WESTONKA News ~ January 23, 2015  

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What's in Store for the Class of 2028?--
Watch our New District Video
Hilltop and Shirley Hills primary schools welcomed the Class of 2028 to Westonka Schools during Kindergarten Round-Up Jan. 13 and 15. Learn what's in store for these future White Hawks by watching our new district video:
Welcome to Westonka Public Schools
Welcome to Westonka Public Schools
Grandview Students Share Westonka's Past--
Using Technology of Today

Sixth-graders in Jessica Rashleger's classes at Grandview Middle School are making history--or are at least sharing it with others. Thanks to a unique collaboration between the school and the Westonka History Museum, museum visitors now have access to student research projects through the use of QR codes.

[History Lessons]

School Board Approves District Calendar--
For 2015-2016 School Year
The Westonka School Board approved the 2015-2016 district calendar at the Jan. 5 meeting. 

The first day of school for grades 1-12 is the Tuesday after Labor Day, Sept. 8. Thursday, June 2 is the last day of school in 2016.

The academic year calendars can be accessed on the district website www.westonka.k12.mn.us. Click on Calendars under About Us in the top navigation.

[15-16 Calendar]

Westonka's Creativity on Display--
In Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition

Continuing a rich tradition of Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards, Mound Westonka High School students earned one Gold Key Award, one Silver Key Award and five Honorable Mention Awards in the statewide art competition this year. 

[Key Winners]

'Band Geeks' Earns Outstanding Performance Nod--
From Hennepin Theatre Trust
After a successful run in November, the Mound Westonka High School 2014 fall musical production, "Band Geeks," was awarded Outstanding Overall Performance of a Musical by the Hennepin Theatre Trust SpotLight Musical Theatre Program. 

MWHS was also recognized for Outstanding Performance by a Chorus. Not only was the award a first for MWHS, it was the only school to receive the award this year.

[Outstanding 'Geeks']

Westonka Musicians Chosen--
For U of MN Honor Band
A pair of Mound Westonka High School musicians will participate in the 21st Annual University of Minnesota High School Honor Band this weekend. 

Senior clarinetist Kristina Hayhurst and sophomore oboist Adam Fish were chosen for this select group. 

[Band of Honor]

Prestigious Dorian Festival--
Features MWHS Senior Vocalists
Four Mound Westonka High School seniors were invited to take part in this year's prestigious Dorian Vocal Festival, hosted by Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, on Jan. 10-12.

[Vocal Festival]

Annual Dodgeball Tourney--
To Benefit Relay for Life
The 11th Annual Dodgeball Tournament for Charity at Mound Westonka High School will be held Wednesday, Jan. 28. Check-in for teams is at 6 p.m., and games are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. New this year, the championship will be played on Wednesday night. 

[Dodgeball for Life]

Westonka in the News
Abegglen, Wharram named ExCEL Representatives

School Board discusses standardized testing, calendar
Mark Femrite, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, presented the changes in Minnesota testing to the Westonka School Board at the Jan. 5 meeting.

Students test engineering principles
Engineering students at Mound Westonka High School took on a unique challenge at the first ever MWHS Engineering Regatta.

MWHA hosts NHL Alumni game
NHL Alumni joined four Westonka hockey players for a skills competition before competing in a friendly game along with coaches from the Mound Hockey Association ...

Research, design, build, then row your boat
Cardboard and a roll of duct tape were all that a group of Mound Westonka High School students had to create a boat that could carry two people. 
Lakeshore Weekly News

Video: MWHS Engineering Regatta
The first Mound Westonka High School Engineering Regatta was held Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the school's pool.
Sports Highlights

Hawkettes Capture Conference Championship

The Mound Westonka High School dance team earned a clean sweep at the Wright County Conference Championship Jan. 17, capturing first place in both the jazz and high kick divisions and winning the overall conference title.

 

[Conference Champs


Nordic Team Training, Bonding on MLK Day Trip

The Westonka Nordic skiers spent the long weekend Jan. 17-19 on a training and team bonding trip to Maplelag Ski Resort in Callaway, Minnesota. After returning from Up North, the White Hawks competed in the Twin Cities Nordic Ski Conference Relays Jan. 20 at Wirth Park. 

 

[Maplelag Trip]

 

Alpine Ski Enjoys Success on the Slopes

The Westonka Alpine ski team has been enjoying great success as it enters the busy part of the season. Junior Anson Kuznik led the boys team at the Jan. 13 Powder Ridge Invite with a second-place finish. On the girls side, sophomore Delaney Johnson brought home eighth place.

