WESTONKA News ~ Sept. 11, 2015  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Borg Report
First Day Photos
9/11 Remembered
Newsweek Top High School
MWHS Celebration
New Teachers
Westonka Spanish Program
Spirit Store
School Board Election
Student of the Week
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Upcoming Events
Quick Links




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Welcome Back, Westonka!--
Our Positive Momentum Continues
On behalf of Westonka Public Schools, I want to welcome you back to the 2015-2016 school year!

I can think of no better example of the momentum we have going into the new school year in Westonka than the atmosphere of our first home football game last Friday night. It was truly a community celebration, with students, staff and neighbors out in full force to cheer the White Hawks on to their first 3-0 start in recent memory. Our positive momentum is palpable, and the excitement is contagious. I can't wait to see what this new year brings.

Please read the Borg Report to learn more about what's in store for the new school year.
 
Laughter, Learning Return to Classrooms--
As Students Come Back to School
Westonka Public Schools welcomed approximately 2,300 students to the 2015-2016 school year on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Students and staff at the Westonka Early Childhood Center, Shirley Hills Primary School, Hilltop Primary School, Grandview Middle School and Mound Westonka High School began the new school year with energy and enthusiasm. 

Click the link below to see pictures from each of the school buildings.
 
Students Pay Tribute to Victims, Heroes--
On 9/11 Anniversary
Today, we remember the victims, their families and the heroes who stood up during one of the darkest moments in American history. Each Westonka school will mark the 14th anniversary of 9/11 in a special way today.

The Mound Westonka High School Student Senate places flags around the school grounds in remembrance of 9/11 every year.
MWHS Ranks in Newsweek's Top High Schools--
Commended for 'Beating the Odds'
Mound Westonka High School was once again named one of the top public high schools in the nation in a report released last month by Newsweek. 

Only 10 Minnesota schools were included on the 2015 "America's Top High Schools" list, and MWHS was the only school in the state to receive a gold star for meeting Newsweek's Equity measure, which recognizes schools that help low-income students score at or above average on state assessments. 
 
Prizes, Surprises Await Students--
On MWHS Celebration Day
Many students at Mound Westonka High School opened their lockers on Sept. 8 to find medals inside for honors earned during the final quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. 

The first day of school included a celebration assembly to honor the students' academic accomplishments for the fourth quarter, 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.
 
Westonka Principals Give Warm Welcome--
To New Teachers, Staff

Westonka Public Schools is pleased to welcome several new teachers and staff members this year. Those joining the Westonka team for the 2015-2016 school year were recognized during the All Staff Welcome Back event on Sept. 1.
 
Westonka Spanish Program Celebrates 10th Year--
Of Offering Language Immersion

Celebrating its 10th 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. Register online by Monday, Sept. 14 at westonka.ce.feepay.com or complete and return the registration form to your child's school or to Westonka Community Education. The annual program cost is $535.
 
Show Your White Hawks Spirit--
With New Westonka Gear!
Westonka Public Schools is proud to be partnering with WestEnd Promotions this year to present Westonka spirit wear and gear. The new online spirit store will feature quarterly fresh new items for men, women and youth, as well as fan gear and traditional basics.  

Shop online at www.westonkagear.com any time or take advantage of quarterly order deadlines for limited feature items and discounts. Westonka spirit wear will also be available at select school events.
 
Important Voter Information--
For 2015 School Board Election
Voter registration for the Nov. 3, 2015 general election is open until Oct. 13, and absentee or early voting will begin on Friday, Sept. 18.  In the Westonka School District, voters will be electing four school board members for four-year terms. 

Three incumbents and one newcomer have filed as candidates for those seats. Seeking re-election are School Board Chair David Botts, Vice Chair Ann Bremer and Treasurer Ralph Harrison. Kelle Bowe has also filed as a candidate. Incumbent David Bond did not file for re-election.

Click the link below for important voter information.
 
Congratulations to Sienna Penner--
Westonka Athletic/Activities Student of the Week
The Westonka Activities Department is proud to name Mound Westonka High School senior Sienna Penner Westonka Athletic/Activities Student of the Week for the Week of Sept. 7, 2015. 

Head football cheerleading coach Nella Witczek said, "Sienna possesses great leadership when trying new stunts and is always one of the first to say, 'Let's do this!'"
 
Westonka in the News
Young Spectrum team falls hard to Westonka
Spectrum is a young football program. Therefore, any experience it gets playing against a bigger school is very valuable, no matter the result.

88-year-old WWII veteran receives high school diploma in Mound, Minn.
For many young men growing up during WWII, serving your country took priority over education.  But for one veteran, it's never too late to get your high school diploma.

Back to School: Westonka
More personal technology and improved facilities await Westonka students. "As we start the 2015-2016 school year, our focus will continue to be on providing each Westonka student with an exceptional learning experience" ...

