Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News ~ March 8, 2013  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Borg Report
State DECA Competition
Shirley Hills Read-a-Thon
All-District Choir Concert
Future Problem Solvers
Copper Street Brass Quintet
MWHS Science Olympiad
Destination Imagination
Westonka in the News
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





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A Message from the Superintendent--
An Update on Our District
Staff Kevin Borg Superintendent

As was discussed in last week's Borg Report, the Westonka School Board has authorized an investigation of the events surrounding the Feb. 22 incident in the Mound Westonka High School lunchroom. The investigation is now underway and is being conducted by attorney Tessa Wagner. 

 

As we work through this process, it is important to continue to recognize the success of our talented staff and students. Please read the Borg Report for some of the exciting things happening in Westonka Schools. 

 
DECA Students Thrive at State--
15 Headed to Internationals
A total of 77 Mound Westonka High School students competed at this year's DECA State Career Development Conference March 3-5. 

Westonka was entered in 36 of the 53 events at the state level and advanced 42 students to the state finals. 
 
Fifteen students placed high enough in their respective events to move on to the DECA International Career Development Conference April 24-27 in Anaheim, Calif.
 
Shirley Hills Readers--
Raise Over $11K for the School
 
Shirley Hills Primary School students celebrated "I Love to Read Month" in February with the school's second annual Read-a-Thon. The successful event raised over $11,400 this year.
 
To kick off the fundraiser, Shirley Hills welcomed a group of "Mystery Readers," made up of parents, grandparents and staff. Each Mystery Reader chose a great book to read and wore a fun costume to match.  
 
All-District Choir Concert--
To Feature Middle and High School Singers
Westonka's vocal music students at the middle and high school levels will present an All-District Choir Concert on March 11.
 
What: All-District Choir Concert
When: Monday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mound Westonka High School gym 
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors at the door. Pre-schoolers are free.
 
Grandview Future Problem Solvers--
Are State Bound
Three Grandview Middle School Future Problem Solving teams have qualified to participate in the State Bowl in Forest Lake on April 6. 
 
A total of 23 teams competed in the Richfield Regional competition in February. Seven of those teams, including three teams of sixth-graders from Westonka, advanced to the state competition.
 
Copper Street Brass Quintet--
Inspires Westonka Students
The Copper Street Brass Quintet visited Mound Westonka High School and Grandview Middle School on Feb. 28 to perform and teach. Their services were paid for by grants from the Westonka District 277 Foundation and the Target Foundation.

 

"Having such a world-class ensemble in our band room is not an everyday occurrence, and I think it was eye-opening for many of our students," band director Gretchen Chilson said. 

MWHS Science Olympiad Team--
Prepares for State
Thanks to a strong showing at the regional tournament in February, the Mound Westonka High School Science Olympiad team will compete in the state tournament on Saturday, March 9, at the University of St. Thomas. 
 
All Three Destination Imagination Teams--
Advance to State Competition
All three of Westonka's Destination Imagination teams earned first place at the Feb. 23 regional tournament and will advance to the state competition April 20 at Champlin Park High School.
 
Destination Imagination is a year-long educational program where student teams solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. In working to solve these challenges, teams learn important life skills like time management, collaboration, conflict resolution and creative and critical thinking.  
 
Westonka in the News
Orono and Mound swim and dive squads sending eight to state
Six swimmers and two divers from Orono and Mound Westonka are advancing to the Class A State Swimming and Diving Tournament Feb. 28 - March 2 ...

MWHS individual gymnasts compete at state
Three Mound Westonka High School gymnasts competed at the Class A individual state gymnastics competition on Saturday, Feb. 23 ...

MWHS season ends in section loss
The Mound Westonka High School boys hockey team lost their first playoff game 6-4 against The Blake School in the Section 2A tournament on Feb. 22 ...

Seven wrestlers head to state
The Mound Westonka White Hawks wrestling team will be sending seven members to state ...

Weekend Pick: Grandview Middle School Presents The Little Mermaid, Jr.
The musical features an entire cast of sea creatures who sing and dance their way through the production, which includes over 40 students in the cast and crew.

Westonka Superintendent Pens Letter to Community ...
Kevin Borg says Westonka School Board has authorized an outside investigation of the Feb. 22 events.
 
Meet Westonka's February 2013 Feature Teacher: Kay Ostman Saxvik 
As a sixth-grader teacher at Grandview Middle School, Ostman Saxvik has taught science, math, reading, English and social studies. 

O'Brien and Bennyhoff excel at state tournament
The Wayzata and Mound Westonka wrestling teams each sent seven individuals to the state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center last weekend ...

State swim meet: Class A results
At the Class A state meet, Mound Westonka placed 11th in the team standings, while Orono finished in 23rd place.
Sports Highlights
Six from Westonka--
Medal at State Swim and Dive
Four swimmers and two divers from MWHS finished in the top eight to medal at the Class A Boys Swimming and Diving State Tournament Feb. 28-March 2 at the University of Minnesota.


Bennyhoff Places Second--
At State Wrestling Tournament
Sophomore Sam Bennyhoff became Westonka's first state wrestling finalist since 2007 with a second-place win in the Class AAA Individual Wrestling State Tournament March 1-2. The other six Westonka wrestlers also turned in solid performances at state.

 
Girls Basketball Ends Season--
With Section Loss to Richfield
The White Hawks girls basketball team ended its season with a loss to No. 1-seed Richfield in the section tournament on Feb. 26.
 
 
White Hawks Boys Basketball--
On to Section Round 2
The MWHS boys basketball team defeated Big Lake 65-60 on Wednesday, March 6 in the first round of the Section 5AAA Tournament. They will face No. 2-seed St. Cloud Apollo in the second round.

Upcoming Events

Friday, March 8

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

GMS Musical "The Little Mermaid", 7:00

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

 

Saturday, March 9

GMS Musical "The Little Mermaid", 2:00

Boys Basketball Section Semifinal, St. Cloud State University, 3:30

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

 

Sunday, March 10

GMS Musical "The Little Mermaid", 2:00

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

 

Monday, March 11

School Board Meeting, ESC 7:00

All-District Choir Concert, MWHS gym, 7:30

 

Tuesday, March 12

Hilltop Grades 1-4 Concert, MWHS gym, 6:00

 

Wednesday, March 13

College Visit, North Hennepin Community College, MWHS Guidance, 11:45

 

Thursday, March 14

College Visit, St. Catherine University, MWHS Guidance, 11:00

 

Friday, March 15

College Visit, University of Missouri, MWHS Guidance, 1:00

 

Monday, March 18

Spring Break begins

 

Looking Ahead

 

March 28

GMS & Shirley Hills Spring Picture Day

 

March 29

GMS Spring Fling

 

April 1

Teacher Workshop, No School

 

April 2

Hilltop Spring Picture Day

 

April 13

Pop Singers Ruby Red Gala

Westonka News Contact

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

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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