#PointerNation News

The first day of school is always a magical time, but it contained a special surprise in #PointerNation!

We are very proud to share that, during the middle/high school Tuesday morning assembly, Superintendent Mitch Wainwright learned he has been named the 2025 Administrator of the Year by the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance!

Here in Pointer Nation, there’s no doubt we have a championship culture, but we also strive to have a culture of caring and compassion. All of these characteristics are modeled in leadership from the top down.

Wainwright, a lifelong educator with 40 years of service in rural Wisconsin schools, is recognized for his student-centered leadership and deep commitment to community. Since becoming superintendent in 2018, he has successfully led Mineral Point through major initiatives, including passing multiple operating and facility referenda, increasing enrollment, and ensuring the district remains a destination for both families and educators.

Known for his approachable style, Wainwright is a visible and positive presence in schools, whether greeting students in the halls each morning, assisting with dismissal duty, or dressing up as “Zippy Zero” to help kindergartners learn to count.

The WiRSA Board of Directors established the Rural Administrator of the Year Award in 2012 to recognize a superintendent who has made significant contributions to his/her rural school district in the following areas:

- Positive impact on students and student achievement.

- Significant contributions to rural education.

- Demonstrated collaborative efforts in the community.

- Innovative leadership efforts to strengthen and preserve rural school districts.

There are 421 school districts in the state and 70% of them identify as rural.

Mr. Wainwright will formally receive his recognition at the WiRSA Conference in Stevens Point in October.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Wisconsin Rural School Superintendent of the Year award,” said Wainwright. “This is truly a reflection of the dedicated educators, staff, students, and families that make Mineral Point a very special place. Great schools grow out of great communities, and Mineral Point certainly represents that effort. My greatest fortune comes from working with so many outstanding people who care deeply about providing opportunities for every student. I would also like to thank WiRSA for supporting the efforts of rural schools throughout the state and providing a voice for all of us working to create a bright future for our students!”

Please join us in congratulating and thanking Mitch for all he does to make #PointerNation a great place to be!

Get your parade entries ready to show off your Pointer Pride! This year’s Homecoming Parade will be Thursday, September 25 at 6:15 pm. Anyone may enter a unit in the parade by signing up at this link.

Entries should be in no later than Thursday, September 18 to allow enough time to distribute the parade line-up to all involved. The parade order will be made public on the parade day, as last-minute changes occur.

Floats may be pulled by car or truck, and the driver must have a valid WI driver’s license. No three or four-wheelers will be allowed in the parade, and we ask that you refrain from throwing candy as it creates a hazardous situation for youngsters. Class floats can have 6-8 students riding, and drivers of floats must have a valid regular driver's license (19 years old and older). Written permission from the vehicle owner must be registered with the High School Office a week before the parade. Driver's proof of insurance must be turned into the high school office a week before the parade, or your entry will not be allowed to participate.

Line-up will begin between 5:30 and 6:00 pm in front of the Mineral Point Care Center. Please look for the person in the bright fluorescent vest to help you. At 6:15 pm the parade will proceed down High Street.

The theme this year is “Adventure is Here!” and the Beloit Turner Trojans will be the opposing team. The Spirit Rally, and crowning of the King & Queen, will begin immediately following the parade at the football field. The Homecoming Football Game will be Friday, September 26 at 7:00 pm with the Dance Saturday, September 27.

If you have questions about the parade, please email Mr. Matt Nevers at matt.nevers@mp.k12.wi.us.

Thank you to all Pointer families who submitted their First Day of School photos -- we hope the new year is off to a great start! Check out the photo album at this link.

A big congrats to Marsha Kjelland and Sandy Weitzel who have been named this year's Homecoming Parade Marshals!

A well-deserved honor for these Class of 1974 ladies who have given decades of service to #PointerNation schools.

Join us Thursday, September 25 for the parade at 6:15 pm down High Street to celebrate.

In the morning, 1st graders start by getting to choose their activities and who they work with. This gives them a start to their day that builds friendships and a time to make a gradual transition from home to school!

The elementary library is buzzing once again with reader excitement!

In their 3rd Grade Era! Students are having a great time building community and getting to know each other.

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

― Fred Rogers

A reminder to get your reservations in by September 10! Join in on a #PointerNation Homecoming tradition! Any graduates from 50 years ago or more are welcome.

The annual Fabulous 50s pasty luncheon will be held Friday, September 26 at Noon at the United Church of Christ (300 Maiden St).

