Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News~June 1, 2012   

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™ 
Girls Hockey Abbey
This Week's News
Congrats Class of 2012!
Bulman is Best Finalist
International Problem Solvers
It's Electric!
Memorial Day Memories
Fare Well to Retirees
Super Duper Day at SH
A Better Day Award
Stay on Track, Stay Well
Stay Injury Free
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Sports Highlights
Upcoming Events
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To the Class of 2012--

Congratulations! You did it!   

Staff Kevin Borg SuperintendentOn behalf of the entire school district staff, I want you to know how very proud we are of you, and how pleased we are to celebrate this wonderful achievement with you and your families.

You and members of your class have posted some exceptional academic accomplishments. Many of you have participated in honors, AP, and college preparatory courses and are members of the National Honor Society.  

 

Your class is better prepared than ever for college-level work. 78 students in your graduating class have a GPA of 3.0 or higher-that's a whopping 48% of you.

 

You've done some amazing things during your senior year. You have made us proud of your achievements in the classroom, on the court and field, on stage and in the arts. Click on the link below to see read more and to view a list of achievements.

 

Corey Bulman is "Best Teacher" Finalist--

Lake Minnetonka Magazine Readers' Survey

Athletics Awards Breakfast

MWHS English teacher Corey Bulman is a finalist for "Best High School Teacher" in the Lake Minnetonka Magazine (LMM) annual readers' survey.

 

"Our Best of Lake Minnetonka awards are an annual readers' survey we do in the beginning of each year," explained LMM Editor Molly Broman. "By being a finalist, Corey was one of the top three vote-getters out of a total of 145 teachers who were nominated. That's a huge honor!"

 

[The Best]

 

GMS Future Problem Solvers--

Headed to International Competition

GMS Future Problem Sovlvers

Jessy Cai, Leah Richter, Diana Hoernemann and Inga Erdahl are headed to International Competition. The GMS students are part of a Future Problem Solving team that has been selected as one of eight teams to represent Minnesota at the International Future Problem Solving Competition on June 7-10 at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. There will be 2,000 parents, students, and coaches from around the country and world participating in this competition. 

 

[Problem Solvers]

Community Ed Students Build Car--

Compete In B*E*S*T Electric Car Race

Comm Ed Electric Car Crew

Several Westonka 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-graders as part of an after school Community Ed Electric Car Engineering Class participated in the 16th Electric Car Races held in Becker, MN, on Sat, May 19. The car races are sponsored by a volunteer group of engineers who form the group B*E*S*T* --Bridging Engineers Science & Teaching.

 

[Engineers]

 

A Day to Remember--

Students Join in Community Memorial Day Program

GMS Essay Finalists

Students from the Westonka School District participated in a local ceremony at the Gillespie Center on Memorial Day to honor the men and women, past and present, who serve our country in the military.

 

The MWHS Band, under the direction of Gretchen Chilson, performed the Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America, Armed Forces on Parade (a medley of the military service songs), and America (My Country 'Tis of Thee).

 

[Memorial]

 

Retiring Staffers Honored at Banquet-- 
Westonka Says Goodbye to Long-Time Employees 

Retirees

Several long-time Westonka employees were honored at a retirement banquet in May, and another 22 were acknowledged for their years of service. Retiring staffers include Pat Berg, Director of Food Service and Nutrition; Mary Hughes, Director of Community Education; Tom Ireland, Technology Coordinator; custodians Steve LaFave and Dannie Welch; MWHS science teacher Jim Goodwin, and Shirley Hills' office aide Linda Lane.

 

[Farewell]

Shirley Hills Super Team Day--

Super Time for Students, Parents & Staff

Retirees 

Shirley Hills students took part in the traditional "Super Team Day" last Friday. Field Days are an end-of-the-school year ritual for many primary school students, but Shirley Hills' event emphasizes team and cooperative activities. From opening ceremonies to an all school picnic to a variety of games, relays and races, Shirley Hills students enjoyed the entire day outside.

 

[Super]

Hilltop Teacher Kathy Ireland Nominated--

'A Day Made Better' Award

HT Kathy IrelandCongratulations to Kathy Ireland for being nominated for "A Day Made Better 2012" for OfficeMax programs. If Ireland is selected for the award, she will receive $1,000 in classroom grade-level supplies.

 

[Better Days]

 

 

 

 

Westonka Wellness Committee--   
Keeps Students, Staff on Track

 Wellness Plan-- Fit KidsOnce a month, a hard-working committee meets in the Westonka School District with a mission of increasing health and wellness for both students and staff. The Wellness Committee, led by Coordinator Katie Jo O'Gara, is comprised of staff members from each building in the district. The committee's district-wide focus lies in three key areas: nutrition, physical activity, and a tobacco-free campus using research and data specific to Westonka.

