Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News ~ September 14, 2012  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Hilltop Blue Ribbon
Student Senate
SpotLight Showcase
Welcome Celebration Assembly
All-State Musicians
Family Fun Run
State Fair Art Ribbons
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





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Hilltop Primary Awarded National Blue Ribbon--
Recognized for 'Exemplary' Performance

 

Hilltop Primary School was one of only seven Minnesota schools named as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School.   

 

The U.S. Department of Education honored Hilltop in the "Exemplary High Performing" category, in which schools are recognized among their state's highest performing schools.

 

"I am very proud of our students' efforts, the support of our parents and community, and the hard work and talents of our staff," Superintendent Kevin Borg said. "This success comes from these collective efforts--working together to ensure all students meet their educational goals."

 

[Hilltop At Top]

MWHS Student Senate--
Already Hard at Work
When students arrived for the school day at Mound Westonka High School on Sept. 11, they were greeted by dozens of American flags lining the driveway and sidewalks.

The memorial to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was organized by the MWHS Student Senate, with flags donated by the American Legion.

 

[Student Senate]

SpotLight Shines on MWHS Musical Theater--
Students Take Stage at 2012 SpotLight Showcase

 

Thirteen cast members from Mound Westonka High School's fall 2011 production of The Drowsy Chaperone took the stage at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis June 11 for an encore performance of songs from their award-winning musical. Their performance was part of the seventh annual SpotLight Showcase presented by the Hennepin Theatre Trust.

 

[In The SpotLight]

MWHS Welcome Celebration Assembly--
Celebrating 'Neat' Student Accomplishments

Mound Westonka High School kicked off the new school year Sept. 4 with a Welcome Celebration Assembly highlighting student achievement from fourth quarter of last year.   

Thanks to the hard work of the Celebrations Committee and the generosity and support of MWHS parents, the school raised over $10,000 to recognize students for "some pretty neat accomplishments" this fall, according to Assistant Principal Marty Fisher.   

[Celebrate!]  

MWHS Pair Makes All-State Choir--
Shukle and Isaacs Sing at St. John's

Two Mound Westonka High School Concert Choir singers had the opportunity to be part of the All-State Choir experience at St. John's University in August. 

 

Seniors Monica Shukle and Maddy Isaacs were awarded two of the 250 coveted All-State Choir spots this year.

 

[All-State Talent]  

Family Fun Run/Walk to Benefit MWHS Athletes--
Minnetonka Orchards' Second Annual 5K Race
Minnetonka Orchards is hosting its second annual 5K Family Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 22, with all proceeds going to the Mound Westonka High School track and cross country teams.

When: Saturday, Sept. 22; 5K at 9 a.m.; free kids' half-mile at 9:45 a.m.

Where: Minnetonka Orchards

            6530 County Road 26, Minnetrista, MN 

 

Return registration form and $25 fee ($20 if registering before Sept. 16) to Minnetonka Orchards.  

 

[Fun Run]

Minnesota State Fair Art Competition--
Westonka Students 'Sweep Up' Ribbons
According to staffers who work the Minnesota State Fair art competition, Westonka students continue to "sweep up awards."

Over 180 ribbons were awarded to art students from every school and grade level in the Westonka School District. This year's competition featured more than 2,500 pieces submitted by schools across the state. 
 
The State Fair Art Exhibit at the Westonka Library runs through the end of September. 
 

[Ribbon Winners]  

Westonka in the News
Mound Westonka volleyball records go Mack-to-Mack
Last fall, Mound Westonka senior Callie Mack watched as her twin sister, Brenna, was recognized during the middle of a volleyball match for breaking a school record for career kills.

West metro schools put technology at the forefront
From computer-assisted teaching methods to widespread use of iPads, students will find things changing
Star Tribune

Hilltop Primary School Named 2012 Blue Ribbon School
Westonka school one of just seven in Minnesota to receive national honor.

Westonka Superintendent Welcomes Students, Updates Parents on State of District
Kevin Borg says school district will begin our new strategic planning process this fall.

WEB Photo Gallery
 
Westonka students head back to school
Most Westonka students headed back to school for their first day of class and end of summer vacation on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

MWHS teacher uses Chromebooks in classroom
The Google computers are a recent attempt by the district to increase technology use in the classroom.

MWHS part of teen driver safety contest
Getting a driver's license is one of life's biggest milestones, but research shows the first year behind the wheel is the most dangerous.

Sports Highlights

MWHS Volleyball Starts Season Strong--

White Hawks Take First in Home Tournament

The Mound Westonka High School volleyball team started their season with two straight victories and a first-ever, first-place win in their home tournament.  

 

[Setting Up Season]

 

Football Falls to 0-2--

Tigers 21, White Hawks 6
The MWHS football team dropped to 0-2 on the season with a 21-6 setback to Princeton last Friday. The White Hawks will look to break into the win column this week when they host Holy Family on Friday, Sept. 14.  

