#PointerNation News

#PointerNation Homecoming is set for the week of October 7 - October 12 and this year's theme is "Always Putting on a Show!" A big congrats to our court members!

-- Senior Queen Candidates: Izzy Dannenberg, Ella Kroll, Laci Lindsey

-- Senior King Candidates: Roen Carey, Matthew Goninen, Eli Lindsey

-- Freshman Representatives: Tenleigh Bockhop, Cambrey Carey

-- Sophomore Representatives: Ava Ingwell, Bree Swenson

-- Junior Representatives: Addie Burris, Maddie Nodolf

-- Senior Representatives: Eliza Ingwell, Annie Robinson

-- Senior Boys: Reid Acherman, Matthew Aurit, Tucker Dannenberg, Colton Dochnahl, Nolen Fox, Cole Hentrich, Ethan Hook, Gavin Houtakker, Alan James, Brody Miller, Jacob Phillips.

Get your parade entries ready! This year’s Homecoming Parade will be Thursday, October 10 at 6:15 pm. Anyone may enter a unit in the parade by signing up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0949A9AA23AAFC1-51454070-mphs#/

Entries should be in no later than Thursday, October 3 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 in the parade.

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 “Always Putting on a Show!” and the Benton/Scales Mound/Shullsburg Knights 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, October 11 at 7:00 pm with the Dance Saturday, October 12.

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

5th graders from Iowa County schools attended Safety Day at the Fairgrounds this past Thursday! Students rotated through nine sessions to learn about the safety and dangers of UTV/ATVs and boats, tick safety, weather safety, animal safety, the importance of the Tech Rescue Team, got to see Medflight land and up close, saw the canine unit put on a presentation, and heard from Kyle Thompson a farm accident survivor! They also had a presentation from Alliant Energy on the dangers of down lines.

It was an amazing day -- thanks to everyone who made it possible!

5th Graders have been working on community service and designed posters to help out the annual Mineral Point Community Chest for their yearly donation campaign. Look for them in businesses around town!

Our first Students of the Month for the 2024-25 school year were honored Tuesday at the Mineral Point Kiwanis meeting -- a big congrats to Matthew Goninen and Taitin Riley! Read more about these star Seniors here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/09/goninen-riley-are-students-of-the-month/

(Matthew's photo taken by Madisyn Heim; Taitin's photo taken by Ann Gorgen)

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!

#PointerNation's Ellie Robinson has committed to NCAA Division 1 South Dakota State to continue her academic and athletic career! Some accolades for Ellie include:

CROSS COUNTRY

-- 2021: WIAA State Team Champion, 4th Place State Individual, 1st Place Sectional Team, 2nd Place Sectional Individual, 1st Place Conference Team, 1st Place Conference Individual, 1st Team All-State

-- 2022: WIAA State Team Runner-Up, 3rd Place State Individual, 1st Place Sectional Team, 2nd Place Sectional Individual, 1st Place Conference Team, 1st Place Conference Individual, 1st Team All-State

-- 2023: WIAA State Team 4th Place, 8th Place State Individual, 1st Place Sectional Team, 1st Place Sectional Individual, 1st Place Conference Team, 1st Place Conference Individual, 1st Team All-State

TRACK & FIELD

-- 2022: WIAA State 4x800 (4th Place), 3200 (8th Place), 1600 (11th Place), Sectional Champion: 4x800, 1600 & 3200, Regional Champion: 4x800, 1600 & 3200, Conference Champion: 1600 & 3200

-- 2023: WIAA State 4x800 (4th Place), 3200 (8th Place), 1600 (8th Place), Sectional Champion: 4x800, 1600 & 3200, Regional Champion: 4x800, 1600 & 3200, Conference Champion: 4x800, 1600 & 3200

-- 2024: WIAA State 4x800 (4th Place), 3200 (6th Place), 1600 (6th Place), Sectional Champion: 4x800, 1600 & 3200, Regional Champion: 4x800, 1600 & 3200, Conference Champion: 4x800, 1600 & 3200

Congrats and best wishes, Ellie!

