Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News ~ March 1, 2013  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Borg Report
Future City at Nationals
Region 2AA Band Contest
'Jeopardy!' Highlights
MWHS Celebration Assembly
'Little Mermaid, Jr.'
AP Physics Welcomes Engineers
'Almost, Maine'
Feature Teacher
Westonka in the News
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





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A Message from the Superintendent--
An Open Apology to our Community

Staff Kevin Borg Superintendent

I want to update you on events related to the situation that took place Feb. 22 in the Mound Westonka High School lunchroom that resulted in several students being disciplined for disrupting the educational environment and compromising student safety. Whether or not you have a student at the high school, we are a small community - and as such, we all feel the impact of something so painful and so public.

 

I am very sorry for the pain this has caused on many levels - for our students, our staff and our community. Please read the Borg Report for information on the outside investigation into this incident and our steps moving forward. 

 

While times like this are incredibly challenging, I hope we can all remember the many wonderful things our students - from prekindergarten through grade 12 - and staff do every day.  

 

Sincerely,

 

Kevin Borg
 
Kevin Borg
Superintendent

 

Grandview Future City Team--
Competes at Nationals
 
The team of Grandview Middle School seventh-graders Jessy Cai, Maddie Bacon, Megan Heins and Brandon Ung, along with their teacher Jennifer Naslund and engineering mentor Sarah Reinhart, had a five-day all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the Future City National Finals over Presidents' Day weekend.
 
Top Honors for MWHS Bands--
At Regional Contest

The Mound Westonka High School Wind Ensemble earned Superior ratings from all three judges at the Region 2AA Large Group Contest Feb. 25 at Dassel-Cokato High School. 

 

The Symphonic Band was just one point short of a Superior rating overall. 

 
'Jeopardy!' is Unforgettable Experience--
For MWHS Senior
"'Jeopardy!' was a great experience - one I'll never forget," Mound Westonka High School senior Joe Vertnik said.

 

After earning one of a select 15 spots in the "Jeopardy!" Teen Tournament, Vertnik went on to win $10,000 for reaching the semi-final round. Even though the two-week tournament was taped last November, the show did not air until early February, and Vertnik and his parents, Steve and Debbie, were sworn to secrecy.
 
There's Much to Celebrate--
At Mound Westonka
The second quarter Celebration Assembly was held at Mound Westonka High School on Feb. 14. 
 
The lively event featured "Know a White Hawk?," a friendly competition between teams of siblings, friends and MWHS staff. Students were also recognized in the following categories: 4.0 GPAs, 'A' honor roll, most improved GPAs, perfect attendance and the White Hawks Award (recognizing character, citizenship, improvement, kindness and/or school spirit). 
 
'Little Mermaid, Jr.'--
Hits Grandview Stage
You're invited to take part in an "under the sea" adventure when Grandview Middle School presents Disney's "The Little Mermaid, Jr." Performances are March 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. and March 9 and 10 at 2 p.m. 
 
For tickets, contact Kelly Bridge at kbridge33@yahoo.com. 
 
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors/students. A table for four can be reserved in The Lagoon for $50, which includes refreshments at intermission. An all-show pass for all four shows is $25 for adults and $15 for students.
 
Engineers Join AP Physics Class--
For Dynamic Experiments
 
AP Physics students at Mound Westonka High School received a lesson in thermodynamics from two experts in the field on Feb. 4 and 5, thanks to a grant from General Dynamics. Two General Dynamics engineers joined the budding scientists as they worked on special projects designed by MWHS physics teacher Sarah Morinville. 
 
Love is in the Air--
MWHS Presents 'Almost, Maine'
Mound Westonka High School's Theater Department will present the play "Almost, Maine" Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. in the high school theater.
 
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and can be purchased in advance at the high school activities office during regular school hours or online. 
 
Tickets will also be sold at the door. 
 
Westonka Congratulates Kay Ostman Saxvik--
Lord Fletcher's February Feature Teacher
Grandview Middle School sixth-grade teacher Kay Ostman Saxvik was named the February Lord Fletcher's Feature Teacher. Ostman Saxvik has spent her entire 21-year teaching career in the Westonka Schools. 
 
"Kay is a teacher with a heart of gold," Grandview Principal Christy Zachow said. "She has dedicated over 20 years to teaching in the Westonka schools and has been a kind, calm and supportive presence in the lives of those students she has worked with." 
 
Westonka in the News
Tuesday's prep results

MWHS student competes in teen Jeopardy!
A Mound Westonka High School student had the opportunity to live his dream and earned $10,000 while appearing in a segment of the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament ...

MWHS finishes in sixth place at state tournament
The Mound Westonka High School girls hockey team took sixth place out of eight teams at the state high school tournament.

Hawkettes finish seventh in state jazz competition
MWHS dancers and coaches said the team's performance at the Target Center was best of the season.

