Blogs
Year-End Reflection: The Challenge of Change
I have had the honor of observing our current 5th grade students become the individuals they are today since 3rd grade. This is one of the many perks of being a principal: having a schoolwide view of our kids as they progress through the years. As a former 5th and 6th grade teacher myself, I… Continue Reading Year-End Reflection: The Challenge of Change
Thanks for a Great Year
by Mitch Wainwright Where has the school year gone? It seems like yesterday when it was August and the teachers were coming back to school. Now, it is the last day of school for all students and staff. How is that possible? There have been so many things that have happened this year, and I… Continue Reading Thanks for a Great Year
Elementary School Renovation: Six Design Strategies for Modern Learning Spaces
Later this May, professionals from HSR Design (our architecture firm) will be available during the school day to take questions and collect feedback from staff about the building renovation. Time is yet to be determined, but they should be available long enough for everyone to have an opportunity to speak with them. As educators, we… Continue Reading Elementary School Renovation: Six Design Strategies for Modern Learning Spaces
“When do we start building?”
by Superintendent Mitch Wainwright “When do we start building?” I think I have been asked that question a hundred times. The dust has settled and the smoke has cleared now that the April referendum question has been decided. So, what happens next? As was mentioned during all the meetings this spring, we will work with… Continue Reading “When do we start building?”
Competition and Education
My wife and I attended our first track meet of the year last night. The rain and overall cruddy weather did not sway the student athletes and coaches from completing the events. Our son participated in a team relay, high jump, and shot put. Tomorrow, our daughter will be playing soccer. Another sports seasons has… Continue Reading Competition and Education
Elementary School Renovation: Preparing for a Modern Learning Environment
Over spring break I finally finished my office/writing space. It is located on our first floor in a corner off of the kitchen. I found a long, thin table at a local shop and put up book shelves next to it. All of our resources are now nicely organized and not strewn out across the… Continue Reading Elementary School Renovation: Preparing for a Modern Learning Environment
Thankful
by Mitch Wainwright I am thankful that I have the privilege to live in this community, and work for this school district. While I am not a native of Mineral Point, I have lived here for over half of my life. I have come to know that this community is open to a wide range… Continue Reading Thankful
Beyond the Standards
I was in a 1st grade classroom conducting an instructional walk. The students were quietly working on their informative writing projects. They had researched a topic of choice, using strategies to read nonfiction texts. Now they were using their notes they had taken and were applying them to a writing project. I sat next to… Continue Reading Beyond the Standards
Vote for the Position that Best Represents Your Needs
by Mitch Wainwright Dictionary.com defines a referendum as, “the principle or practice of referring measures proposed or passed by a legislative body, head of state, etc., to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection.” The taxpayers of Mineral Point are very familiar that a referendum can impact their property tax rates. Most often… Continue Reading Vote for the Position that Best Represents Your Needs
Elementary School Book Swap
If there is one thing about buying books for my kids that is challenging, it might be how quickly they read them and then they are looking for the next one. Their rooms (and our home) have stacks of titles in many places. A few they will reread, yet many could find a new reader. If… Continue Reading Elementary School Book Swap