It is a goal of the Mineral Point Elementary School staff to start our students off on the right foot. These first days of school are opportunities for all of us to set our kids up for success. The impressions we make and habits we build now are an investment in the rest of the school year.
Kindergarten students read a poem as a reminder of how to walk in the school.
Beyond the habits of successful students, teachers focus on the environment and arrangement of their learning spaces. The classroom climate and culture is sometimes referred to as “The Third Teacher“.
1st graders sit in a circle to get to know one another.
These 2nd graders have many options for reading locations.
While there is time needed to learn the routines, expectations, and resources available at school, these first days of schools are also a chance to start engaging in the curriculum. Time is one of our most precious resources. We strive to take advantage of every hour available to us.
3rd graders assess themselves in various skills during physical education.
A big part of creating the conditions for success for students is celebrating often. The first day or two can be nerve-wracking for both new and veteran students. Taking the time to recognize each other’s efforts helps create a positive culture.
4th graders pose for a group photo in recognition of their first day together.
Finally, teachers find that teaching students how to work together around important projects and challenges can lead to group success. Being a team player and learning how to work with others is an important skill for anyone’s future.
5th graders conduct collaborative research using multiple resources.
The success of each student hinges on the environment, experiences, and expectations from these first days of school. I can tell how grateful our community is for the efforts our teachers and staff put in to make this happen.
MATT RENWICK
PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
This is Matt’s seventeenth year in public education. He started as a 5th and 6th grade teacher in a country school outside of Wisconsin Rapids, WI. After seven years of teaching, Matt served as an assistant principal, athletic director, and building principal all in Wisconsin Rapids. Now as an elementary principal with the Mineral Point Unified School District, he continues to enjoy working with students, staff, and families in their collective pursuit of lifelong learning.