Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News ~ September 13, 2013  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Student Senate
Facilities Update
State Fair Artwork
MWHS Welcome Celebration
ADSIS Grant
PACER Workshop
All-State Music
Mental Health Services
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





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MWHS Student Senate Hard at Work--
Promoting Spirit, Participation
Dozens of American flags lining the driveway and sidewalks greeted Mound Westonka High School students and staff when they arrived at school on Sept. 11. The memorial was organized by the MWHS Student Senate, with flags donated by the American Legion.

Even though the new school year started just over a week ago, members of the Student Senate are already hard at work to promote spirit and participation within the school.
Westonka Facilities Update--
Final Projects Nearing Completion
The last of the district's 2013 construction projects are nearing completion. Lunch was served this week from the newly-renovated Shirley Hills kitchen, the girls swim and dive team held practice in the Mound Westonka High School pool, and the two high school phy. ed locker rooms are now in use. Construction is wrapping up on the two high school activities locker rooms, the two upper-level MWHS bathrooms and other select projects.
 
Save the Date - 
Oct. 15 Mound Westonka High School Facilities Open House

Westonka Art Students Wrap Up Ribbons--
At Minnesota State Fair
The Westonka School District was well represented at the 2013 Minnesota State Fair, where 150 ribbons were awarded to students from every school and grade level in the district. 
 
The competition was stiff, as judges viewed over 3,000 pieces of art from across the state. 
MWHS Welcome Assembly--
Celebrates Student Achievement
Mound Westonka High School kicked off the new school year Sept. 3 with a Welcome Celebration Assembly highlighting student achievement from the fourth quarter of last school year. The assembly introduced new teachers and this year's foreign exchange students. It also included a performance by the Hawkettes Dance Team.
Westonka Awarded ADSIS Grant--
Adds Six Positions
The Westonka School District was awarded $431,000 annual state funding for Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional Services (ADSIS) under Minnesota Statute 125A.50. 
 
The purpose of this two-year initiative is to provide direct instruction and services to K-12 students who may need additional academic and behavioral supports to succeed in the general education environment and who might eventually qualify for special education if prevention services were not available.
PACER Center Workshop Sept. 26--
'Use the IEP to Help Your Child'
PACER Center will present "Using the IEP to Help Your Child: A Guide for Minnesota Parents to the IEP" on Sept. 26. PACER staff will use the booklet "Guide for Minnesota Parents to the IEP" to share how each required part of the IEP can be developed to meet a child's needs.

 

When: Thursday, Sept. 26, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Where: Mound Westonka High School

 

The workshop is FREE. For information and to register, call (952) 838-9000 or visit PACER.org/workshops.


Banner Year--
For MWHS All-State Musicians
Ryan, Montgomery & Sheehan
Following a highly competitive audition process last spring, four Mound Westonka High School musicians were selected for prestigious All-State music groups.
 
Senior Elle Montgomery was selected for the All-State Women's Choir, and juniors Hogan Ryan and Matthew Sheehan were chosen for the All-State Men's Choir. 
Battis
 
 
 
Junior percussionist Nick Battis was chosen to represent the MWHS Symphonic Band in the All-State Orchestra.
Full-Time Mental Health Therapy--
Offered at No Cost to District
For the 2013-2014 school year, five mental health therapists employed by Nystrom & Associates, Ltd. will provide co-located mental health therapy for Westonka students who qualify. These services are offered at no cost to the district and are paid for with a Department of Human Services grant and family insurance.
Westonka in the News
From the Notebook 
The Mound Westonka White Hawks dropped to 0-2 on the season with a 38-18 loss to Blue Earth Area High School last Friday night. 
 
New Activities director moves past turbulence 
Jeffrey Peterson isn't worried about much heading into his first full year as Mound Westonka High School activities director. 
 
Area schools succeed in reducing achievement gap 
The latest MMR and FR assessment results showed no West Metro schools had been placed on the Priority or Focus lists.  

Digging back to school at Shirley Hills 
It's back to school time, and that means enjoying the new features of summer construction at Shirley Hills Primary School.  
 
Westonka football cheerleaders to add stunts this season
The football cheerleading squad is excited to add stunts to its routine later this season, according to coach Debbie Priefer. 

Westonka girls varsity soccer posts two wins for the week
The Westonka girls soccer team traveled to Glencoe on Aug. 29 for a match against the Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers. 

Volleyball looks to keep last year's momentum rolling with young team
The girls volleyball team hopes to match its success last season that ended at a trip to the section quarterfinal. 

Girls tennis faces tough section but posts wins
The girls tennis team has started its season with some wins and close conference match.

