#PointerNation News

Heartfelt congratulations to Russ Kitsemble (Class of 1969) and Jerry Olson (MP's 1st Wrestling Coach) inducted Friday night into the #PointerNation Al Bauman Wrestling Hall of Fame! Read more on the honorees here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2023/12/kitsemble-olson-inducted-into-bauman-hall-of-fame/

Students helped make decorations for the Snowball Express, the annual program that takes Gold Star Family members of fallen military service members to Disney World! MP's own Teresa MacGilvra was an attendant on the flight. A part of the Gary Sinise Foundation, the program is designed to honor surviving family members and encourage them “to make new memories and provide opportunities to connect with others who know what they’ve been through.”

Our December Students of the Month for the 2023-24 school year were honored Tuesday at a Mineral Point Kiwanis meeting -- a big congrats to Malea Aschliman and Bryce Vamstad! Read more about these star Seniors here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2023/12/aschliman-vamstad-are-students-of-the-month/

On Friday, the 7th graders participated in a holiday book tasting. What a great way to wrap up the week!

3rd graders have packed their bags and received their passports! They'll be spending the month of December learning about holidays, cultures, and traditions all around the world.

Do you have your Letters to Santa ready?! Our 4K students are excited!

It's that time of year again! The 2nd grade elves have been very busy preparing for the MPES Holiday Store, which allows students the opportunity to purchase their own gifts for loved ones. All gifts will only cost one dollar! Mrs. Radtke's class has prepared some delicious "Snowman Soup" hot cocoa to sell at the store. Let us know if you'd like a sip!

A big thank you to Baylor’s grandma, Sue, for teaching 1st graders about their family’s special Hanukkah traditions!

Kindergarten made their very own gingerbread man! They were so excited to come back and eat it after recess, but never got the chance! He ran away leaving us a note. They have looked all over for him and had no luck! If you see him please make sure to let Mrs. Doney know!

'Tis the season! Superintendent Mitch Wainwright enjoyed the annual tradition of looking through the artwork of elementary students to select his favorites to be featured on staff holiday cards and online!

Mrs. McGuire's Kindergarten students will be spotlighting Berget Jewelers in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Ms. Singer's 3rd graders will be spotlighting Mike Wagner, Broker Associate, First Weber Inc. in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed a recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

Mrs. Sigg's 5th graders will be spotlighting The Station in their upcoming holiday ads! Students enjoyed their recent visit to learn more about their featured business.

BE PREPARED

As weather events occur, it is sometimes necessary to close our schools. We’ve compiled this information for you and your family to help prepare and plan.

WE TAKE THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS VERY SERIOUSLY

Student and staff safety is always our number one priority. The bus transportation director, and our school superintendent, jointly monitor weather, specifically when an event is approaching our area. Every effort is made to make and communicate a decision regarding possible school closure before 6:00 am based on the safety and timing of bus travel and the status of the weather events. Each weather event is unique, and the response may be different for different events.

GRADES EC-12

Students/Staff will not have virtual learning days on the first 32 inclement weather hours during the 2023-24 school year. Any additional hours beyond 32 may turn into virtual learning to ensure compliance with state instructional minute mandates. There may be some days when a 2 hour delay, or early dismissal, is necessary instead of a full day off.

* No buses will run on inclement weather days. They will run on 2 hour late starts and early dismissals.

* Pointer Kids Club will not operate on inclement weather days or weather early dismissals. It will open at 9 am on 2 hour late starts.

HOW WE WILL COMMUNICATE

We will communicate, as technology allows, through the following channels:

• District Website

• Facebook

• Family/Staff phone, email, and text (if enabled)

• Local media outlets

* Please check your Skyward Family Access account to ensure your contact information is accurate and that you are signed up for phone, text and/or email notifications.