Mound Westonka bus driver awarded for safety skills
Some Mound Westonka parents can be even more assured of their children's safety during their bus rides this fall, after driver Pauline Kish took first place in the Minnesota School Bus Roadeo and placed fourth in the National School Transportation Association's School Bus Driver International Safety Competition.

Westonka students perform well on MCAs
The Minnesota Department of Education released the 2015 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) results, and the Westonka District placed significantly higher than the state average in each of the three categories: science, math and reading.

Westonka employee named president of Minnesota School Nutrition Association
During the final day of its Annual State Conference today, the Minnesota School Nutrition Association announced its new president and Executive Board for the 2015-2016 school year. 

Westonka girls tennis off to a great start
The MWHS varsity girls tennis team has reeled off eight straight wins after two losses in the North/South Tournament held in Park Rapids. 

Boys soccer records mixed start
Mound Westonka varsity boys soccer began their 2015 campaign on a cool August night against Sauk Rapids. 
Sports Highlights
Undefeated White Hawks Shut Out Spectrum
Members of the White Hawks football team walked back through the doors of Mound Westonka High School Tuesday with heads held high. The team kept its undefeated streak alive with a 53-0 shutout win over Spectrum in the first home game Sept. 4.
 
 
Girls Soccer Records 7-0 Shutout over GSL
The White Hawks girls soccer team put the new scoreboard at Haddorf Field to good use Sept. 3 by leading a one-sided kick fest against the Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers. The tempo of the match was set early with strong shots on goal from many players. 
 

Runners Earn Hardware at Maple Lake Invite
The MWHS boys and girls cross country teams competed in the Maple Lake Invitational Sept 4. The boys varsity team took home first-place honors, the boys junior varsity team came in third place and the boys junior high team posted a first-place victory as well. The Westonka girls varsity team came in fourth place. 


White Hawks Top Dragons, Take Third at Invite
The Mound Westonka-Holy Family girls swim and dive team hosted its first home invitational of the season Sept. 1 at Mound Westonka High School and took third. On Sept. 3, the girls traveled to Litchfield, where they were able to defeat the Dragons 56-42.

[Pool Progress]

White Hawks Volleyball Opens Conference Play
This week, the MWHS volleyball team was reminded of the Charles Dickens classic "A Tale of Two Cities." The White Hawks stepped up to the challenge of their first away match and dominated St. Anthony Village. Facing Glencoe-Silver Lake at home in the conference opener was the "other city," with the White Hawks suffering a tough loss.

[Tale of Two Cities]
Upcoming Events
Friday, September 11
Shirley Hills Welcome Back Potluck, 5:00-7:00
Football vs. Minneapolis South, Haddorff Field, 7:00
 
Saturday, September 12
Girls Volleyball Tournament, MWHS gym, 9:00
Girls Soccer vs. Southwest Christian, Haddorff Field, 3:00
Boys Soccer vs. Southwest Christian, Haddorff Field, 5:00
 
Monday, September 14
Hilltop Grade 4 Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM
Hilltop PTA Meeting, 6:30
Girls Soccer vs. Watertown-Mayer, MWHS Haddorff Field, 7:00
School Board Meeting, ESC, 7:00
 
Tuesday, September 15
Hilltop Kindergarten Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM
Hilltop Picture Day
Shirley Hills Makeup Picture Day
Cross Country Invitational at Norwood Young America, 4:00
Girls Swim and Dive at Waconia, 6:00
Girls Volleyball at Providence Academy, 7:00
Grandview PTO Meeting, 7:00
 
Wednesday, September 16
MWHS Photo Make-Up Day
Parent Curriculum Night, MWHS, 7:00-8:30
 
Thursday, September 17
Hilltop Grade 4 Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM
Student Senate Legacy Retreat
Girls Tennis vs. Orono, MWHS, 4:15
Boys Soccer at Rockford, 5:00
Girls Swim and Dive at Hutchinson, 6:00
Girls Soccer at Rockford, 7:00
Girls Volleyball vs. Dassel-Cokato, MWHS, 7:00
 
Friday, September 18
Hilltop Grade 3 Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM
Girls Volleyball at Heritage Christian Academy, 5:30
Football vs. Breck, MWHS Haddorff Field, 7:00
  Senior Night
  Hilltop & Shirley Hills 4th-graders sing National Anthem
Link Crew 8th/9th Back-to-School Dance, 8:30-10:30

Saturday, September 19
Girls Tennis Invitational at Buffalo, 9:00
Girls Volleyball Invitational at Heritage Christian Academy, 9:00
Girls Swim & Dive Invitational at Watertown-Mayer, 12:30
 
Looking Ahead
 
September 21
Hilltop Grade 2 Parent Meeting, 7:50-8:30 AM

September 22
Shirley Hills PTA Meeting, 6:30
 
September 23
Grandview Photo Make-Up Day
MWHS 9th-grade Respect Retreat
 
September 27
Homecoming Coronation
 
October 2
Homecoming Parade and Football Game
 
October 3
MWHS Homecoming Dance

Click here for the full 2015-2016 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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