#PointerNation News

1st graders can't wait for snow! That's because they have new snowshoes thanks to a generous donation! Christina Weitzel of True Action Realty donated some of the proceeds from a house she recently sold to the 1st graders so they could purchase snowshoes for outside learning! Ironically, the proceeds came from a house sold to Leah McDonald and family -- both Christina and Leah have 1st grade children. Excitement is building and we can't wait for our students to be able to venture outside to use their new snowshoes! Thank you!

Students are excited to perform the high school musical theatre’s production of “The Drowsy Chaperone!”

The show is set for Friday and Saturday, December 9 & 10 at 7 pm, and Sunday, December 11 at 1:30 pm, at the Mineral Point Opera House.

Read more: https://mineralpointschools.org/2022/11/musical-cast-crew-prepare-for-the-drowsy-chaperone/

A big congratulations and sincere thank you to Cooper Schaaf! Drill Sergeant Thies, also a recruiter for the Wisconsin Army National Guard out of Platteville, visited Mineral Point High School to congratulate Cooper for recently joining the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Thank you for your selfless service to our community, state, and country!

Kudos to Lucas Sullivan who picked up his 100th career win on the mat Saturday at Watertown! What a fantastic milestone! Winning championships at the tournament were: Roen Carey, Carson Kroll, Lucas Sullivan, Tarrin Riley, Mac Busser, Dealya Collins, and Kylie Rule. Great job!

WisSports.net is proud to showcase the Wisconsin Sports Network High School Basketball Awards -- congratulations to Kennedy Wenger for being named to the Pre-Season Post Watch List!

These awards are presented annually to deserving senior student-athletes selected to represent one of five categories: point guard, wing, post, defense, and shooter.

Those lists will be trimmed to 15 semi-finalists for each position halfway through the year, with five finalists to be selected at the outset of the playoffs. WSN staff will review the finalists and select a winner for each award, with an announcement made the week of the state basketball finals.

Read more: https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1249678

Congratulations to #PointerNation for earning three more Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) Spectrum Awards at the annual Fall Conference November 17 in Elkhart Lake!

Awards of Excellence

-- #PointerNation News (Newsletter)

-- Scholarship Spotlights (Social Media Campaign)

Award of Merit

-- Ornaments of Thanks (Special Purpose Publication/Project), a joint effort with the Mineral Point Community and Excellence in Education Endowment Funds

"It is an honor to work in school communication and share positive stories of our amazing students and staff. Congratulations to all who helped the District once again be spotlighted on the state level for our incredible efforts," said Joelle Doye, Mineral Point Communications Director and WSPRA President.

Read more: https://mineralpointschools.org/2022/12/district-earns-three-wspra-spectrum-awards-for-communication/

The Iowa County Clean, Local Energy Alliance – Now (CLEA-N) sponsored an essay contest for Iowa County high school students as part of its Clean Energy Transition Essay Contest. The contest awards cash prizes to students whose essays are judged to be one of the top three essays submitted from their respective schools. Let's have a big congrats for our #PointerNation winners, pictured left to right: Brady Haas (2nd place winner of $125), Landyn Moellers (1st place winner of $250), and Aiden Wantroba (3rd place winner of $75). Great job, all!

Last week, 4K students started their next theme of “stores.” They built a grocery store! Before they go shopping, they have to make a list. They are such great role players!

It was the most beautiful night of the year in Mineral Point Saturday! Friday, our accounting class went to the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce to set up their FBLA Holiday Store and make luminaries for candlelight shopping!

6-8th grade music students attended the Fall Youth Concert performed by the Madison Symphony Orchestra and student concerto winner at Overture Center for the Arts!

Kudos to our #PointerNation Girls Basketball team which clocks in at #9 in WisSports.net's Week 1 Division 4 state rankings! Read more: https://www.wissports.net/page/show/7643524-week-1

We are like pieces of a puzzle -- each piece is special; each piece is important; each piece is needed to create a beautiful picture!

Mrs. Ross' 4th graders spotlighted Bargain Nook in their holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Mrs. Gorgen's 2nd graders spotlighted Little Wolf Farm in their holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Let's give a big #PointerNation welcome (back) to Maddie Flanders, our new Long-Term Substitute for 2nd and 5th Grade!

-- High school graduated from: Monona Grove

-- College & Field of Study: UW-Platteville (Health and Human Performance with an emphasis in Physical Education and Health)

-- Family: parents, Dan and Sandy, and my twin sister, Peyton.

-- Hobbies/Free time interests: In my free time I love to be outside hiking, running, or spending time with friends.

-- What impresses you about Mineral Point Schools?: The amazing and supportive community of staff and students in the Mineral Point Schools truly impresses me.