It's time to be thinking of 2024 School Board candidates. Please read more details here on the April election and filing deadlines: https://mineralpointschools.org/2023/11/2024-school-board-election-information/

Fans of #PointerNation! Coming soon -- the Mineral Point Unified School District is pleased to announce that we will be offering GoFan for mobile ticketing for athletic events. Fans can purchase tickets online through our school’s GoFan page, the GoFan App, or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the game. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple Pay. TICKETS WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR CASH PURCHASE AT THE GATE, and previously purchased adult/student/senior passes will still be accepted. Please read more information here so you are ready when we implement digital ticketing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z7TR2q9ajIlv11K0LjxGl4blRQtFRNJt6YDWnU7KQzU/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any questions, please reach out to Athletic Director Chris Carr at chris.carr@mp.k12.wi.us

When you come out to the #PointerNation Boys Basketball game Saturday 12/9, and the Girls Basketball game Thursday 12/14, make sure to bring a new toy with you for the Odd Fellows' Toy Drive!

The Mineral Point Excellence in Education Endowment Fund is hosting a drive to help us fill our Care Cupboard! There is a need for these items in our schools:

-- Personal Hygiene products such as: deodorant, laundry detergent pods, tampons/pads.

-- Individually packed non-perishable snack items such as: granola bars, applesauce pouches, crackers (plain, cheesy, and peanut butter sandwiches), fruit snacks, trail mix.

-- Monetary donations

Items may be dropped off at the winter concerts or at either school office. Thank you!

Join the middle/high school choirs and bands for their Winter Concert Monday, December 11 at 7 pm in the middle/high school gym for some outstanding sounds of the season!

4K students have been busy working on their dance moves for their concerts coming up next week Thursday, December 14! Morning 4K will perform at 10 am and Afternoon 4K at 2 pm, both in the elementary gym.

Mineral Point High School Future Business Leaders of America are again sponsoring the Holiday Giving Tree to share holiday blessings with area families!

Here’s how you can help:

1. Pick a tag, or two, from the tree in the high school entrance

2. Go shopping and purchase the gift cards

3. Drop off the gift cards in the High School office by Monday, December 18

Please help area children and share in the joy of the holiday season! Thank you for your generosity!

Elementary K-5 students are getting excited to share their musical talents with you at their Winter Concert Wednesday, December 20 in the high school gym beginning at 1 pm!

There will be no classes in #PointerNation from Saturday, December 23 through Monday, January 1 due to Winter Break. School will resume Tuesday, January 2. Enjoy the time off!

Mark your calendar for the fifth annual Mineral Point Basketball Hall of Fame induction Saturday, January 6, 2024! Kudos to our inductees -- Raeann Bennett, Janet James, Liz Lawinger, Bret McGraw, Jim Pluemer, and John Schmit. Read more here: https://mineralpointschools.org/2023/04/fifth-basketball-hall-of-fame-class-selected/

#PointerNation Girls Basketball will be holding its annual Alumni Night Friday, January 12 during the game vs. Fennimore! The teams of 1974-75, 1977-78, 1987-88, 1997-98, 2007-08, and 2017-18 will be honored. Order shirts by 12/26: https://sportsworld.chipply.com/mpgbbalumni23/store.aspx

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

Monday, December 11

-- School Board meeting 5 pm (note early start time due to concert): https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/2067

-- Middle/High Winter Concert 7 pm in gym (Care Cupboard drive for snacks, personal hygiene items)

Tuesday, December 12

-- Boys Basketball at Boscobel (JV 6 pm, Varsity to follow). Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreBoscobel

Wednesday, December 13

-- Early release 2 pm (every Wednesday)

Thursday, December 14

-- 4K Winter Concert 10 am & 2 pm in elementary gym

-- Girls Basketball vs. Riverdale (JV 6 pm, Varsity to follow). (Odd Fellows Toy Drive). Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkK8qbOedyJlHnN89x527nw

Friday, December 15

-- Boys Basketball vs. Darlington (JV 6 pm, Varsity to follow). Radio: 93.7 fm and 97.7 fm. Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkK8qbOedyJlHnN89x527nw

-- JV & Varsity Wrestling at Darlington/Black Hawk (match is at Black Hawk) 6:30 pm. Livestream (subscription required): https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/black-hawk-high-school-south-wayne-wi

Saturday, December 16

-- Gymnastics at Prairie du Chien 10 am

-- Girls Wrestling at Alliant Energy Center in Madison 8 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.

Please see some updates from School Nurse Jayne Lindsey and contact her at jayne.lindsey@mp.k12.wi.us with any questions.

"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