 

[Do Well, Be Well]

 

 Free Injury Prevention Screening-- 

Westonka Students Grades 7-12 

Free injury prevention screens will be offered this summer to Westonka students in grades 7-12 at OSR Physical Therapy Clinic in Chanhassen. This prevention screening is based off of Functional Movement Screen research and is commonly known as FMS.

 

[Injury Free]

 

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[Westonka Edge on Facebook]      

Sports Highlights
Breaking News!
Softball Girls Beat Becker--
Begin Quest for State Championship

MWHS Softball finished their amazing run through the Section 5AA Tournament with two wins over the Becker Bulldogs, 11-3 and 2-1 to advance to the State Tournament in Mankato. "The girls came through with some great defensive plays in key situations to stop some of Becker's rallies and executed offensively when needed to," praised Coach Dan Krause. "Many girls stepped up and it was a complete team effort."

Look for stats and pep fest information in next week's eblast. The White Hawks begin their quest for a state championship on Thurs. at 1:00 PM at Caswell Park in Mankato.

Tennis coaches

Coaches of the Year!--
Paul & Reinbold Honored


"Congratulations to Coach Rob Paul and Coach Brent Reinbold on just being named the 2011-12 Section 2A Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year!" says Athletic Director Dion Koltes. "Great job and congratulations!"

 

The coaches will be leading the Boys Tennis Team next week on their quest for a State title.

 

Boys Tennis with trophy Boys Tennis Triumphs at Section 2A Tournament--
Trounces #1 Seed St. Peter

 

This year the White Hawks went to the section tournament hopeful, but seeded number two to rival St. Peter, who managed a convincing victory during the season, and handed Mound Westonka its only conference or sectional loss of the season.

 

[State Bound]

 

Baseball DelanoBaseball Beats Fridley--

Falls to Delano in Loretto    

MWHS Baseball Team beat the Fridley Tigers 3-2 in Sub-Section play behind Mitch Spanjers and Grant Nagel. 

 

[Bat Boys]

 

 

 

 

 

Baseball Delano 

Girls Lacrosse Section Tournament--

Banquet & End of Season Awards

 

MWHS Girls Lacrosse started their section tournament with a home game against Becker on Tuesday, May 22.

 

[LAX] 

 

 

Softball White Hawks Take it to Patriots--

Christensen Pitches No Hitter

 

MWHS Softball began playoffs as the #2 seed against #7 seed Minneapolis Patrick Henry at home on Friday evening.

 

[Sock it to 'em]

 

Softball Advances to Sub-Section Semi-Finals--

Against Watertown-Mayer

 

The Softball White Hawks advanced to the Sub-Section 5AA semi-final game against #3 seed Watertown-Mayer. 

 

[Watertown]

 

Track&Field Noel Wait True Team Track & Field Results--
Wharram Wins 3200 at Conference


In the Minnesota State True Team Section 4 AA-Track & Field Championships held in Orono on May 10, the Boys and Girls Teams competed with a number of athletes scoring points for their respective teams.

 

[Track Boys & Girls]

 

 

  

Upcoming Events

Friday, June 1

Track Sections, Gustavus Adolphus College, 9:00

 

Sunday, June 3

MWHS Graduation, Gymnasium, 4:00

Punch & photos following, high school courtyard, weather permitting

Congratulations Class of 2012!

 

Monday, June 4

Hilltop Field Day

 

Tuesday, June 5

Link Crew Leader Development Day, MWHS, 1:30

State Tennis Tournament, MWHS vs. Fergus Falls, Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center, noon

Good luck White Hawks!

GMS 7th-Grade Graduation & Party, 6:30

 

Wednesday, June 6

Last Day of School-Have a safe and fun summer break

GMS All-School Field Trip to Valley Fair

State Tennis Tournament, second round, 10:00

 

Thursday, June 7

State Tennis Tournament, individual play

State Softball Tournament begins 

 

Friday, June 8

State Track & Field at Gustavus Adolphus College

 

Saturday, June 9

State Track & Field at Gustavus Adolphus College

 

Looking Ahead

 

July 12

Registration for high school (grades 7-12) fall sports opens

 

August 13

First day of fall sports for 9th-grade through Varsity

 

August 15 & 22

MWHS Fast Start Days

 

August 27

First day of 7th & 8th-grade fall sports

 

August 28

GMS Open House

 

August 29

School Open Houses at Hilltop & Shirley Hills

MWHS Link Crew 8th-Grade Orientation

GMS WEB 5th-Grade & New Student Orientation

MWHS 8th-Grade, New Student & Parent Orientation

 

September 4

First Day of School

 

September 6

First Day of School for Kindergarteners

 

 

Westonka News Contact

Feel free to contact me with suggestions or questions [email protected].

Mary Pat McNeil, Marketing Consultant
Community Relations/Community Education  
Westonka Public Schools

5901 Sunnyfield Rd E   

Minnetrista MN 55364

Cell 612.483.2302 | www.westonka.k12.mn.us  
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