[In the Spotlight]    

Connor Madsen, a fifth-grade student at GMS, won the school-level competition of the 2012 National Geographic Bee, and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students in grades 5-7 answered oral questions on geography, was the first round of the 24th annual National Geographic Bee. Fifth grader, Alyson Sveeggen placed second and Cassidy Rehm finished third.

This year's Bee is sponsored by Google  www.google.com/educators/geo  

Grandview teacher Megan Lhotka and MWHS teacher Kristin Wallace were recognized as TIES Exceptional Teachers at the TIES 2011 Education Technology Conference at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency on Dec. 13. The two were among 83 teachers from 43 districts to be honored.

[TIES]

Food Services would like to remind parents and guardians that their children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.40 for lunch. "Reduced-price" breakfasts are served at no charge. To apply for free or reduced-price school meals, complete the Application for Educational Benefits. Families may apply for free or reduced meals at any time throughout the school year.*

[Free Lunch]

Several members of the MWHS Band shared the holiday spirit with youngsters at the Mound Head Start Center in December. Students who had prepared Christmas music to play at the MWHS choir concert put on an additional performance for the younger set.

[Musical Start]

Parents and their children who will be 5-years old by fall 2012 are invited to tour our award-winning schools, turn in their registration forms and take a ride on a school bus!

When:

Tues, Jan 17 at Shirley Hills, 4:00-5:30 or 6:00-7:30

Thurs, Jan 19 at Hilltop, 4:30-5:30 or 6:00-7:00

Where:

Shirley Hills, 2450 Wilshire Boulevard, Mound, 952.491.8400

Hilltop , 5700 Game Farm Road, Minnetrista, 952.491.8500

We look forward to seeing you!

[Round-Up]

Kristi Henkels, a fourth-grade teacher at Shirley Hills Primary School in the Westonka School District, has been selected as the Lord Fletcher's Feature Teacher for December. "Mrs. Henkels is a real technology wizard!" said Principal Ann Swanson. "She enjoys finding new innovative and exciting ways to teach the curriculum to the students. We are proud to have her on TEAM Shirley Hills."

[More Feature on the Teacher]

Westonka in the News

December of Dancing!--

Hawkettes Fired Up--
Take Another First-Place Win in Jazz   

New Year Starts Off with Bang--
Boys Hockey Games against Litchfield & Delano   

Westonka Girls Stay Unbeaten in Conference Play--

Friday, January 13

Wrestling Invitational at Minnetonka, 5:00

Gymnastics at Annandale, 6:00

Saturday, January 14

Boys Swim & Dive at Watertown-Mayer, TBD

Dance Team Conference Tournament at Orono, 1:00

Boys Basketball vs. Big Lake, MWHS, 3:00

Boys Hockey at Delano-Rockford, 7:00

Monday, January 16

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday observed

No School

Nordic Ski, Burl Oaks Golf Club, TBD

Tuesday, January 17

Nordic Ski at Baker National, 3:45

Shirley Hills Kindergarten Round-Up, 4:00-5:30 or 6:00-7:30

Boys Swim & Dive at Buffalo, 6:00

Girls Hockey at Hutchinson, 7:00

Boys Hockey vs. Hutchinson, MWHS Arena, 7:00

Girls Basketball vs. Delano, MWHS gym, 7:30

Boys Basketball at Delano, 7:00

Thursday, January 19

Hilltop Kindergarten Round-Up, 4:30-5:30 or 6:00-7:00

Wrestling at Buffalo, 5:00

Girls Basketball at Annandale, 7:30

Boys Basketball vs. Annandale, MWHS gym, 7:30

Friday, January 20

Alpine Ski at Mankato West, TBD

Wrestling vs. Waconia at MWHS gym, 5:00

Gymnastics Triangular at Glencoe-Silver Lake, 6:00

Wrestling vs. Dassel-Cokato, MWHS gym, 6:30

Wrestling vs. Orono, MWHS gym, 8:00

Saturday, January 21

Dance Team Invitational at Totino Grace High School, TBD

Boys Swim & Dive State True Team, TBD

Gymnastics Invitational at Jackson County Central, 11:00

Girls Hockey vs. Rochester-Mayo, MWHS Arena, 3:00

Looking Ahead

January 23

Seventh-Grade Parent Night at MWHS

Shirley Hills Reading & Math Fun Club begins

January 25

Shirley Hills Culver's Night

January 26

GMS Winter Blast

January 27

Teacher Workshop - No School

January 30 and February 1

MWHS Sno Daze Dodgeball Tournament

February 4

Sno Daze Dance