 

[Slope Success

 

White Hawks Bounce Back to Defeat Tigers

The White Hawks boys basketball team bounced back, after losing to Wayzata Jan. 13, with a come-from-behind victory at New-London Spicer on Jan. 17.

 

[Comeback Win]

 

White Hawks Wrestlers Go 3-1 on Week

The Mound Westonka High School wrestling team dropped a Wright County Conference dual but picked up three wins to improve its overall record to 7-3 on the season. The White Hawks travel to Minnetonka for a dual with the Skippers on Friday, Jan. 23.

 

[Record Improves]

 

Seniors Key in White Hawks Win Over Blake

The Westonka girls basketball team defeated Blake 53-46 in the last non-conference game of the season Jan. 13. White Hawks seniors Addie Clarke, Haley Martin, Molly Regan, Tavish Mackell and Cori Anderson all contributed to the away win. 

 

[Seniors Key

 

Senior Skaters Recognized

The Mound Westonka High School boys hockey team honored its senior players prior to the Jan. 13 home game against the Holy Family Fire. 

 

[Senior Skaters

 

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.

1/26
Prepare Your Own Will

LEGO Mania: Mission 2 Space - Hilltop (grades K-4)

Beginning Spanish

Infants and their Parents (ages 6-12 months)
1/27
Morning Book Club - Shirley Hills (grades 3-4)

Introduction to the iPad

Westonka Robotics Club (grades 8-12)

Make Your Own Pizza from Scratch - Shirley Hills (grades 1-4)
1/28
Learn How to Paint

Make Your Own Pizza from Scratch - Hilltop (grades 1-4)

Begin to Crochet

LEGO Mania: Mission 2 Space - Shirley Hills (grades K-4)

Baby Time (ages birth-6 months)

Puppy Love Art Class with Kidcreate Studio - Shirley Hills (grades K-4)
1/29
Puppy Love Art Class with Kidcreate Studio - Hilltop (grades K-4)
1/30
Sushi
1/31
Youth Basketball (grades K-1)

In-House Basketball League (grades 2-3)

NEW Parent/Child Cookie Making: Take & Bake

Preschool Basketball (ages 3-4)

 

   

Upcoming Events

Friday, January 23

Nordic Ski at Baker Park, TBD

Alpine Ski at Buck Hill, TBD

Wrestling at Minnetonka, 6:00

Pop Singers Show, MWHS, 7:00

Boys Basketball at Glencoe-Silver Lake, 7:00

Girls Basketball vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake, MWHS, 7:00

 

Saturday, January 24

Girls Basketball at Providence Academy, 8:30

Boys Hockey at Hutchinson, 3:00

 

Monday, January 26

8th-Grade Parent Information Night, MWHS, 7:00

School Board Meeting, ESC, 7:00

 

Tuesday, January 27

Nordic Ski at Theodore Wirth Park, TBD

Gymnastics at Watertown-Mayer, 6:00

Girls Basketball at Annandale, 7:00

Boys Basketball vs. Annandale, MWHS, 7:00

Boys Hockey vs. Waconia, Thaler Arena, 7:00

 

Wednesday, January 28

Charity Dodgeball Tournament, MWHS, 6:00

 

Thursday, January 29

Wrestling Quad at Wayzata, 5:45

Girls Basketball vs. Litchfield, 7:00

Girls Hockey at Orono, 7:00

 

Friday, January 30

Shirley Hills Winter Carnival

Wrestling Tri Meet, MWHS, 5:00

Boys Basketball at Litchfield, 7:00

Boys Hockey at Orono, 7:00

 

Saturday, January 31

Section 2AA Dance Tournament

Wrestling Invitational at Orono, 9:00

Girls Hockey vs. New Prague, Thaler Arena, 7:00

Senior Night, GMS Choir will sing National Anthem

 

Looking Ahead 

 

February 2

7th to 8th Grade Orientation, MWHS, 7:00

 

February 5

8th-9th Grade Distinguished Student Breakfast

Hilltop Science Fair

 

February 6

10th-12th Grade Distinguished Student Breakfast

Shirley Hills Read-a-Thon Kick-Off

 

February 7

ACT Test, MWHS

 

February 9

Hilltop PTA Meeting

School Board Meeting

 

February 13

NO SCHOOL - Parent Conferences

 

February 16

NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day

 

February 17

NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workshop

 

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

 

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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