WESTONKA News ~ December 20, 2013  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Skype Connections
TIES Technology Conference
Grandview WeCAN Drive
Pop Singers
Hilltop WeCAN Drive
December Feature Teacher
Westonka Flyers Swim Club
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Community Ed. Classes
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





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From Westonka to Dubai--
Students Make Connections Via Skype
Kindergarteners at Hilltop Primary School traveled to Dubai earlier this month during their first "virtual fieldtrip" using Skype. 
 
Since the launch of the EDGE21 Technology Plan earlier this year, Westonka teachers across the district have been finding increasingly innovative ways to enhance student learning through the use of technology. This includes utilizing programs like Skype to build connections and to give students a global perspective.
 
Westonka Tech Leaders Present at TIES--
Thomas, Thorpe Named 'Exceptional Teachers'
 
Thirty-one Westonka educators were challenged to "Fast Forward" into the future of education at the TIES 2013 Education Technology Conference Dec. 16 and 17. Five Westonka teachers also presented at the conference on topics ranging from blogging to "flipped" classrooms.
 
Grandview Middle School language arts teacher Julie Thomas and Shirley Hills Primary School kindergarten teacher Aaron Thorpe each received the TIES Exceptional Teacher Award, which recognizes teachers who model the best practices in their classrooms and engage students in learning.
 
Grandview Has WeCAN-Do Attitude--
Collects Over $2,000 in Needed Items
With lights flashing and sirens blaring, four squad cars left Grandview Middle School Dec. 13 on an important mission. 
 
Along with local police officers and six Grandview students, the vehicles transported over $2,000 worth of paper products, cleaning supplies, toys and personal care items to Western Communities Action Network (WeCAN) in Mound.
 
Westonka Pop Singers--
Celebrate the Season
 

The Westonka Pop Singers have had a busy month performing seasonal music for the community. The annual Pop Singers Holiday Shows were held Dec. 13 and 14, and good-sized crowds enjoyed the performance each night. On Dec. 17, the group performed for over 100 community members at the Mound-Westonka Rotary's annual holiday luncheon at the Lafayette Club.

 

Hilltop WeCAN Drive--
Is Huge Success

Hilltop Student Council advisors delivered a vehicle full of goods to Western Communities Action Network (WeCAN) on Dec. 13. 

 

The student council collected cleaning supplies, diapers, wipes, hats and mittens daily for two weeks during the school's annual WeCAN Drive.

 

Westonka Congratulates Heather Ehalt--
Lord Fletcher's December Feature Teacher
Hilltop Primary School teacher Heather Ehalt has been named the Lord Fletcher's Feature Teacher for December. Ehalt has taught first grade at Hilltop for six years.
 
"I am so proud of Heather and all that she has accomplished as a teacher," Hilltop Principal Nancy Benz said. "She is an educator that leads by example and is willing to go the 'extra mile' for every child." 
 
There's a New Swim Club in Town!--
Introducing the Westonka Flyers
green-swimming-goggles.jpg The Westonka Flyers Swim Club's inaugural season has just begun, and they are looking for swimmers. 
 
The goal of the year-round, competitive swim club is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to international competitor. 
 
Westonka in the News
ALUMNI IN THE NEWS
RoughRiders Defenseman Chooses Yale University
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Charlie Curti has committed to play collegiate hockey at Yale University following his USHL career.
 
Sports briefs 
Ryan Strother of Mound is a member of the Denison University men's swimming and diving team.  

 

THE LAKER

Westonka girls basketball sinks first win

The White Hawks girls basketball team edged out Waconia for a 93-91 win, the team's first win of the season.

 

Mound Westonka Hawkettes dance as defending WCC champs

The Mound Westonka Hawkettes dance team has a goal to keep improving with each competition

 

The bowling team season ended with a ninth place finish at state.    

 

The White Hawks girls hockey team went into overtime play with Chaska/Chanhassen Saturday, Dec. 7, and came out with a 2-2 tie. 
 

The Mound Westonka boys hockey team secured a 1-1 tie with Irondale after overtime play on Thursday, Dec. 5.  

 

The White Hawks boys basketball team fell to three opponents in the last week.

  

White Hawks wrestlers capture Fridley Invite title  

The Mound Westonka White Hawks wrestling squad captured its first-ever Fridley Invitational team championship on Saturday, Dec. 7.

 
OTHER NEWS
Noteworthy
Liz Schepers, a freshman forward, paced the Mound Westonka girls' hockey team to back-to-back shutout victories ... 
 
From the Notebook: White Hawks shut out Lions 
The Mound Westonka White Hawks improved to 3-2-1 on the season with a 6-0 victory over Providence Academy on Saturday, Dec. 14.  

 

Area wrestling teams grapple in competitive tournaments 
The high school wrestling season is well underway and teams from Minnetonka, Wayzata, Orono and MoundWestonka were all in action last weekend.  
Sports Highlights
White Hawks Win Big--
At Providence Academy

Last season, the White Hawks boys hockey team lost a 3-2 overtime heartbreaker to Providence Academy. This year, on Dec. 14, the White Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the first period and never looked back, winning the game 6-0.

