Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News ~ January 18, 2013  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Kindergarten Round-Up
Paraprofessional Recognition Week
Honor Band
DECA Districts
ExCEL Award Nominees
Suicide Prevention Forum
Free or Reduced Meals
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





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It's Kindergarten Round-Up Time!--
Visit the Award-Winning School in Your Neighborhood

It's time once again for Westonka's Kindergarten Round-Up!

 

Westonka is home to two nationally acknowledged Blue Ribbon primary schools, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as "Exemplary High Performing." Families with children entering kindergarten next fall are invited to choose from two Kindergarten Round-Up sessions at the primary school in their neighborhood:

 

Shirley Hills Primary School:  
Tuesday, Jan. 22 ~ 4-5:30 p.m. OR 6-7:30 p.m.

Hilltop Primary School:
Thursday, Jan. 24 ~ 4:30-5:30 p.m. OR 6-7 p.m

[Round-Up Time]

A Day in the Life--
Of a Westonka Para

 

  

Some of the biggest "secret weapons" in the Westonka School District are its 62 paraprofessionals, whose job descriptions run deep and wide. During Paraprofessional Recognition Week Jan. 13-19, Westonka recognized and celebrated the work of the district's dedicated paraprofessionals in a variety of ways.  

 

Each day brings new challenges for Westonka paraprofessionals, and every para has a unique role. Now in her 13th year working for Westonka, Grandview Middle School para Desiree Hemstock has helped countless students achieve real-life success. Hemstock invited Westonka News to experience her typical work day. 

 

[A Day in the Life]

Top MWHS Musicians--
Perform in Honor Band

Nine Mound Westonka High School musicians were selected for the second annual Wright County Conference Honor Band, which performed Jan. 12 in Hutchinson.  

 

Representing MWHS were junior Leah Pinault, sophomore Zach Blume, senior Hannah Randklev, sophomore Grant Harrison, junior Kristen Holmberg, sophomore Timmy Levens, freshman Rob Stokes, junior Elle Montgomery and junior Hanna Brustad.

 

Westonka Competes at DECA Districts--
85 Students Advance to State
 
The Mound Westonka High School DECA Club achieved considerable success at the district DECA competition at Minnetonka High School on Jan. 12. Of the 98 Westonka students who competed, 85 are advancing to the Minnesota State DECA Competition March 3-5.  
MWHS Nominates Pinault and Tierney--
For MSHSL ExCEL Award

 

Juniors Leah Pinault and Bryan Tierney have been selected to represent Mound Westonka High School in the Minnesota State High School League's ExCEL program. ExCEL--Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership--is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for the state's high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show leadership qualities and who are model citizens.

 

[ExCELling Students]

Students Working Toward a Healthier Community--
MWHS Hosts Suicide Prevention Forum

Mound Westonka High School DECA and Westonka Healthy Community Collaborative are hosting a free suicide prevention forum for the community Thursday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. in the MWHS Little Theater. 

 
Dr. Dan Reidenberg will speak on ways to recognize the warning signs of suicide and when to intervene. The forum will also provide additional resource information.

What: Free community suicide prevention forum 
When: Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. 
Where: Mound Westonka High School Little Theater

[Prevent Suicide]

Free or Reduced Price Meals--
Your Child May Qualify
Westonka Public Schools provides healthy meals every day to all students, but paying for lunch and breakfast for your children can be costly. Did you know that your child may qualify for free or reduced priced meals?

To apply, simply complete the Application for Educational Benefits. 

 

[Lunch Time]

Westonka in the News
Minnetonka and Westonka Districts Are Pushing Play on Flipped Classrooms
A new trend turns the focus from how teachers lecture to how students learn.
Lake Minnetonka Magazine

Trio of third-period goals lift Mound-Westonka
MOUND-WESTONKA 4, MANKATO EAST 1: Three third period goals provided the margin of victory for the White Hawks.
Star Tribune

Tuesday's boys' hockey roundup
MOUND-WESTONKA 5, DELANO 4 (OT): Hunter Smith's goal at 4:03 of overtime--his second of the game--provided the winning score ...
Star Tribune

Ryan Strother to attend Denison University
Ryan Strother, a senior at Mound Westonka High School, will attend Denison University in the fall of 2013.
ReadMedia

OMW swim and dive boys earn third at invite
The Orono Mound Westonka (OMW) co-op boys' swim and dive team returned from the Simley Invitational Jan. 5 with the third place trophy ...
The Laker & The Pioneer

MWHS wrestling places fourth at Hibbing
The Mound Westonka High School wrestling team placed fourth out of eight teams at the Hibbing Duals tournament on Jan. 4 and 5.
The Laker

MWHS basketball loses high scoring game to Apollo
The Mound Westonka High School boys basketball team lost its first game of the new year 81-72 to nonconference opponent Apollo High School ...
The Laker 

MWHS hockey wins game against Litchfield
Besides defeating conference opponent Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato at home, the White Hawks also lost to Wayzata
The Laker

School Nurse: Westonka Schools on 'Downside' of Reported Flu Cases
Rates were higher in December, and only scattered faculty absences being blamed on flu.
Lake Minnetonka Patch

Park girls hockey: Wolfpack beats Hastings, Mound-Westonka

The Wolfpack gained momentum with two wins at the Farmington Tournament, including a 3-2 victory over No. 8 (1A) Mound-Westonka.

