WESTONKA News ~ September 12, 2014  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Borg Report
Newsweek Top High School
WSI China
First Day of Kindergarten
Westonka Spirit Store
State Fair Art Competition
Jr. Hawkettes Dance Clinic
Link Crew Drawings
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Community Ed. Classes
Upcoming Events
Quick Links



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A New Direction for Westonka Public Schools--
Board Announces 2014-2019 Strategic Plan 
Staff Kevin Borg Superintendent
The Westonka School Board has adopted the 2014-2019 Strategic Plan that recommits to our vision of an innovative district delivering educational excellence. With students as the center of our focus, the three goals of the plan transition the district from the foundational goals established in 2008 and form the basis for innovation and improvement over the next five years.

Read the Borg Report for the full plan. 
 
Mound Westonka Makes Newsweek's List--
Of America's Top High Schools 

Mound Westonka High School is one of the top public high schools in the nation, according to a report released Monday by Newsweek. The magazine's annual list of "America's Top High Schools" placed MWHS at No. 104 out of an initial pool of over 14,000 schools nationwide.  

 

MWHS was one of only nine Minnesota schools included in the 2014 rankings and was the fifth-highest-ranked Minnesota school. 

 
Life-Changing China Trip--
For Westonka Summer Institute Students 
 
During Westonka Summer Institute's fourth trip to China, students had the opportunity to learn about the global economy, explore Chinese history and culture and gain perspectives on China's role in the world market. For the first time, WSI students also had the opportunity to visit Westonka's sister school, Beijing Middle School No. 7.

 

"Going into the journey you think that you have an understanding of what you will experience, but once you are there it is nothing of how you imagined it-it's so much better," WSI teacher Pam Tremblay said.

 
Westonka Primaries Welcome--
Class of 2027 
Shirley Hills and Hilltop primary schools welcomed members of the class of 2027 to their first day of kindergarten on Sept. 4. It was a day of excitement, silliness and new friendships for the 143 new students, with only a few tears shed (mostly by the parents).
 
Show Your White Hawks Pride--
With New Spirit Wear 
VSA Custom Apparel is proud to be the new official spirit wear provider for the Westonka community.

New products are available through our new online spirit store: www.WestonkaWear.com 
 
Westonka Artists Rock--
At Minnesota State Fair  

Student artists from the Westonka School District historically have had a high number of ribbon winners at the Minnesota State Fair, and this year was no exception. From kindergartners to high school seniors, each grade was well represented as students brought home dozens of ribbons, despite stiff competition from across the state.

 
Register By Monday--
For Jr. Hawkettes Dance Clinic

The Hawkettes dance team invites aspiring young dancers, grades K-7, to a special one-day dance clinic Friday, Sept. 19. Participants will learn basic dance technique and a dance routine from Hawkettes dance team members, which they will perform along with the Hawkettes at that evening's varsity football game.

 

The cost for the clinic is $20 per dancer. The registration form and fee are due to the MWHS office by Monday, Sept. 15.
 
Link Crew Drawings--
Are for Everyone
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Link Crew, 10 monthly drawings will be held during the school year, in which anyone who enters is eligible to win a $100 Target gift card. 

The next drawing will be held at the White Hawks football game on Friday, Sept. 19. 
 
Westonka in the News
9 Minnesota Schools Make Newsweek Magazine's Top 500
Newsweek Magazine published its list Monday of America's top schools for 2014, and nine Minnesota schools made the list of 500.

Superintendent Borg welcomes community back to school
As superintendent of the Westonka School District, it is my pleasure to welcome students, families and staff to the 2014-2015 school year.

MWHS students tour Europe as music ambassadors
A total of 18 students and graduates from the MWHS band and choir programs experienced the trip of a lifetime this summer. 

Link Crew reunited, celebrates decade of program
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 ...

NDSU welcomes new students, including MWHS grad Randklev
North Dakota State University's incoming class was officially welcomed to fall semester ...

Cheerleaders ready to pump up the crowds at Haddorff Stadium
The White Hawks cheerleaders are ready to pump up the crowd at football games. The squad this year includes 13 girls ...
Sports Highlights

White Hawks Hold Off Hutch

After a 0-2 start, the White Hawks varsity girls soccer team now has a 4-2 record after defeating the Hutchison Tigers 2-0 at home on Sept. 9. The team will face off against Southwest Christian Academy on Sept. 13.