Cost is $15 per person. Payment due by September 10. Checks can be made out to MP Alumni and sent to Sandy Weitzel, 217 Mineral St., Mineral Point, WI 53565

(In the memo section, please put what class you are a member of)

Let's have a fun afternoon of reminiscing!

Class of 1975 -- it's your turn to celebrate! A few reminders as your 50th Class Reunion approaches:

- Thursday, September 25: ride on float in Homecoming Parade (parade starts at 6:15 pm) -- wear your MP apparel! (Spirit Rally to follow at football field)

- Friday, September 26: Fabulous 50s Pasty Luncheon at UCC Church 12 pm

- Friday, September 26: Homecoming Football game 7 pm

- Saturday, September 27: 9 am golf outing at Dodge Point Country Club

- Saturday, September 27: 2 pm social gathering at Dodge Point Country Club

If you haven't already, please send:

-- $15 per person to Sandy Weitzel for the pasty luncheon at 217 Mineral St, Mineral Point by September 10. Please make your check out to MP Alumni.

-- $15 per person to Tom Poad for the Class Reunion Social at 4274 Weidenfeller Rd, Mineral Point by September 12. Please make your check out to Dodge Point Country Club.

-- Please also text or call Tom at 608-445-9639 if you plan to golf

Also, don't forget to follow your classmates on Facebook in their group at this link.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Kudos to our #PointerNation Volleyball Team for starting out the season ranked 8th in the Division 3 State Rankings this week! Read more at this link.

Kudos to our Dodge-Point Boys Cross Country Team for starting out the season ranked 15th in the Division 2 State Rankings this week! Read more at this link.

A rare event! #PointerNation will host a boys soccer game this Tuesday, September 9! We are excited to welcome our Dodge-Point team as Lake Mills comes to town. Venture out to Ron Murphy Field and join us for a 5 pm JV start, with Varsity to follow. If you can't make it, there will be a planned livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

Say cheese, #PointerNation! A reminder it's Picture Day Thursday, September 18 during the school day! Families will be receiving an email from Empire Photography with more information. Please contact customerservice@empirephotos.com with any questions. Purchasing pictures is not required, but all students will have photos taken for ID purposes. Retakes are set for Tuesday, October 14.

Mark your calendar for Homecoming 2025! The football game is set for the evening of Friday, September 26 vs. the Beloit Turner Trojans. Please join us for the entire week's festivities celebrating our Pointer pride! More info to come in the following weeks.

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 had at least one winner seven of the last nine years, which is incredible — it all starts with a nomination!

The deadline for nomination is Friday, October 3 for principal awards and Tuesday, November 11 for teacher awards. Read more at this link.

Plan ahead for the District Free Book Fair! Do you have gently used children's books that need a new reader? Are you looking for new books for your home? We are hosting a book exchange/free book fair October 29! Start digging through your libraries now and be prepared to donate beginning October 20.

Alumni Alert! Emily Graber was crowned 2026 Iowa County Fairest of the Fair last week, succeeding this year's Fairest McKenna Niemeier! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll do in your new role, Emily. Here’s to a year of inspiration and making memories that last a lifetime!

This week's Throwback Thursday #TBT features this year's Seniors when they were Kindergartners in 2013-14! Where does the time go? Some friends from this group have left us since then, and we've gained some more -- wishing the Class of 2026 a great last year in #PointerNation!

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

Monday, September 8
- Regular School Board meeting 6 pm: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/2067
- JV Football vs. Darlington 5 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers
- JV Volleyball at Barneveld 5:30 pm

Tuesday, September 9
- Boys Soccer vs. Lake Mills in MP (JV 5 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers
- MS Volleyball vs. Cuba City 4 pm

Wednesday, September 10
- Early Release 2 pm (Every Wednesday)

Thursday, September 11
- Boys Soccer vs. Richland Center/Ithaca (JV 5 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wi/dodgeville/organization/20161/dodgeville-high-school
- Volleyball at Boscobel (JV 5:30 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/wi/boscobel/organization/19663/boscobel-high-school/
- MS Football vs. Riverdale 5 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers
- MS Volleyball at Iowa-Grant 4 pm

Friday, September 12
- Varsity Football vs. Cuba City 7 pm. Radio: 93.7 fm and 106.1 fm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers and https://www.youtube.com/@queenbradiosports
- Varsity Volleyball at Wisconsin Dells (JustAGame Fieldhouse) 3 pm

Saturday, September 13
- Cross Country at River Valley 8:30 am
- Varsity Volleyball at Wisconsin Dells (JustAGame Fieldhouse) 8 am
- MS Cross Country at River Valley 11 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