Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News ~ November 30, 2012  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
National Education Week
Signing Day for the Macks
GMS Book Fair
Community Tree Lighting
Hilltop Toy, Hat & Mitten Drive
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





Wild about 
Westonka!
Check out our 
Spirit Store

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook
Students Show Appreciation--
For MWHS Teachers, Staff

The MWHS Student Senate planned a variety of activities designed to show appreciation for staff and teachers at the high school during American Education Week in November.

 

The week-long celebration Nov. 12-16 included notes of appreciation posted outside staff offices, candy-grams, the annual staff appreciation breakfast and a banana split social with the theme, "We are bananas about our teachers!" 

 

Mack Sisters Make it Official--
Volleyball Careers to Continue at Division I Level

Twin sisters Callie and Brenna Mack, seniors at Mound Westonka High School, made their commitment to play Division I college volleyball official Nov. 14 when they signed letters of intent to play for the University of Akron, Ohio.

 

The girls have been leaders on the MWHS team since making the varsity squad as eighth-graders and both set new school records during their careers. "They have a passion for the game, knowledge beyond their years and a drive like none other," head volleyball coach Katie Jo O'Gara said. "I look forward to road trips to Akron and watching them flourish at the collegiate level."

 

Congratulations to Callie and Brenna 

on this exciting new challenge!  

 

Shop for your School--
Grandview's Barnes & Noble Book Fair
On Saturday, Dec. 8, Barnes & Noble customers at Ridgehaven Mall in Minnetonka can support Grandview Middle School simply by shopping! A percentage of sales from that day, as well as the tips from a gift wrapping station, will go directly to the Grandview media center.
 
Print out this Barnes & Noble Voucher and bring it to store to shop between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. You can also shop online Dec. 8-13 at bn.com/bookfairs (enter the ID 10795052 at checkout).
 
 
 
When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m-10 p.m. 
Where: Ridgehaven Mall, 13131 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN
or shop online Dec. 8-13 (ID 10795052)
 
Adults and kids can sign up here to volunteer at the book fair.
 

[Book Fair]

Westonka Students Spread Cheer--
Help Kick off Holiday Season
Students from the Westonka School District helped kick off the holiday season by taking part in the annual tree lighting ceremony in downtown Mound on Nov. 15.   
 
The Westonka Pop Singers, Pop Starz, Mini Pops and Junior Pops provided musical entertainment, and MWHS cheerleaders and DECA students also joined in the festivities. 

 

Help Hilltop Spread Smiles--
Annual Toy, Hat and Mitten Drive

Now through Dec. 6, the Hilltop Student Council is sponsoring the annual Toy, Hat and Mitten Drive at Hilltop Primary School. 

 

Each classroom will be collecting items for needy families in the Westonka area, which will be delivered to WeCAN. Last year, the school collected over 1,000 items.

 

Hilltop appreciates donations from anyone in the district. Please bring in items that are new. Your donation effort will put a smile on a child's face this holiday season!

Westonka in the News
West school briefs: Three west-metro districts honored by College Board
Three west-metro school districts are among 11 districts in Minnesota to be recognized by the College Board on its third annual AP District Honor Roll...

Five titles in a row for PI champions
Robbinsdale-Hopkins-Mound Westonka overcame youth and inexperience to win the championship.

Westonka Schools Earns Spot on AP District Honor Roll
Westonka Schools Earns Spot on AP District Honor Roll

Meet Westonka's November Feature Teacher: Beth Harstad
The Westonka School District's Feature Teacher for November is Beth Harstad, a fourth-grade teacher at Hilltop Primary School. 

We've Got Blue, Yes We Do! Hilltop Primary Celebrates Blue Ribbon Award
Hilltop was one of only seven Minnesota schools, and one of only 269 schools nationally, to receive the award this year.

Westonka Swim and Dive Team Wraps up 2012 Season
Mound Westonka and Holy Family sent nine athletes to compete at the Minnesota Class A Swim and Dive Championships at the University of Minnesota November 15-17.

Mack sisters sign with University of Akron
Almost two weeks after their careers with Mound Westonka High School volleyball team ended, twin sisters Brenna and Callie Mack made their college choice official...

A blue celebration
Hilltop Primary students and staff gathered together on Friday, Nov. 9 to celebrate the Blue Ribbon award they received from the United States Secretary of Education...

Westonka district looks to chef for nutrition help
The Westonka Public School District has hired a nutrition services expert to help efforts to provide nutritious food options and conform to the new USDA guidelines...

District 277 Foundation grants benefit Westonka students
The Westonka District 277 Foundation recently announced its grant awards for the 2012-2013 school year. 