MWHS skier finishes 11th in state
Mound Westonka High School nordic skier Scott Harrison finished in 11th place at the state competition on Thursday, Feb. 14 in Biwabik, Minn.
 
White Hawks alpine skier finishes in top half at state
Mound Westonka High School alpine skier Willie Maahs finished in the top half of the field at the state alpine ski competition ...

Sixth grade basketball
The Westonka Sixth Grade Girls B basketball team took first place at the Mounds View Classic on Feb. 16-17, 2013. 

Right on Target: Westonka Archery Program Sees Popularity Explosion
The Westonka Archery Club has approximately 120 students grades K-10 participating this year-possibly the club's highest enrollment ever.

Young White Hawks don't look like first timers
For the Mound Westonka White Hawks, this season has been all about first time experiences. 

Alumni in the News
MWHS graduate Matt Harrison ('09) earns PR on Carleton College track & field team.
Sports Highlights
Boys Swim and Dive Sends Six to State!--
Five School Records at Sections
Four swimmers and two divers from Mound Westonka High School advanced to the Class A boys state swimming and diving tournament Feb. 28-March 2 at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, the White Hawks set five school records in Sections.
Seven Westonka Wrestlers--
Advance to State!
The MWHS wrestling squad hosted the Section 6AAA individual wrestling tournament Feb. 22 and 23. The White Hawks entered wrestlers in 13 of 14 weights, placing in all 13 and advancing seven wrestlers to state.

 

Girls Hockey Ends Great Season--

Polusny Makes All-Tournament Team
The MWHS girls hockey team wrapped up a busy two weeks that started with a section championship victory and ended with a loss in the state tournament consolation championship game. Eighth-grade goalie Emma Polusny was named to the All-Tournament team. 

 

Talented On and Off Mat--
Hebig Earns Academic All-State Honors
The Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association recently named MWHS senior Tyler Hebig to the All-State Academic Team. He and the 25 other honorees will be awarded plaques at St. Paul's River Centre during the state wrestling Tournament Feb. 28-March 2.
 

Hawkettes Place Seventh at State-- 
Young Team Looks to Next Season
The Hawkettes Jazz team earned seventh place in the state dance tournament on Feb. 15. The young team graduates only two seniors this spring and expects to have a strong group of returning dancers in both Jazz and High Kick.
 
 
Girls Basketball Wins Close Road Battle--
One-Point Victory over Hutchinson
The White Hawks girls basketball team had a close win on the road on Feb. 19 against Hutchinson. The final score was 59-58 in favor of the White Hawks.
 
 
Upcoming Events

Friday, March 1

No School

MWHS Parent/Teacher Conferences, 7:30-11:30

GMS Parent Conferences, 7:30-3:00

Shirley Hills Conferences, 7:45-3:45

Hilltop Parent Conferences, 8:00-4:00

Hawkettes Dance Spectacular, MWHS gym, 7:00

Boys Basketball at Waconia, 7:30

 

Monday, March 4

GMS Food Drive Begins

7th-Grade Parent Information Night, MWHS, 7:00

 

Tuesday, March 5

College Visit, St. Thomas University, MWHS Guidance, 11:30

 

Thursday, March 7

Hilltop Food Drive Ends

Speech Conference Meet, Dassel-Cokato, 4:00

Shirley Hills 1st-Grade Music Concert, 6:30

Shirley Hills 4th-Grade Music Concert, 7:30

GMS Musical "The Little Mermaid", 7:00

Tickets $8 for adults and $5 for students/seniors at the door

 

Friday, March 8

Hilltop Sleepover, Hilltop gym, 7:00-7:00

GMS Musical "The Little Mermaid", 7:00

Tickets $8 for adults and $5 for students/seniors at the door

MWHS Spring Play "Almost, Maine", Theater, 7:30

Tickets $8 for adults, $6 for students at the door

 

Saturday, March 9

GMS Musical "The Little Mermaid", 2:00

Tickets $8 for adults and $5 for students/seniors at the door

MWHS Spring Play "Almost, Maine", Theater, 7:30

Tickets $8 for adults, $6 for students at the door

 

Sunday, March 10

GMS Musical "The Little Mermaid", 2:00

Tickets $8 for adults and $5 for students/seniors at the door

MWHS Spring Play "Almost, Maine", Theater, 2:00

Tickets $8 for adults, $6 for students at the door

 

Looking Ahead

 

March 11

All-District Choir Concert

 

March 12

Hilltop All-School Music Concert

 

March 18-22

Spring Break

Westonka News Contact

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

Becca Heistad, Communications Coordinator
Community Relations  
Westonka Public Schools

5901 Sunnyfield Rd E   

Minnetrista MN 55364

952.491.8003 | www.westonka.k12.mn.us  
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