#PointerNation's Annie Robinson has also committed to NCAA Division 1 South Dakota State to continue her academic and athletic career alongside her twin sister, Ellie! Some accolades for Annie include:

CROSS COUNTRY

-- 2021: WIAA State Team Champion, 7th Place State Individual, 1st Place Sectional Team, 3rd Place Sectional Individual, 1st Place Conference Team, 2nd Place Conference Individual, 2nd Team All-State

-- 2022: WIAA State Team Runner-Up, 12th Place State Individual, 1st Place Sectional Team, 1st Place Conference Team, 2nd Place Conference Individual

-- 2023: WIAA State Team 4th Place, 10th Place State Individual, 1st Place Sectional Team, 2nd Place Sectional Individual, 1st Place Conference Team, 2nd Place Conference Individual, 2nd Team All-State

TRACK & FIELD

-- 2022: WIAA State 4x800 (4th Place), 800 (12th Place), 1600 (12th Place), Sectional Champion: 4x800, Sectional 2nd Place: 1600, Sectional 4th Place: 800, Regional Champion: 4x800 & 800, Regional 2nd Place: 1600, Conference Champion: 800

-- 2023: WIAA State 4x800 (4th Place), 800 (11th Place), 1600 (15th Place), Sectional Champion: 4x800, Sectional 3rd Place: 1600, Sectional 4th Place: 800, Regional Champion: 4x800, Regional 2nd Place: 800 & 1600, Conference Champion: 4x800

-- 2024: WIAA State 4x800 (4th Place), 3200 (10th Place), 1600 (11th Place), Sectional Champion: 4x800, Sectional 3rd Place: 1600 & 3200, Regional Champion: 4x800, Regional 2nd Place: 1600 & 3200, Conference Champion: 4x800

Congrats and best wishes, Annie!

Kindergarten students met Zippy Zero the Superhero! Zippy LOVES the number 0 and will visit them each day that ends in 0 until the 100th day! (Zippy looks suspiciously like Superintendent Wainwright...)

Is there any better way to study fractions than with pizza?! Our 5th graders have been learning all about fractions and using various methods to help them.

EC & 4K read about Elephant and Piggie sharing their ice cream. Then they shared their “ice cream” too! Everyone wanted ice cream for snack time after this activity!

1st graders harvested potatoes from the school garden! In a few weeks, we will have French fries with our school lunch made from our very own potatoes!

Last week, 1st graders "traveled" to Northern Wisconsin to talk about harvesting cranberries! They got to try craisins and cranberry juice.

Family Feud alert! The principal Austin brothers had another friendly wager this fall with the victor to wear the opposing school colors -- the Redbirds edged the Pointers on the gridiron this fall and #PointerNation won the first volleyball match vs. the Redbirds. Thanks for being good sports, gentlemen!

Collaboration is such an important part of our learning in the library! We are better together!

Paws-itively excellent! Dawson Pete ran a lemonade stand Labor Day weekend to raise money for two different organizations. She chose to help #PointerNation families with outstanding school lunch balances as one of her charities. Thanks for being so thoughtful!

We are so grateful to be part of such a supportive community! Thank you to Little Elk Art Collective for their incredibly kind donation to student lunch debt.

Band, horns up! Let's hear it for our Marching Pointers! They put in hours of hard work to prepare halftime entertainment. If you missed their performance Friday night of dancing classics, make sure to check them out this Friday during the home game vs. Lena/Winslow. They rock! Check out more photos here: https://www.facebook.com/MineralPointSchoolDistrict/posts/pfbid027YPX1FQJueRooJ3hbktamj4FowPWyxrikXUoRqcL5ES4pzJJUKtbeBk1F4bY7gS3l

The Mineral Point Unified School District is known for its successful robust academic and co-curricular programs, the incredible opportunities we offer to students throughout their time in our schools, and talented staff members.

In collaboration with a supportive community, the Mineral Point Unified School District has a proud tradition of providing high-quality levels of education for all students.

Unfortunately, state funding has not kept pace with increasing inflation. Six of the last 10 years, schools received $0 increase in aid. In order to stabilize funding to help ensure a promising future for all students, the District is asking local voters for an operating levy increase that will help maintain high levels of programming.

Without a referendum, our operational budget will not be able to maintain our current programs and services.

District officials made it a priority to keep the public informed about the needs prompting an operating referendum. Please read more about the upcoming November 5 referendum at this website: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024-referendum/

The District held a Community Information Meeting last week. Thanks to those who attended. Video of the meeting can be found at this link: https://youtu.be/Cyi9BXBIqDg

Any questions, please contact Superintendent Mitch Wainwright at 608-987-0740 or mitch.wainwright@mp.k12.wi.us

The District wants you to have the information you need to make an informed vote in November. Thank you for your engagement.

We'd love to have you join our sub pool! There will be a Substitute Teacher Training (put on by CESA 3) held right here in Mineral Point at the elementary school beginning at 8 am Wednesday, September 25. (Normally, someone would need to go to Fennimore for this training.)

This training is one of the requirements for a sub license in Wisconsin (including the minimum of an associate's degree). No need to pre-register. The cost is $100 payable by check or cash the day of the training. Any questions please contact angie.schubert@mp.k12.wi.us or 608-987-0740.