MWHS wrestlers prepare for season with Nov. 23 alumni match
The Mound Westonka High School wrestling team is planning to begin the new season with their annual alumni match at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23.

Westonka senior selected for "Jeopardy!" Teen Tournament
So far so good for MWHS senior Joe Vertnik, who also has won a car and received a part in a high school musical.

Alumni update: where they are now
Mound Westonka: Bri Clark started 19 games this fall for the Augsburg College women's soccer team as a senior forward. 

From the Notebook
The Mound Westonka White Hawks enter this week undefeated at 4-0. Sophomore defender Mackenzie Kratch and eighth-grade forward Liz Schepers both scored...

White Hawks start season ranked No. 9
The Mound Westonka girls' hockey team lost a talented senior class last season, but the White Hawks have plenty of returning talent to warrant the No. 9 ranking...

Two students selected for teen 'Jeopardy!'
Nearly 10,000 teens applied to be on "Jeopardy's" Teen Tournament. Of those 10,000, only 15 will be competing and two of those teens are from Minnesota.
Sports Highlights
White Hawks Girls Hockey--
Begins Season Undefeated
The MWHS girls hockey team is celebrating an undefeated start to their season after winning their first four games. They will travel to Prior Lake for their next match Dec. 4.
 


Westonka Soccer Club President Ian Maloney--
Named MYSA Administrator of the Year

Westonka Soccer Club President and district parent Ian Maloney was recently awarded the honor of Club Administrator of the Year by the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) for the state of Minnesota. 

 

  

White Hawks and Fire Compete at State--

Senior Swimmers Shine

Mound Westonka and Holy Family high schools sent nine athletes to compete at the Minnesota Class A Swim and Dive Championships at the University of Minnesota November 15-17. The White Hawks will miss their graduating seniors next season.

 

[State Swimmers]

Upcoming Events

Friday, November 30

Distinguished Student Breakfast Grades 10 through 12, MWHS, 7:15

MWHS Celebrations Assembly

GMS Toy Drive begins

Gymnastics at Litchfield, 6:00

Boys Hockey at Warroad, 7:00

 

Saturday, December 1

Dance Team Invitational at Chaska, TBD

Wrestling at Fridley, 9:00

Boys Hockey at Lake of the Woods, 12:00

 

Monday, December 3

Shirley Hills Culver's Family Night, 4:00-8:00

 

Tuesday, December 4

Nordic Ski at Wirth Park, TBD

Girls Hockey at Prior Lake, 5:00

Boys Basketball at Big Lake, 7:15

 

Wednesday, December 5

Financial Aid Information Night, MWHS Theater, 7:00

 

Thursday, December 6

Hilltop Toy, Hat and Mitten Drive Ends

College Visit, Northern Michigan University, MWHS Guidance, 9:00

Boys Swim & Dive Jamboree at Orono, 6:00

Girls Basketball vs. Belle Plaine, MWHS, 7:00

Dance Team Conference Tournament at Litchfield, 7:00

Boys Hockey at Chaska, 7:00

Girls Hockey vs. Holy Family at Victoria Arena, 7:00

Boys Basketball at Norwood-Young America, 7:30

 

Friday, December 7

Wrestling Invitational at Brainerd, 4:30

 

Saturday, December 8

GMS Barnes & Noble Media Center Fundraiser

Dance Team Invitational at Eastview, TBD

Boys Hockey vs. Monticello, Mound Thaler Arena, 2:00

Girls Basketball at Legacy Christian Academy, 4:00

Boys Basketball vs. Legacy Christian Academy, MWHS, 7:00

Wrestling Invitational at Brainerd, 10:30

 

Looking Ahead

 

December 10

MWHS Winter Band Concert

 

December 11

GMS Choir Concert

 

December 13

GMS 5th and 6th Grade Band Concerts

 

December 14 and 15

Pop Singers Holiday Shows

 

December 17

MWHS Holiday Choir Concert

 

December 18

Shirley Hills Grades 2 and 3 music concerts

GMS 7th Grade Band Concert

 

December 21

Last day of school before winter break 
Westonka News Contact

Feel free to contact me with suggestions or questions heistadb@westonka.k12.mn.us.

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

5901 Sunnyfield Rd E   

Minnetrista MN 55364

952.491.8003 | www.westonka.k12.mn.us  
To unsubscribe use the UNSUBSCRIBE OPTION BELOW. 
To forward to a friend use the Forward email link below.

 

Note: Email filters that are designed to prevent unwanted emails or spam may prevent you from receiving email communications from the Westonka School District. In order to prevent this, please add westonka.k12.mn.us to your Approved Senders List.