 

[Solid Shutout]

  

White Hawks Lose Two Close Duals--

Place Top Eight at Paul Bunyan Invite

The MWHS wrestling team opened Wright County Conference action Dec. 12, dropping two close dual meets to Annandale/Maple Lake and New London-Spicer. The White Hawks placed six of the nine wrestlers who competed at the Paul Bunyan Invite on Dec. 13, with two champions: freshman Neil Schmalz and junior Sam Bennyhoff.

 

[Conference Challengers]

 

Hawkettes Finish First Half of Season--

Have Postseason Hopes

The MWHS Hawkettes finished the first half of their competitive season before heading into winter break. This season, the Hawkettes have put together a fun and entertaining routine inspired by the musical "Newsies."

  

[Seizing the Day] 

  

Boys Hockey Defeats Dragons--

Falls to Fire

The MWHS boys hockey team had another strong game on Dec. 17, taking down the Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato Dragons 6-2. On Dec. 19, the White Hawks lost a tough contest to the Holy Family Fire, 5-1.

 

[More Hockey!]

 

First Race of the Season--

For Westonka Alpine Ski

The Westonka Alpine Ski Team held its first race of the season at Hyland Hills on Dec. 16. Mound Westonka High School senior Willie Maahs had a podium finish, ending the race in third place. 

 

[Downhill Debut] 

Upcoming Community Ed. Classes
Check out the Westonka Community Education Classes starting in the next few weeks! 

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

12/30
Winters on the Lake with Jake (grades 5-8)
1/4
Beginning Belly Dance I

Water Safety Instructor Certification (WSI ages 16+)
1/5
Learn-to-Skate Lessons (ages 4-13)
1/6
Individual Piano Lessons (grade 2-adult)

Middle School Dance Team (grades 5-7)
1/7
Tae Kwon Do (ages 7+)

Tae Kwon Do Little Dragons (ages 4-6)
1/8
After School Tae Kwon Do (ages 7+)

Zumba Dance & Fitness
1/9
NEW Kindermusik Wiggle & Grow Family: Marvelous Me Class
1/10
Ooey-Gooey Family Time
1/11
Quilting: Beg. Rotary Cutting & Machine Piecing 101

Youth Basketball (grades 2-3) In-House League

Youth Basketball (kindergarten)

Winters on the Lake with Jake (grades 5-8)

Youth Basketball (grade 1)

Preschool Basketball (ages 3-4)

Upcoming Events

December 20

Last day of school before winter break

Gymnastics at Waconia, 6:00

Girls Hockey at Duluth, 7:00

Boys Basketball vs. Waconia, MWHS, 7:15

 

December 21

Girls Hockey at Proctor, 3:00

 

Wednesday, December 25

Christmas Day

 

Thursday, December 26

Boys Hockey Tournament, Little Falls, TBD

 

Friday, December 27

No Westonka News

Boys Hockey Tournament, Little Falls, 2:00

Girls Basketball Tournament at St. Peter, 2:00

                 

Saturday, December 28

Boys Hockey Tournament, Little Falls, TBD

Girls Basketball Tournament at St. Peter, 2:00

 

Wednesday, January 1

New Year's Day

Last Day of Winter Break

 

Thursday, January 2

School resumes

Nordic Skiing at Battle Creek, TBD

Boys Hockey at Monticello, 7:00

 

Friday, January 3

No Westonka News

Wrestling Invitational at Hibbing, 4:00

Boys Basketball vs. Norwood Young America, MWHS, 7:30

 

Saturday, January 4

Dance Team Invitational at Belle Plaine, TBD

Wrestling Invitational at Hibbing, 10:00

Gymnastics at Watertown-Mayer, 1:00

Girls Hockey at Hutchinson, 2:00

Girls Basketball at Sauk-Rapids-Rice, 2:45

Boys Hockey vs. Shakopee, Thaler Arena, 3:00

                 

Monday, January 6

Shirley Hills "Caring for Our Community" Kick-off

School Board Meeting, ESC, 7:00

 

Tuesday, January 7

Nordic Ski, Wirth Park, TBD

Girls Hockey at Totino-Grace, 7:00

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

Girls Basketball at Delano, 7:15

Boys Basketball vs. Delano, MWHS, 7:15

 

Thursday, January 9

Shirley Hills Caring for Our Community Morning, 7:45

Wrestling at Waconia, 5:00

Gymnastics at Delano, 6:00

Dance Team Conference Tournament, Holy Family, 6:30

Boys Hockey at Delano, 7:00

Girls Hockey vs. St. Francis, Thaler Arena, 7:00

 

Friday, January 10

Next Westonka News

Wrestling at Minnetonka, 5:00

Boys Basketball at Glencoe-Silver Lake, MWHS, 7:15

Girls Basketball vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake, MWHS, 7:15

 

Looking Ahead

 

January 11

DECA District Competition

WCC Honor Band/Choir Competition

 

January 17

GMS Winter Blast

 

January 20

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Teacher Workshop, no school

 

January 21

Shirley Hills Kindergarten Round-Up

 

January 23

Hilltop Kindergarten Round-Up

 

January 27, 29

MWHS Student Senate Dodgeball Tournament

Westonka News Contact

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

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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