
	WESTONKA News ~ March 6, 2015

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™

White Hawks Community Award Deadline Approaches--

Nominations Due March 15

The deadline for nominating an individual or group for the Westonka White Hawks Community Award is quickly approaching. Beginning in 2015, the Westonka School District each year will present up to three White Hawks Community Awards to recognize outstanding service and commitment to Westonka students and the district. The deadline for submitting a nomination this year is March 15.

Please read the Borg Report for details on the nomination process.

[Borg Report]

It's March (Book) Madness--

At Grandview Middle School

Tournament brackets are out, and the No. 1 overall seed went to ... Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Although the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship won't kick off until later this month, March Madness is in full swing at Grandview Middle School. This year, the middle school students and staff are participating in a fun new tournament that will crown the top book of the year.

[March Madness]

Mystery Readers Join Read-a-Thons-- *At Westonka Primary Schools*
Shirley Hills and Hilltop primary schools celebrated I Love to Read Month in February with a pair of Read-a-Thon events. Students at each school spent a total of 120 minutes reading on Feb. 27. They were asked to collect pledges from friends, family and neighbors for their reading efforts, with all funds going to support the schools. [Mystery Readers]

Westonka Sends 21 Students to State-- *In Destination Imagination*
Five Westonka teams competed in the Destination Imagination regional tournament on Feb. 21, and four of the teams earned the opportunity to compete at the state level. The Destination Imagination State Tournament will be held April 21 at Champlin Park High School. [Destination: State]

Student Artwork on Exhibit During Youth Art Month-- *Westonka First-Grader Wins Honorable Mention Award*
Eight student artists are representing the Westonka School District in the 2015 Youth Art Month competition and exhibition, presented by Art Educators of Minnesota. Shirley Hills Primary School first-grader Lily Leger received Honorable Mention at the elementary level of the statewide competition for her butterfly piece done in chalk. [Youth Art Month]

MWHS Recognizes Second Quarter Achievements-- *With High Seas Celebration*
Mound Westonka High School celebrated second quarter student achievements with a week-long pirate-themed event. The celebration culminated in a student-wide assembly on Feb. 27. Staff members roamed the halls that day in full pirate attire, some even complete with a hook! [High Seas Celebration]

Grandview Opens Cultural Exchange-- *With Pen Pals in Ghana*
Sixth-graders in Jessica Lunski's language arts classes at Grandview Middle School are learning firsthand what life is like halfway around the world in Ghana, Africa. As pen pals with students at the Timoskay School Complex, located just outside of Takoradi, the Grandview students are finding out that while their differences are many, their similarities are striking. [Pen Pals]

MWHS Band Students Wow Judges--

At Region 2AA Large Group Contest

The Mound Westonka High School Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble participated in the annual Region 2AA Large Group Instrumental Contest March 2. The event was a judged contest, with the auditioned Wind Ensemble earning the top Superior rating and the Symphonic Band earning an Excellent rating.

Gustavus Adolphus College band director James Miller wrote in his comments, "Bravo 100x Wow!" to indicate his pleasure at hearing the Wind Ensemble.

[100x Wow]

Grandview's School Garden Success Story--

Shared by Jeffers Foundation

Grandview Middle School Garden Snapshot

The successful school garden program at Grandview Middle School has grown out of strong community collaboration. In its first year of operation, the garden serves as an alternative learning environment for Grandview students and brings student-grown produce into the lunchroom. Watch the above video from the Jeffers Foundation to learn about the project, and click the link below to access a case study and photo gallery.

[Grandview Garden]

Student's Beachside Artwork Celebrated-- By Spirit of the Lakes Festival
Mound Westonka High School junior Matt Miller was recently selected as the winner of the Spirit of the Lakes Festival student art competition. Miller's artwork will appear on promotional material and apparel, advertising and celebrating the annual Lake Minnetonka event. [Spirit Winner]

All-District Choir Concert to Feature Special Send-Off--

For Westonka Musicians Headed to NYC

The All-District Choir Concert will be held Monday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mound Westonka High School gym. This annual event features all grades 5-12 choirs, including Madd Jazz.

Madd Jazz will perform a brand new arrangement of Theme from "New York, New York," commissioned especially for the group. This piece will have special meaning, as Westonka prepares to send off Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble on tour to New York City.

[All-District Choir]

Westonka SEAC Hosts Open Gym-- *For Families of Children with Special Needs*
Westonka's Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) hosted an open gym time for families of children with special needs at Grandview Middle School on Feb. 22. The event featured bounce houses, a giant slide, rock wall climbing, bowling and more! [Family Fun]

Westonka in the News

Audio: This Week In High School Sports (Feb. 28, 2015)

Connor Clemons of Prior Lake hockey and Gabe Wear of Mound Westonka basketball are the Aspire athletes of the week.

