It's that time of year when we take a moment to recognize all the successes and accomplishments of our students and staff. And what a year it's been so far.

A few highlights: Our largest DECA contingency just returned from state and will send 37 students--the most in the history of the school and the most of any of the 62 competing schools in the state-- to national competition in Salt Lake City, UT, this spring.

The Hawkettes Dance Team advanced to compete at state-level competition. Wrestling, Boys & Girls Swim & Dive, Cross Country, and Gymnastics sent 20 individuals to compete at the state level.

Science Olympiad, Speech Team, and Choir also sent members to state. Fine Arts had 2 gold, 2 silver key, and 2 honorable mention MN Scholastic awards while Theater won several Spotlight awards for the fall musical, and Music took 3 superiors and an excellent in Region 2AA Large Group competition.

GMS Future Cities placed 5th out of 44 teams at regionals, and Future Problem Solvers took 3 of the 6 awards at regionals. Both Math Masters and FPS advanced to state.

Our staff and students have excelled and it shows. Read all the good news in this week's Borg Report. 

[Borg Report]

The Westonka School Board approved next school year's district calendar at the Monday, March 26 meeting. The calendar can be viewed and printed from the district website. A major change is the last day of school will be May 30. The earlier end of the school year was achieved by shortening winter break. This change is to accommodate work associated with the facilities construction projects. Spring Break week will also be a week later than it was this past school year.

[Calendar]

In July 2011, the Westonka Summer Institute (WSI) gave seven Westonka students an opportunity to visit Costa Rica to practice high-level microbial and field research. The group hiked and zip-lined through the rain forest, slept in hammocks, conducted actual field research and went horseback riding up a volcano.

[Field Work]

[Math Test] 

GMS art teacher Pamela Veilleux continually offers her students a variety of opportunities to be creative in their own way. Advanced 7th-grade artists had the unique opportunity to work with local ceramic artist Laurie Landry, from the Pottery Garage. The students created colorful terra cotta bowls that will be auctioned off at the Spring Gala, with the proceeds benefiting Action for Children Zambia--a nonprofit designed to help children stay off the streets.    

[Open Minds] 

"The State Tournament went great, but not as good on the result end as I had hoped," said Coach Craig Swenson. "The four teams just above us were within eight points (out of 500), so we easily could have done better. In one case our 'Gravity Vehicle' which placed at Regions had a mechanical difficulty, which dropped the performance significantly."

[Science] 

Friday, March 30

Baseball Scrimmage at Jordan, 4:30

Shirley Hills, GMS & MWHS March food drives end

MWHS Spring Play "The K of D", Little Theater, 7:30

Tickets $7 for adults & $5 for students/seniors at the door

GMS Spring Musical "Guys & Dolls", cafeteria, 7:00

Tickets $7 for adults & $5 for students/seniors at the door

Saturday, March 31

Track Invitational, University of St. Thomas, TBD

MWHS Spring Play "The K of D", Little Theater, 7:30

Tickets $7 for adults & $5 for students at the door

GMS Spring Musical "Guys & Dolls", cafeteria, 4:00

Tickets $7 for adults & $5 for students/seniors at the door

Sunday, April 1

MWHS Spring Play "The K of D", Little Theater, 2:00

Tickets $7 for adults & $5 for students/seniors at the door

GMS Spring Musical "Guys & Dolls", cafeteria, 2:00

Tickets $7 for adults & $5 for student/seniors at the door

Monday, April 2

Track Meet, Becker Field house, 4:00

Tuesday, April 3

College visit,Normandale Community College, 9:00

Baseball Scrimmage at Shakopee, 4:00

Boys Tennis at Becker, 4:00

Thursday, April 5

Boys Tennis vs. Prior Lake, MWHS, 4:15

GMS Spring Fling, 5:30-8:00

Friday, April 6

Teacher Workshop, no school

Looking Ahead

April 9

College visit, North Hennepin Technical College

April 10

Spotlight on Speech

April 16

MCA Testing begins

April 17

Senior Retreat

April 21

Kids Stuff Sale Fundraiser

April 22

NHS Induction Ceremony

April 27

MWHS Celebrations Assembly

April 28

Shirley Hills Carnival

May 3

GMS Art Gala