WESTONKA News ~ September 5, 2014  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Borg Report
Back-to-School Photos
MCA Results
MN Ambassadors of Music
MWHS Celebrations
Spanish Classes
10 Years of Link Crew
Westonka Pop Singers
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Upcoming Events
Quick Links



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A New Year of Innovation, Excellence--
For Westonka Schools
Staff Kevin Borg Superintendent Westonka Pride was in full force this week as we began what is sure to be another successful school year. As I visited each of our buildings, I was motivated by the enthusiasm, energy and life our students and staff bring to our schools. I am excited to continue this positive momentum as we move ahead with new goals, a new vision and a strong commitment to academic excellence.

Please read the Borg Report to learn more.
 
Welcome Back, Westonka!--
Schools Share Back-to-School Photos 

Over 2,200 students went back to school in Westonka on Sept. 2. Check out photos from the first week of class in the Westonka School District, as well as photos from WEB and Link orientations at Grandview Middle School and Mound Westonka High School.
 
Westonka Students Score Among Best in State--
On Reading, Math and Science Assessments

According to data released last month from the Minnesota Department of Education, Westonka Public Schools remains a high academic performer, with students scoring among the top districts in the state on the spring 2014 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). 

 

Overall, 80 percent of Westonka students are proficient in reading, 81 percent are proficient in math and 70 percent are proficient in science. Westonka had the fifth highest percent proficient in reading in the state this year and the eighth highest percent proficient in math.

 
Westonka Musicians Tour Europe--
With Minnesota Ambassadors of Music


 
 

A total of 18 students and graduates from the Mound Westonka High School band and choir programs experienced the trip of a lifetime this summer. The group, accompanied by band director Gretchen Chilson, toured and performed across Europe with the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music, visiting England, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, and Germany in a whirlwind 16-day tour from July 6-21.

 
Drumroll, Please--
MWHS Celebrates Student Achievements

The new school year started with a drumroll, literally, at Mound Westonka High School on Sept. 2. As students assembled in the gym for the Student Celebration Assembly, members of the MWHS drum line put on a performance.

 

 

During the assembly, students were honored for the final quarter accomplishments of the 2013-2014 school year, including: 4.0 GPAs, "A" honor roll, most improved GPAs, perfect attendance for both the quarter and the entire previous school year, and the top AP scores from the previous year.
 
 

Learn Spanish in an Immersion Setting--
With the Westonka Spanish Program

Now in its ninth year, the Westonka Spanish Program offers exciting Spanish language classes that provide quality language instruction before and after school for children in kindergarten through grade 7. The program, coordinated by Westonka Community Education, works in partnership with the Westonka School District foreign language department. 

 

Registration is open through Monday, Sept. 15 online at www.westonkace.org or by using this form.

 
Mound Westonka High School Celebrates--
10 Years of Link Crew

 

The Mound Westonka High School Link Crew program is celebrating its 10th year. To kick off the exciting year, advisors hosted a Link Crew Reunion Aug. 7 and invited all of the leaders from past years. 

 

Over 80 members of the junior and senior classes make up the 2014-2015 ensemble of Link Crew leaders, who act as positive role models, motivators, student mentors and teachers for eighth- and ninth-grade students. 

 
New Pop Singers Director--
Brings Over 20 Years Experience

Sonja Graham brings over 20 years of experience with show choirs and performance to her role as director of the Westonka Pop Singers. Some highlights of her career include being a clinician for Minnesota Show Choir Camps, assisting nationally-known director Paul Gulsvig at Shell Lake Show Choir Camps; performing the role of Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense and producing large-scale musical revues.

Pop Singers auditions will be held Sunday, Sept. 14. To register, call Westonka Community Education at (952) 491-8040 or visit www.westonkace.org.

 
Westonka in the News
Westonka hires new primary school principal
Michael Moch reported to Westonka Public Schools to begin his role as principal of Hilltop Primary School.

Mound Westonka outmuscles Medford
Size matters; just ask the Medford football team. Squaring off against a universally bulky Class AAAA Mound Westonka team Friday, the Tigers struggled to gain any momentum ...
Sports Highlights

Catch a Sneak Peek--

Of the New Westonka Activities Website 

The Westonka Activities Department is transitioning to a new web home: http://westonka-activities.com/. The site is still under construction, but it will soon be the main source of information for White Hawks athletics and activities. Check it out! 

  

[Westonka-Activities.com]

  

White Hawks Football Wins Big--

In Season Opener

The White Hawks football team won its season opener for the first time since 2005, beating Medford 30-15 on Aug. 29. The White Hawks are on the road again tonight, traveling to Hutchinson to take on the two-time defending Class AAAA State Champion Tigers.

  

[1-0 White Hawks

  

White Hawks' Martin to Play D2 Basketball--

At Upper Iowa University

Mound Westonka High School senior basketball player Haley Martin recently gave her verbal commitment to play NCAA Division II basketball at Upper Iowa University.

 

[Martin Commits]

 

Girls Soccer Defeats Rockford--

In Home Opener 

The Mound Westonka High School girls varsity soccer team won its first game of the season during the White Hawks' home opener against the Rockford Rockets.

  

[Home Opener]

  

White Hawks Host Invite--

Win Duel Meet

The Mound Westonka-Holy Family girls swim and dive team had a busy week, hosting a five-team invitational on Aug. 26, followed by a duel meet against New Prague on Aug. 28.

 

[Hawks Host]

Upcoming Events
Friday, September 5

Shirley Hills Welcome Back Potluck, 5:00-7:00

Football at Hutchinson, 7:00

 

Saturday, September 6

Girls Tennis Invitational at St. Michael-Albertville, 9:00

Girls Volleyball Tournament, MWHS gym, 9:00

 

Monday, September 8

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

Girls Tennis at New London-Spicer, 4:15

Girls Soccer vs. Heritage Christian Academy, MWHS Haddorff Field, 7:00

School Board Meeting, ESC, 7:00

 

Tuesday, September 9

Shirley Hills Photo Make-Up Day

Cross Country Invitational at Norwood Young America, 4:00

Girls Tennis vs. Holy Family, MWHS, 4:15

Girls Soccer vs. Hutchinson at MWHS Haddorff Field 5:00

Boys Soccer vs. Hutchinson at MWHS Haddorff Field 7:00

Girls Volleyball vs. Orono, MWHS, 7:00

 

Wednesday, September 10

Grandview Read-a-Thon Kick-Off

Senior Retreat at St. John's

Parent Curriculum Night, MWHS, 7:00-8:30

 

Thursday, September 11

Hilltop Grade 3 Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM

Girls Tennis at Orono, 4:15

Girls Swim and Dive at Waconia, 6:00

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

 

Friday, September 12

Hilltop Grade 2 Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM

Girls Volleyball at Heritage Christian Academy, 5:30

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

   Youth Football Night - Players admitted free with jersey

 

Saturday, September 13

ACT Test - Out of District

 

Looking Ahead

 

September 15

Hilltop Grade 1 Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM

 

September 16

MWHS Photo Make-Up Day

 

September 17

Grandview Photo Make-Up Day 

 

Click here for the full 2014-2015 Westonka School District Calendar 

 

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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