Thank you to those who attended the #PointerNation and Dodgeville Boys Basketball game Tuesday night -- we were able to donate $300 to the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association's #WADAWishWeek for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin! If you couldn't make it Tuesday night, you can scan the QR code in the graphic or donate at: bit.ly/3XETPTV

The MP Student Store/Skills USA will be making candles for the holiday season! If you are interested in ordering, please check out the form: MP Student Store Order Form (google.com)

You can contact Mr. Kyle Carey with questions at kyle.carey@mp.k12.wi.us

Mineral Point FBLA is sponsoring the Holiday Giving Tree to share holiday blessings with area families.

Here’s how you can help:
1. Click the link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4FA8AE28A5FE3-holiday2
2. “Pick a tag from the tree” by reviewing available slots and clicking on the button to sign up.
3. Go shopping and purchase the gift item.
4. Drop off the unwrapped gift item in the High School office gift collection box by Friday, December 9th.

Donated gift items will be delivered to Southwest Wisconsin Community Action Program office in Dodgeville which serves communities in southwestern Wisconsin. Please help area children and share in the joy of the holiday season! Thank you for your generosity!

The Mineral Point Excellence in Education Endowment Fund will be hosting a Snack Drive at our Winter Concerts!

Why a Snack Drive? Our students get hungry between breakfast and lunch. Many have the resources to bring their own snacks. However, for others this is a challenge. Having additional snacks on hand helps to support our students with meeting their basic needs so they are more available for learning throughout the day.

Not sure what to donate? Some great snack choices include:

• Individually packed non-perishable items such as:

• Granola bars

• Applesauce pouches

• Crackers (plain, cheesy, and peanut butter sandwiches)

• Fruit snacks

• Trail mix

Please bring donations to the following events when you join us to celebrate the sounds of the season:

-- Middle/High School Concert: Monday, December 12 at 7 pm

-- Elementary Concert: Wednesday, December 21 at 12:30 pm

Both concerts will be held in the middle/high school gym.

If you are unable to attend these events, but would like to help, snacks can be dropped off with attention to:

-- Katelyn Oellerich (School Psychologist) located at the Elementary (611 Cothern St)

-- Dani Robb (Social/Emotional Learning Coach) located at the Middle/High (705 Ross St)

Thank you for your support!

Mark your calendar for the fourth annual Mineral Point Basketball Hall of Fame induction Saturday, December 17! Kudos to our inductees -- Joe Bolan, Parker Doney, Amy Edge, Sam Graber, Brian Murphy, Cari Schaaf, and Tom Speich. Read more here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2022/04/fourth-basketball-hall-of-fame-class-selected/

Mineral Point Wrestling will induct its 2022-23 honorees to the Allen E. Bauman Wrestling Hall of Fame Friday, December 23 at the home match vs. Lodi. Congrats to Nate Chambers and Bill & Chris Mester! Also recognized will be 2021-22 inductees Donald and Carole Wasley. Please come and join in the celebration!

Mineral Point Elementary is searching for a part time Instructional Assistant. Come join the great place that is #PointerNation! Application link: https://wecan.waspa.org/Vacancy/159379

Our middle/high school has an immediate opening for a substitute custodian during the day shift. Come join the great place that is #PointerNation! Contact Dave DeVoe, Maintenance Director, at dave.devoe@mp.k12.wi.us or 608-987-0740 if interested.

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

Monday, December 5

-- JV2 Boys Basketball vs. Barneveld 7:30 pm

Tuesday, December 6

-- Girls Basketball vs. Platteville (JV 6 pm, Varsity to follow). Radio: 97.7 fm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

-- Boys Basketball at River Valley (JV 6 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@rivervalleyschooldistrict-249

-- MS Boys Basketball vs. River Valley 4 pm (8th grade at high school, 7th grade at elementary)

Wednesday, December 7

-- Early release 2 pm (every Wednesday)

Thursday, December 8

-- Girls Basketball vs. Darlington (JV 6 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

-- MS Boys Basketball at Cuba City 4 pm

Friday, December 9

-- HS Musical at Opera House 7 pm. Tickets at MPHS front office, Berget Jewelers, MP Opera House box office, and online: https://mineralpointoperahouse.org/events/event/3835/

-- Boys Basketball vs. Iowa-Grant (JV 6 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@mptvpointers

Saturday, December 10

-- HS Musical at Opera House 7 pm. Tickets at MPHS front office, Berget Jewelers, MP Opera House box office, and online: https://mineralpointoperahouse.org/events/event/3835/

-- Boys Varsity Wrestling at Wisconsin Dells Woodside Dome 8 am

-- Girls Varsity Wrestling at Waunakee 9:45 am

Sunday, December 11

-- HS Musical at Opera House 1:30 pm. Tickets at MPHS front office, Berget Jewelers, MP Opera House box office, and online: https://mineralpointoperahouse.org/events/event/3835/

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.

Est. 1829

"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