Westonka boys soccer kicks off season 1-2 overall
On Saturday, Aug. 24, the Westonka boys varsity soccer team kicked off the 2013 season suffering a tough opening season 8-0 loss ...

Westonka cross country sees good results at first meet
The cross country team had good results at its first meet in Maple Lake last weekend.
Sports Highlights
White Hawks Show Depth--
In Tough September Contests

The White Hawks girls swim and dive team turned in strong individual and relay performances in its Sept. 5 dual meet against Hutchinson and in the Maroon & Gold Invitational at the University of Minnesota on Sept. 7.

[Pool Performers]


Get Live Online Coverage of Westonka Football--
As the White Hawks Take on the Fire
A free live broadcast-stream of the Friday, Sept. 13 football game featuring the Mound Westonka White Hawks and the Holy Family Fire is available online, courtesy of the Minnesota Sports Broadcast Network. Fans can go to Mnsportsnetwork.com roughly 15 minutes before the 7 p.m. kickoff for the start of pregame coverage. Live statistics, a real-time scoreboard, live visual depictions and interactive email communication are also available.


White Hawks Varsity Volleyball--
Sets Up 2013 Season
The MWHS varsity volleyball team overcame obstacles at the beginning of its season and has shown strength in first contests. The White Hawks lost their first match at New London-Spicer 0-3 on Sept. 5 and went 1-2 in pool play of their annual invitational on Sept. 7.
 
 
Remember to Submit--
Your Fall Sports Stories! 
Coaches and/or parent PR volunteers are encouraged to help Westonka News publish the most up-to-date White Hawks news by submitting team highlights and photos each week. The deadline is always Tuesday noon for Friday's newsletter.
 
Upcoming Events

Friday, September 13

Hilltop Grade 4 Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM

Girls Volleyball at Heritage Christian Academy, 5:30

Football at Holy Family, 7:00

 

Friday, September 13

Girls Volleyball Tournament at Heritage Christian Academy, 5:00

Football at Holy Family, 7:00

 

Saturday, September 14

Girls Volleyball Tournament at Heritage Christian Academy, 10:00

Girls Tennis Invitational at Buffalo, 9:00

 

Monday, September 16

Hilltop Grade 2 parent meeting, 7:50 - 8:30 AM

Girls Tennis at New London-Spicer, 4:15 (rescheduled from 9-9-13)

Girls Soccer at Irondale, 6:00

Volleyball at Sibley East, 7:30

 

Tuesday, September 17

Shirley Hills Grade 1 Curriculum Morning, 8:00 - 8:45

GMS Magazine Sale Begins

MWHS Photo Make-up Day, 7:45 - 10:20

Cross Country Invitational at Gale Woods, 4:00

Girls Tennis vs. Delano at MWHS, 4:15

Girls Soccer vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake, MWHS Haddorff Field, 5:00

Girls Swim and Dive at Buffalo, 6:00

Boys Soccer vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake, MWHS Haddorff Field, 7:00

Volleyball at Watertown Mayer, 7:15

 

Wednesday, September 18

Shirley Hills Grade 2 Curriculum Morning, 8:00 - 8:45

Grandview Photo Make-Up Day

 

Thursday, September 19

Shirley Hills Grade 3 Curriculum Morning, 8:00 - 8:45

Girls Tennis vs. Litchfield, MWHS, 4:15

Boys Soccer at Hutchinson, 5:00

Girls Swim & Dive at Orono, 6:00

Girls Soccer at Hutchinson, 7:00

Volleyball vs. Dassel-Cokato, MWHS, 7:00

 

Friday, September 20

Shirley Hills Grade 4 Curriculum Morning, 8:00 - 8:45

Jr. Hawkettes Dance Clinic, MWHS Cafeteria, 3:45

Football vs. Delano, MWHS Haddorff Field, 7:00

Hilltop & Shirley Hills Fourth-Graders Sing

Link Crew Dance, MWHS, 8:30 - 10:30

 

Saturday, September 21

Family Fun Run/Walk at Minnetonka Orchards

Volleyball Invitational at MWHS, 9:00

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

(Diving off-site at 9:00)

Boys Soccer at Orono, 1:00

Girls Soccer at Orono, 3:00 

 

Looking Ahead

 

September 23

School Board Meeting

 

September 24

Shirley Hills School Picture Day

 

September 25

9th Grade Respect Retreat

 

September 26

PACER Center Workshop

 

September 29

Homecoming Coronation

 

October 4

Homecoming Parade and Football Game

 

October 5

MWHS Homecoming Dance

Westonka News Contact

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

Becca Neuger
Communications Coordinator 
Westonka Public Schools

5901 Sunnyfield Rd E   

Minnetrista MN 55364

952.491.8003 | www.westonka.k12.mn.us  
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