’s a community like no other. Coming back to serve the place where I grew up has been incredibly meaningful. I care deeply about MP and feel grateful for the chance to give back and help carry on its strong tradition of pride and excellence."
Bill Ottoway
Bill Ottoway, Liaison Officer
MPHS Class of 1986
How did MP Schools help prepare you for a successful future?
- "Steered me towards the military."
What do you enjoy most about serving your alma mater?
- "Getting to see generations of students pass through the halls of the great MPHS."
Curtis Fiedler
Curtis Fiedler, Middle School Special Education Teacher
MPHS Class of 2006
How did MP Schools help prepare you for a successful future?
- "I had great teachers and administration that genuinely cared about my future, not just because I went to Mineral Point Schools, but because we have a community that is invested and supports all aspects of what Mineral Point has to offer. From the academics, to athletics, to clubs like FFA, Skills USA, and FBLA, to the musical and band. We have a community that supports all our district has to offer to kids that benefit them for our future."
What do you enjoy most about serving your alma mater?
- "The people I get to see and work with on a daily basis make it a joy to come to work. The teachers, the administration, the kids, and the people in Mineral Point make it a special place to call home. We have a city that wants to see Mineral Point succeed in whatever kids are participating in, which allows us to cheer from afar as students move on to the next chapter of their lives and represent Mineral Point to the best of their abilities."
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 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
SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP DAY
CAR SHOW
Start your engines for the annual Kindergarten & 3rd Grade Buddy Car Show! Keys will be in the ignitions at 2 pm at the elementary track Friday, May 16.
MEMORIAL DAY
A reminder -- no classes will be held in #PointerNation Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. School will resume Tuesday.
ELEMENTARY READING NIGHT, ART SHOW & VOLUME ZOO
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.
GRADUATION CEREMONIES
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
THIS WEEK'S #POINTERNATION STAFF SALUTES
#POINTERNATION EVENTS FOR THE WEEK
#PointerNation events coming up this week -- join us! (Please note these schedules are always subject to change)
Monday, May 12
-- School Board meeting 6 pm: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/2067
-- Softball at Riverdale (Varsity 4:30 pm, JV to follow)
-- Varsity Baseball vs. Iowa-Grant 4:30 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers
-- JV Baseball at Iowa-Grant 4:30 pm
-- JV & Varsity Golf at Barneveld 4 pm
-- MS Track & Field at Boscobel 4 pm
Tuesday, May 13
-- Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Prairie du Chien 6 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@DodgevilleSchoolDistrict
-- Varsity Baseball at Iowa-Grant 4:30 pm
-- CANCELED: JV Conference Golf Meet at New Glarus
-- JV Baseball vs. Iowa-Grant 4:30 pm
-- JV Softball at Deerfield 5 pm
Wednesday, May 14
-- Early Release 2 pm (every Wednesday)
-- Varsity Golf at New Glarus 9:30 am
-- Senior Scholarship Awards 3 pm in cafeteria. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers
Thursday, May 15
-- Girls Soccer vs. Platteville/Lancaster (Varsity 5 pm, JV to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@DodgevilleSchoolDistrict
-- Softball at Fennimore (Varsity 5 pm, JV to follow). Radio: 1590 am.
-- MS Track & Field at Platteville 4:30 pm
Friday, May 16
-- Kindergarten & 3rd Grade Buddy Car Show 2 pm at elem track
-- Varsity Baseball vs. Southwestern 4:30 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers
-- Track & Field at Boscobel 3:30 pm
-- JV & Varsity Golf at Darlington 4 pm
-- Girls Soccer at Sauk Prairie (JV 5 pm, Varsity to follow)
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.
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