  

[Soccer Shutout] 

  

Runners Compete in Gerry Smith Invite

The Mound Westonka High School boys and girls cross country runners competed in the Gerry Smith Invitational Sept. 4 in Montgomery, Minn. The boys team finished 11th out of 25 teams, and the two girls competing finished in 18th and 54th out of 145 runners.  

 

[CC Competes] 

 

White Hawks Earn PRs, Fall to Spartans

The White Hawks girls swim and dive team suffered disappointment last week, losing their dual meet against Orono Sept. 4 despite many of the girls recording personal best times of the season.

  

[Girls Swim] 

 

Girls Tennis Served First Conference Loss

After four consecutive Wright County Conference wins, the girls tennis team lost its first conference match to Holy Family Sept. 9. The loss brought the White Hawks' overall record to 12-3 and 4-1 in the conference.

 

[Tennis Served] 

  

Mack Named Defensive Player of the Week

2013 Mound Westonka High School graduate Callie Mack has been named Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week. Mack is the libero for the NCAA Division I University of Akron Zips volleyball team.

  

[Alumna Recognized]

Upcoming 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.

9/15
Twos (ages 24-36 months)

Infants (ages birth-12 months) and their parents
9/16
Individual Guitar Lessons (ages 6+)

Electric Car (large size) Engineering Class (grades 4-6)

Older Twos (ages 29-40 months)

Tuesday Toddlers (ages 12-24 months)
9/17
Zumba Dance & Fitness

Sibling Care - Wednesday Toddlers (first child)

ECFE Family Time (ages birth to 5 years)

Wednesday Toddlers (ages 12-24 months)
9/18
NEW - What Do I Do With These Apples?

Junior Afterschool Farmers (grades 1-4)

Wills, Trusts and Other Estate Planning Tools
9/19
Wee Ones Playtime Series
9/20
American Square Dancing (Families, Brush-up & New Students)

Chef's Harvest Meal at Gale Woods
9/21
Learn-to-Skate Lessons (ages 4-13)

 

   

Upcoming Events
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

Volleyball Invitational at Heritage Christian Academy, 8:00

Girls Tennis Invitational at Buffalo, 9:00

Girls Soccer at Southwest Christian, 1:00

Boys Soccer at Southwest Christian, 3:00

 

Sunday, September 14

Pop Singers Auditions (grades 9-12), 3:00-6:00

 

Monday, September 15

Jr. Hawkettes Dance Clinic Registration Due

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

Grades K-8 Spanish Program Deadline to Register

Girls Tennis vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake, MWHS, 4:15

Girls Soccer vs. Watertown-Mayer, MWHS, 5:00

Boys Soccer vs. Robbinsdale Cooper, MWHS, 7:00

 

Tuesday, September 16

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

MWHS Photo Make-Up Day

Cross Country Invitational at Gale Woods, 3:30

Girls Tennis vs. Hutchinson, MWHS, 4:15

Boys Soccer at Holy Family, 5:00

Shirley Hills PTA Meeting, 6:30-8:00

 

Wednesday, September 17

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

Grandview Photo Make-Up Day

Grades K-8 Spanish Program Parent Info Night, ESC, 6:00

Pop Singers Parent Meeting, MWHS, 7:30

 

Thursday, September 18

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

Girls Tennis at Delano, 4:15

Girls Soccer at Holy Family, 5:00

Girls Swim and Dive vs. Litchfield, MWHS, 6:00

Volleyball at Dassel-Cokato, 7:00

 

Friday, September 19

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

Jr. Hawkettes Dance Clinic, 3:45-5:30

Football vs. Annandale, MWHS, 7:00

  Senior Night

  HT and SH 4th-graders perform

Link Crew Dance, MWHS, 8:30 - 11:00 

 

Looking Ahead

 

September 22

School Board Meeting, ESC, 7:00

 

September 24

9th Grade Respect Retreat

 

October 4

Hilltop Octoberfest Fall Carnival

 

October 5

Homecoming Coronation

 

October 10

Homecoming Parade and Football Game

 

October 11

MWHS Homecoming Dance

 

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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