 

[Photo Slideshow by BJ Johnson]

 

MWHS-Holy Family Girls Swim & Dive Team--

Making Waves with 4-0 Record

MWHS-Holy Family girls swim and dive cooperative team pulled off a pair of upsets last week. The Class A White Hawks and Fire defeated Class AA Buffalo 94-92 and then defeated Hutchinson by the same score.   

 

[Making Waves]

  

Boys Soccer Holds Off Hutch and Holy Family-- 

Remains Undefeated in Conference Play

The White Hawks remain undefeated in the Wright County Conference after close contests with Hutchinson and Holy Family last week. They defeated the Tigers 3-1 and tied the Fire 1-1.

 

[Dodging Defeat]

 

White Hawks Cross-Country--

Boys Place Fifth, Girls Team Looks to Grow 

The MWHS boys varsity cross-country team took fifth out of 28 teams in the Sept. 6 Redbird meet. However, the girls varsity team comprised of a single runner.     

    

[Redbird Runners]

 

Girls Soccer Ends Winning Streak--

Falls to Holy Family, Waconia 

The White Hawks started their season strong, winning their first three games. The tide turned, however, when they took on teams from Holy Family and Waconia last week.

 

[Streak Ends]

Upcoming Events

Friday, September 14

Girls Volleyball Tournament at Heritage Christian Academy, 5:30

Football vs. Holy Family at MWHS Haddorff Field, 7:00

(Shirley Hills 4th Grade sings)

 

Saturday, September 15

Girls Volleyball Tournament at Heritage Christian Academy, 8:00

Girls Tennis Invitational at Buffalo, 9:00

Celebrate My Drive at Ridgedale Mall, 10:00-6:00 (Dance Team performs at 3:15)

Girls Soccer vs. Orono, MWHS Haddorff Stadium, 1:00

Boys Soccer vs. Orono, MWHS Haddorff Stadium, 3:00

 

Monday, September 17

Volleyball vs. Watertown-Mayer, MWHS gym, 7:00

Recruiter Visit - U.S. Marines, MWHS Guidance, 10:30

 

Tuesday, September 18

College Visit - Regency Beauty Institutes, MWHS Guidance, 9:30

College Visit - MN School of Cosmetology, MWHS Guidance, 11:00

College Visit - Iowa State University, MWHS Guidance, 1:30

Girls Tennis at Delano, 4:15

Boys Soccer at Glencoe-Silver Lake, 5:00

Girls Soccer at Glencoe-Silver Lake, 7:00

Volleyball at Norwood-Young America, 7:15

 

Wednesday, September 19

GMS Magazine Sale Begins

9th Grade Respect Retreat, MWHS, 7:45-2:45

10th Grade PLAN Test, MWHS, 8:00-Noon

College Visit - Gustavus Adolphus College, MWHS Guidance, 1:00

Grasshopper Cross Country Invitational, Gale Woods Park, 4:00

Girls Tennis at New Prague, 4:00

 

Thursday, September 20

MWHS Photo Make-up Day, 7:41-10:15

Recruiter Visit - U.S. Army National Guard, MWHS Guidance, 11:15

Girls Tennis at Litchfield, 4:15

Girls Soccer at Hutchinson, 5:00

Girls Swim & Dive vs. Orono and Holy Family, MWHS, 6:00

Boys Soccer at Hutchinson, 7:00

Volleyball at Dassel-Cokato, 7:00

 

Friday, September 21

Football at Delano, 7:00

 

Saturday, September 22

Girls Swim & Dive Invitational at Watertown-Mayer, 12:30

(Diving off-site at 9:00)

 

Sunday, Sept. 23

Homecoming Coronation, MWHS, 6:00

 

Looking Ahead

 

September 25

Hilltop and Shirley Hills School Picture Day

 

September 28

Homecoming Parade and Football Game

 

September 29

MWHS Homecoming Dance

 

October 8

GMS Picture Re-Take Day

 

October 11

GMS Parent-Teacher Conferences

Westonka News Submission Guidelines

Westonka News relies on submissions from coaches, advisors, teachers, staff, students and parent volunteers. If you have a story idea, please submit it. If you have an article, please submit it. If you have photos of student activities, please submit them.

 

Refer to the attached guidelines. They are designed to streamline the process for everyone. Please forward to parent volunteers who handle PR and photos for sports, academics and music, drama and arts programs. We look forward to publishing your submissions!

 

Westonka News Contact

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

Becca Heistad, Communications Coordinator
Community Relations/Community Education  
Westonka Public Schools

5901 Sunnyfield Rd E   

Minnetrista MN 55364

Cell 952.200.7805 | www.westonka.k12.mn.us  
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