South Washington County Bulletin 

Sports Highlights
Hawkettes Will Play Host--
To WCC Championship
On Jan. 10, the MWHS dance team took third at the final Wright County Conference meet before the conference championship. MWHS hosts the WCC Championship this Saturday, Jan. 19.
 

White Hawks Wrestlers--

 

Drop Two Close Duals 

The White Hawks wrestling squad hosted conference and section rivals Waconia High School and Willmar High School on Jan. 10, but the team came up empty in two close duals.

  

[Empty Handed]


Boys Swim and Dive--

 

2-0 in Conference 

With a decisive 107-79 win against Wright County Conference rival Hutchinson High School on Jan. 10, the Orono Mound Westonka (OMW) co-op boys swim and dive team is 2-0 in the conference and 5-1 overall.  

 

 

Westonka Alpine Skiers--

 

  
 
Fight Cold Temps 

 

The Westonka Alpine ski team got its first taste of cold temperatures at their Jan. 14 race at Hyland Hills, but the team overcame and put in some good finishes.

 

[Fighting Cold]

    

Upcoming Events
Friday, January 18

End of Second Quarter

Alpine Ski, Mount Kato, TBD

Wrestling Quad Meet, MWHS, 5:00

GMS Winter Blast, 5:30-8:00

Girls Hockey vs. Rogers, Mound Thaler Arena, 7:00

 

Saturday, January 19

Gymnastics Invitational, Jackson County Central, TBD

Boys Swim & Dive at Spring Lake Park, TBD

Dance Team Conference Tournament, MWHS, 1:00

Boys Hockey vs. St. Cloud Cathedral, Mound Thaler Arena, 3:00

 

Monday, January 21

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Teacher Workshop, no school

 

Tuesday, January 22

Shirley Hills Kindergarten Round-Up, 4:00 & 6:00

Nordic Ski at Como Golf Course, TBD

Boys Swim & Dive vs. Simley, Orono Pool, 6:00

Girls Hockey vs. Litchfield-Dassel-Cokato, Mound Thaler Arena, 7:00

Boys Hockey at Waconia, 7:00

Boys Basketball at Hutchinson, 7:30

Girls Basketball vs. Hutchinson, MWHS, 7:30

 

Thursday, January 24

Hilltop Kindergarten Round-Up, 4:30 & 6:00

Gymnastics at Annandale, 6:00

Boys Swim & Dive vs. Watertown Mayer-Delano-Waconia, Orono Pool, 6:00

Wrestling at Glencoe-Silver Lake, 6:00

Girls Hockey vs. St. Louis Park, Mound Thaler Arena, 7:00

 

Friday, January 25

Nordic Ski Conference Tournament, Baker International, TBD

Wrestling vs. Dassel-Cokato, Litchfield and Waconia, MWHS, 6:00

 

Saturday, January 26

Dance Team Invitational, Simley, TBD

Wrestling Invitational, South Saint Paul High School, 10:00

Boys Hockey vs. Orono, Mound Thaler Arena, 1:00

Girls Hockey at Hutchinson, 6:00

Boys Basketball vs. Jordan, MWHS, 6:15

Moonlight Trail Event

 

Monday, January 28 ~ SnoDaze Week

Afton Alps reward day field trip, GMS 6th graders

First round MWHS Student Senate Dodgeball Tournament, MWHS Gym, 7:00

Admission price is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Receive $1 off the price of admission with a non-perishable food shelf donation.

Proceeds from the tournament will be included in Senate's donation to Feed My Starving Children

 

Wednesday, January 30

Second round MWHS Student Senate Dodgeball Tournament, MWHS Gym, 7:00

Admission price is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Receive $1 off the price of admission with a non-perishable food shelf donation.

Proceeds from the tournament will be included in Senate's donation to Feed My Starving Children

 

Friday, February 1

Brunswick Zone reward day field trip, GMS 5th graders

Courage retreat, GMS 6th graders

Skating & Winter Olympics at Thaler Sport Center, GMS 7th graders

 

Saturday, February 2

Link Night, Varsity Boys Hockey game, Thaler Arena, 5:00

Link/SnoDaze Blacklight Dance for 8th and 9th graders, MWHS Cafeteria, 6:30-8:00,

free of charge

SnoDaze Blacklight Dance, 10th-12th grade, MWHS Cafeteria, 8:30-11:00

Tickets $8 in advance, $10 at the door

 

Looking Ahead

 

February 4

GMS "Have a Heart for Cancer" drive begins

 

February 7

Shirley Hills Imagination Fair

 

February 18

President's Day, no school

 

February 19

Teacher workshop, no school

 

February 22

Hilltop Soiree

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  
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