ESPN 1500

True De-tech-tives: Mound Westonka High School's Tech Interns

Mound Westonka High School's tech interns are the source of solutions and smiles.

Lake Minnetonka Magazine

Mound Westonka gymnast contributes to team that placed third at state

Mound Westonka eight grader Teagan Schmidt was part of the Watertown-Mayer gymnastics team which placed third at state Feb. 20 and 21.

The Laker

Pair of MWHS musicians perform in All State Choir

MWHS seniors Hogan Kelly and Matthew Sheehan performed in the All State Mixed Choir during the Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Clinic ...

The Laker

Mound talks sidewalk near school, supports Harbor District improvements

After hearing Westonka Superintendent Kevin Borg's request that the council consider constructing a one block section of sidewalk on Grandview Boulevard ...

The Laker

8th grade boys basketball team wins at recent tournament

On Sunday Feb. 22 the Mound Westonka boys travel basketball team won the championship at the Big Lake Boys 8th Grade C tournament.

The Laker

Westonka food services director presents info to legislators

Laura Metzger, food and nutrition services director for the Westonka School District, presented information to state legislators on Feb. 18 about school nutrition ...

The Laker

Sports Highlights

White Hawks' Otteson Swims to State

Another White Hawks athlete is headed to state competition this season. Mound Westonka High School sophomore Alec Otteson will compete in the 100-yard backstroke at the Minnesota State High School League State Boys' Swimming and Diving Meet March 6 and 7 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

[State Swimmer]

White Hawks Wrestlers Place Three at State

The Mound Westonka High School wrestling team had six participants in the 2015 Minnesota State High School League State Wrestling Tournament and came home with three state place winners. Freshman Aaron Cashman placed fourth, junior Ryan Reid placed sixth and senior Sam Bennyhoff took home third-place honors.

[Podium Placers]

Girls Basketball Hosts Senior Send-off

The Westonka community honored the five senior girls basketball players-(pictured above from left) Tavish Mackell, Haley Martin, Addie Clarke, Molly Regan and Cori Anderson-in front of a home crowd Feb. 26.

[Senior Night]

White Hawks Alumna PRs at WIAC Championships

2014 Mound Westonka High School graduate Sari Mailey posted personal best times at the 2015 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships Feb. 19-21.

[Alumna PRs]

White Hawks Youth Athletes are Tourney Champs

The White Hawks Squirt A boys hockey team claimed the championship trophy at the Fargo Squirt A International Tournament Feb. 27-March 1. That same weekend, the Westonka Youth Basketball Association 5B Team had a championship win at the Dassel-Cokato Tournament. Go White Hawks!

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.

3/9	LEGO Mania: Gadgets and Gizmos - Hilltop (grades K-4)
	Group Hypnosis to Lose Weight, Stop Smoking/Chewing Tobacco
	Middle School Track & Field (grade 6)
3/10	Chef's Academy: Fruit Tarts - Shirley Hills (grades 1-4)
3/11	Pink Poodle in Paris with Kidcreate Studio - Shirley Hills (grades K-4)
	LEGO Mania: Gadgets and Gizmos - Shirley Hills (grades K-4)
	Chef's Academy: Fruit Tarts - Hilltop (grades 1-4)
3/12	GMS Chef's Academy Once-A-Month Cooking Club: Hearty Salad & Bread To-Go
	Pink Poodle in Paris with Kidcreate Studio - Hilltop (grades K-4)
3/13	NEW Video Game Creation (grades K-2)
3/14	Early Childhood Screening
3/15	10 Dome Baseball Clinics (ages 9-18)

Upcoming Events

Friday, March 6

Boys Swimming & Diving State Tournament, University of Minnesota

Hilltop Sleepover, 7:00

Link Night, Thaler Arena, 7:00

Sunday, March 8

DECA State Competition

Monday, March 9

Shirley Hills Family Ice Skating, 6:00

Thursday, March 12

Grandview PTO Meeting, 1:30

Shirley Hills Imagination Fair, 5:30

Friday, March 13

'Stuff the Bus' Food Collection

MWHS Spring Play Emergency Prom, 7:30

Saturday, March 14

MWHS Spring Play Emergency Prom, 7:30

Sunday, March 15

MWHS Spring Play Emergency Prom, 2:00

Looking Ahead

March 16

All-District Choir Concert

March 17

Shirley Hills PTA Meeting

March 19

Shirley Hills Parent Education Session

Hilltop Operetta

March 20 & 21

Hilltop Operetta

March 23

School Board Meeting

March 24

Shirley Hills Variety Show

March 27

NO SCHOOL - Workshop Day

March 29

Northwest Tonka Lions Club French Toast Breakfast

Benefiting the Westonka primary school meals program

March 30 - April 3

NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

April 11

ECFE Kids' Stuff Sale

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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