Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News ~ November 1, 2013  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
GMS Halloween Party
DECA Leaders
Annual Report
Halloween Band Concerts
Organics Recycling
Fall Musical
School Board Election
Volleyball Spiketacular
Band Art Fair Fundraiser
Karate Kid
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Community Ed. Classes
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





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Grandview Ghouls & Goblins--
Enjoy Halloween Haunt

Over 400 Grandview Middle School students attended the annual Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the school. 

 

The event included a haunted hallway, a variety of games, refreshments and prizes for costumes. 

 
DECA Students Make it Count at Fall Conference--
Maahs Elected to State Action Team
Fifty-seven Mound Westonka High School DECA students attended the 2013 DECA Fall Leadership Conference Oct. 27 and 28 in Minneapolis. MWHS senior Willie Maahs, pictured above with 2013 MWHS graduate Paige Beyer, was elected to the Minnesota DECA State Action Team as Vice President of Special Projects.
 
2012-2013 Annual Report--
Now Available Online

The Westonka Public Schools 2012-2013 Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Achievement is now available online. 

 

The report features student achievement data, revenue and expenditures information and district highlights from last school year. 

 

 A hard copy of the report may be requested by calling (952) 491-8007. Online availability of the accountability report saves about $3,000 in costs related to print distribution.

 
Halloween Band Concerts--
Entertain Youngsters
Members of the Mound Westonka High School Wind Ensemble, decked out in a variety of fun and silly costumes, performed a series of short concerts Halloween morning at Grandview Middle School, Shirley Hills and Hilltop primary schools and Our Lady of the Lake school.  
 
The wind ensemble performed "Tunes that Go Bump in the Night" and selections from their pep band folder, including the spooky-sounding "Jaws" and "Darth Vader" themes.
 
Organics Recycling Initiative--
Saving Resources, Saving Money
During the 2011-2012 school year, the Westonka School District piloted an organics recycling program at Mound Westonka High School, thanks to a $24,000 grant from Hennepin County Environmental Services. As of last year, all Westonka schools are recycling their organics.
 
Westonka's recycling program not only helps preserve natural resources, it also saves the district money on waste removal. Last year, Westonka saved a total of $1,079.82.
 
Something for Everyone--
In MWHS Production of 'Copacabana'

Mound Westonka High School's award winning theater department is proud to present "Copacabana," a new musical comedy by Barry Manilow.

 

Performances will be held in the MWHS Little Theater on Nov. 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online or by visiting the MWHS Activities Office during school hours.

 

Don't Forget to Vote!--
Nov. 5 Westonka School Board Election
Westonka District logo
The Westonka School District will have a general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to elect three school board members for four-year terms. The candidates are Loren D. Davis, Gina Smith, Pete Wiechert and Gary W. Wollner. 
 
In-person absentee voting will continue at the Westonka Educational Service Center during regular business hours until 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4.
 
Mark Your Calendars--
For the Annual Volleyball Spiketacular
The Sixth Annual Westonka Volleyball Spiketacular will take place Nov. 4 and 6 at Mound Westonka High School. This year's competing teams are comprised of MWHS students, parents and staff, as well as members of the Westonka community. The Spiketacular is a fundraiser for the Westonka volleyball program. 
 
What: Sixth Annual Westonka Volleyball Spiketacular
When: Nov. 4 and 6 at 6 p.m.
Where: Mound Westonka High School
Admission is $3 or $2 with a food shelf donation
 
Westonka Band Program--
Hosts Arts & Crafts Fair
The Mound Westonka High School bands will host an arts and crafts fair on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grandview Middle School. Over 40 vendors will participate, featuring items such as homemade dog treats, candles, essential oils, jewelry, Swannys necklaces and more.
 
Grandview's Own Karate Kid--
Earns First-Degree Black Belt
Grandview Middle School fifth-grader Olivia Gable earned a first-degree black belt in karate on Oct. 12, during a graduation ceremony at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
 
Gable has practiced karate for over 3.5 years at Dojo Karate in Waconia and has earned 10 belts prior to getting her black belt.  
 
Westonka in the News
Blog Highlights Positivity At West Metro HS
There are several stories out there about students using the internet to tease and bully, but one west metro school is hoping to change that trend.

Stroll-a-thon raises funds for early childhood programs
Despite a damp, cloudy start to the day which prompted organizers to move the annual ECFE Stroll-a-Thon indoors, the event drew 125 participants ...