Come support our students traveling to Cornwall this spring and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast sponsored by the Odd Fellows Saturday, September 28 from 7:30-10 am at their lodge on Front Street. Our students will be helping to serve!

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 eight years, which is incredible — it all starts with a nomination!

The deadline for nomination is Thursday, October 3 for principal awards and Tuesday, November 12 for teacher awards. Read more: https://mineralpointschools.org/2024/09/kohl-nominations-sought-7/

Please plan to support our Mineral Point FFA Chapter Donation Auction at the fairgrounds Sunday, October 6! The auction will begin at 9:30 am. Many wonderful products have been donated by generous businesses and individuals. Thanks for your support!

Our 5th graders are selling Bucky Books to fundraise for their spring teambuilding field trip!

Bucky Book coupons are valid up to October next year and make great holiday gifts with something for everyone, up to 50% off at 300 businesses.

At the end of the school year, 5th graders go to Four Mounds in Dubuque for their ropes courses and is a great way to work on teambuilding and camaraderie.

If you are interesting in ordering, the cost is $35 per book. Please reach out to any 5th grade teacher by October 10:

- Laurie Heimsoth at laurie.heimsoth@mp.k12.wi.us

- Chloe Muhlstein at chloe.muhlstein@mp.k12.wi.us

- Jessie Sigg at jessie.sigg@mp.k12.wi.us

Thank you for your support!

Pointer Families --

On Tuesday, October 15 from 5-7 pm, your child (in all grade levels) has the opportunity to take place in the Mineral Point Science Night! He/she can explore a topic they are interested in and create a project that shows what was learned from their research and/or experimentation! Students have received a packet that can help walk them through steps to be successful with their project. This will have to be done outside of school time or during a study hall and materials are not provided from the school. If your child plans to do this optional project, our hope is that they will be able to attend the Science Night to show off their work and answer any questions they may get from attendees. We hope you will attend too! If you or your child has any questions, please let Mrs. Uppena, Mrs. Brown, or Mrs. McCoy know! We are looking forward to a fun Science Night!

Due Dates for your child:

• -- Fill in the participation form in Science Google Classroom by Tuesday, October 1: https://forms.gle/AdyvyTGsm6wW73zR8

• -- Check-in with Mrs. Uppena, Mrs. McCoy, and Mrs. Brown on how the project is going by Friday, October 4

• -- Final Product/Presentation ready by Monday, October 14

• -- Attend Science Night from 5-7 pm to show off the project on Tuesday, October 15

-Mrs. Uppena, Mrs. McCoy, and Mrs. Brown

micki.uppena@mp.k12.wi.us

kris.mccoy@mp.k12.wi.us

mckenzy.brown@mp.k12.wi.us

Alumni Alert! Congrats to Libby Dunn who has auditioned and was accepted to be part of the Notre Dame Band of the Fighting Irish as a piccolo player! Libby is a Freshman at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. Go Irish!

Having a class reunion this summer or fall? Send joelle.doye@mp.k12.wi.us your photos to share with #PointerNation!

We know #PointerNation loves a good voting challenge and we have a fun one for you! Which high school football team in Southwest Wisconsin (or their predecessor schools) has (or had) the best mascot? Vote for your favorite high school football mascots during the Papa Murphy’s of Platteville & Prairie du Chien 2024 High School Football Mascot Challenge! The winning team will receive a pizza party courtesy of Papa Murphy’s of Platteville & Prairie du Chien!

-- First Round voting will take place September 19 - September 24. In Round 1, the Mineral Point Pointers are battling the New Diggings Midgets. You can vote here: https://www.wglr.com/win/mascot-challenge/

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

Monday, September 23

-- JV Football at Belleville 5 pm

-- MS Cross Country at Prairie du Chien 4:30 pm

Tuesday, September 24

-- Boys Soccer vs. Sugar River (Varsity 5 pm, JV to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@DodgevilleSchoolDistrict

-- Volleyball at Cuba City (Freshmen 4:15 pm, JV & Varsity to follow). Radio: 97.7 fm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@queenbradiosports and https://www.youtube.com/@ccsdstreaming2119

-- MS Volleyball at River Valley 4 pm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@rivervalleyschooldistrict-249

Wednesday, September 25

-- Early Release 2 pm (every Wednesday)

Thursday, September 26

-- Boys Soccer at Richland Center (JV 5:45 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@richlandschooldistrict213

-- MS Cross Country at Dodgeville (Harris Park) 4:30 pm

Friday, September 27

-- CANCELED: Varsity Football vs. Lena/Winslow, IL

Saturday, September 28

-- Cross Country at Janesville 9 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