Westonka cross country ends season with 'best' meet this year
Eight teams battled it out on a cool and rainy afternoon Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Watertown, and the White Hawk harriers collectively came out on top.

Swim and dive end dual meet season, honor seniors with a splash
Five Mound Westonka-Holy Family senior swimmers were able to finish their duel meet season with a win at home against the Litchfield Dragons. 

2013 varsity wrestling cheerleading squad named

The tryouts for the 2013 varsity cheerleading team went off without a hitch, and 20 girls tried out.

The Laker 

Sports Highlights
Five White Hawks Earn All-Conference--
Team Takes Fourth Overall

The Mound Westonka-Holy Family girls swim and dive team competed in the Wright County Conference Championship meet in Hutchinson on Oct. 26. The team placed fourth out of seven teams, coming in behind Hutchinson, Dassel-Cokato and Orono. 

 
Next Week's Community Ed. Classes
Check out the Westonka Community Education Classes starting next week! 

For more information, visit www.westonkace.org or call 
(952) 491-8040.

11/4
How to Get Into College and Pay for It - Without Unmanageable Debt

11/5
Drivers' Education (students ages 14.5+)

Tae Kwon Do Little Dragons (ages 4-6)

After School Movie Club (grade 5)

Chef's Academy - Homemade Pasta (grades 1-4) - Shirley Hills

Microsoft Excel 2010, Part I

Tae Kwon Do (ages 7+)

11/6
Zumba Dance & Fitness
Movie Night with My Doll - Kidcreate - Shirley Hills

Chef's Academy - Homemade Pasta (grades 1-4) - Hilltop

Learn How to Paint

After School Tae Kwon Do (ages 7+)

11/7
Private Violin Lessons (grades 2+)

Sign Language for Babies and Toddlers

Group Hypnosis to Lose Weight and Stop Smoking/Chewing Tobacco

Group Hypnosis to Lose Weight

Adult Baking - Lefse

Fall Fencing (grades 2-10)

Movie Night With My Doll - Kidcreate - Hilltop

Group Hypnosis to Stop Smoking/Chewing Tobacco

11/8
Dock Theaters and Onsite Fun at Shirley Hills (grades K-7)

11/9
Self Defense for Women (ages 15+)

Alone at Home (ages 8-11)

Upcoming Events

Friday, November 1

Shirley Hills Fall Book Fair Begins

Shirley Hills Grandfriends Day

 

Saturday, November 2

Hilltop Clix Family Photo Day, 8:00-3:00

Cross Country State Tournament, St. Olaf, Northfield, 1:00

Crystal Gravelle Benefit, 3:00, Watertown

 

Monday, November 4

GMS Penny Wars begins

Hilltop & Shirley Hills Parent Conferences, 4:00-8:00

Volleyball Spiketacular, MWHS gym, 6:00

   Admission $3 or $2 with a donation for the Food Shelf

 

Tuesday, November 5

Election Day

 

Wednesday, November 6

Volleyball Spiketacular, MWHS gym, 6:00

   Admission $3 or $2 with a donation for the Food Shelf

 

Thursday, November 7

Hilltop and Shirley Hills Parent Conferences, 4:00-8:00

Shirley Hills Book Fair Open

MWHS Fall Musical "Copacabana ", Theater, 7:30

 

Friday, November 8

No School - Teacher Workshop

Hilltop and Shirley Hills Parent Conferences, 8:00-4:00

Shirley Hills Book Fair Open

MWHS Fall Musical "Copacabana", Theater, 7:30

No Westonka News

 

Saturday, November 9

Girls Hockey at Shakopee, 6:00

MWHS Fall Musical "Copacabana", Theater, 7:30

 

Sunday, November 10

MWHS Fall Musical "Copacabana", Theater, 2:00

Shirley Hills Family Roller Skating Night, 5:00-7:00

    St. Louis Park Roller Garden

 

Looking Ahead

 

November 11

No School - Teacher Workshop

 

November 12

School Board Meeting, ESC, 7:00

Girls Hockey at South St. Paul, 7:00

 

November 14

ACT Practice Test, 8:00-12:00

Girls Hockey vs. Northfield, Thaler Arena, 7:00

 

November 15

MWHS Staff Appreciation Breakfast

 

November 16

Girls Hockey vs. Washburn, Thaler Arena, 3:00

 

November 25

Hilltop Toy, Hat and Mitten Drive Begins

 

November 28-29

Thanksgiving Break

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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