WESTONKA News ~ November 6, 2015  

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Harrison, Botts, Bowe and Bremer Elected--
To Westonka School Board
The results of the Nov. 3 Westonka School Board election are in.

Incumbents Ralph Harrison, David Botts and Ann Bremer and first-time candidate Kelle Bowe were elected to four-year terms Tuesday. They will be sworn in at the January school board meeting.
 
Please read the Borg Report to learn more about the election.

Commissioner Cassellius Visits Grandview--
Learns 'Best Practices' from Four-Time Reward School
When a school is named one of the top schools in the state four years in a row, people take notice. On Oct. 29, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius visited Grandview Middle School during a statewide tour of multi-year Reward Schools.

The Reward School designation is given each year to the highest-performing Title I schools in Minnesota, as indicated by the Multiple Measurements Ratings. Grandview is one of only 30 Minnesota schools to earn the Reward School distinction four times.

MWHS DECA is EPIC at Leadership Conference--
Livermore Elected to State Action Team

Forty Mound Westonka High School DECA students attended the 2015 DECA Fall Leadership Conference Nov. 1 and 2 in Minneapolis. Students heard from two nationally-recognized motivational speakers and attended numerous breakout sessions on topics ranging from career success to marketing to technology. Additionally, MWHS senior Laura Livermore was elected vice president of chapter development on the Minnesota DECA State Action Team.

MWHS Welcomes Foreign Visitors--
At International Exchange Student Celebration
Mound Westonka High School hosted a reception Oct. 22 to celebrate nine students from across the globe who are making Westonka their home this year through the Youth for Understanding student exchange program.

"You're not exchange students - you're our students," said Principal Mark McIlmoyle. "You're White Hawks now." 

Wind Ensemble Halloween Concerts--
Delight Audiences of All Ages

In what has become an annual event, the members of the Mound Westonka High School Wind Ensemble performed a series of short Halloween concerts on Oct. 30 at Grandview Middle School and at Shirley Hills and Hilltop primary schools. A new addition this year was a concert at Lake Minnetonka Shores, where the costumed band members performed for a slightly older crowd.

MWHS Fall Musical Tickets--
Now On Sale
Feed the need for musical hilarity when the Mound Westonka High School theater department presents "Little Shop of Horrors," a delicious sci-fi smash about a man-eating plant.

This devious musical, which has devoured the hearts of theatergoers for over 30 years, will be presented in the MWHS Little Theater Thursday, Nov. 12 through Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.

Math League Takes Fourth--
In First Meet of the Year
The Mound Westonka High School Math League took fourth place out of seven teams in its first competition of the year Nov. 2.

With 67 total points, the White Hawks were only four points away from third place. 

Grandview Student to Represent USA--
In International Hockey Competition
Grandview Middle School seventh-grader Brooke Pioske has been chosen to play for Team Minnesota in the World Selects Invitational hockey tournament this spring in Helsinki, Finland.

Congratulations to Samuel Abegglen--
Westonka Athletic/Activities Student of the Week
The Westonka Activities Department is proud to name Mound Westonka High School senior Samuel Abegglen Westonka Athletic/Activities Student of the Week for the week of Nov. 2, 2015.

Abegglen finished in 12th place at the Section 2AA Cross Country Championship meet on Oct. 29, just six seconds shy of advancing to state.

Westonka in the News
Local gymnast preparing for Olympic Hopes Cup
After qualifying for the USA's Junior National Gymnastics team Shane Wiskus will be leaving to compete for the United States in the Czech Republic.

Westonka gathering input on facilities needs
Westonka officials want to know what the community thinks about plans to improve and expand some of the district's facilities.

Local Author Pens Book of Lake-Area Recipes
2002 Mound Westonka High School graduate Tiffany Winter brings the spirit of local restaurants into your kitchen.

Memories preserved with special dedication
It's a place to laugh, play, imagine and explore. Dozens of Westonka School District co-workers, community members, friends and family members came together Oct. 26 to dedicate the Kelly Brady Nafus Memorial Playground.

Westonka School Board election results
In the Westonka School Board election Nov. 3, the four candidates were up for four open spots on the board. 
 
Sports Highlights
Five White Hawks Swimmers are All-Conference
The Wright County Conference girls swim and dive championship meet was held Oct. 31 in Hutchinson. Nine teams competed, and Mound Westonka-Holy Family placed fifth overall. Five White Hawks swam their way to All-Conference awards by placing in the top eight in their individual events. 
 

Trapshooting has Successful Fall Season
The MWHS trapshooting team had 30 shooters out for trap this fall and had a safe and successful season. "Half of the team was first-year shooters, and we saw some dramatic improvement from both the new shooters and our seasoned vets," said coach Jeff Hanratty. "We are building a great base for the future."

Don't Miss Wrestling Registration Night Nov. 10
The annual PreK-12 Wrestling Registration Night is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6-7:30 p.m., in the MWHS "D" hallway. PreK-6 parents will be able to get $5 off their registration by registering that evening, and wrestlers in grades 7-12 will receive equipment and locker assignments.


Cross Country Ends Season at Sections
The White Hawks cross country team had a strong showing at the Section 2AA Championship meet at Lake Marion Park near Hutchinson on Oct. 29. The White Hawks boys were led by senior Sam Abegglen's elite personal record time of 16:59.


MWHS Hosts Successful Spiketacular 
The 8th Annual Spiketacular Nov. 2 and 5 was two great nights of volleyball, hosted by the Westonka volleyball program as a fundraiser and food drive for the food shelf. 

Upcoming Community Ed. Classes
Check out the Westonka Community Education classes starting next week!

For more information, visit westonka.ce.feepay.com or call 
(952) 491-8040.

11/10
NEW Pottery Studio (grades 2-4)

Chef's Academy: Fruit Pizza - Shirley Hills (grades 1-4)

Soccer (grades 1-3)
11/11
Czech Kolaches

Chef's Academy: Fruit Pizza - Hilltop (grades 1-4)

Kidcreate Studio: How to Draw a Unicorn - Shirley Hills (grades K-4)
11/12
NEW Building a Chemical-Free Lifestyle in the Home - Essential Oils Ma
ke 'n Take

GMS Chef's Academy Once-a-Month Cooking Club - Italian

Stop Smoking/Chewing Tobacco and Weight Loss Group Hypnosis

Kidcreate Studio: How to Draw a Unicorn - Hilltop (grades K-4)
11/14
Live Lively Square Dance Class

Alone at Home (ages 8-11)

Babysitter Training (ages 11+)

NEW Chalkboard and Hand Scripting
11/15
Carlson Tennis - Little Stars (ages 4-6)

Carlson Tennis - Rising Stars (ages 7-8)

White Hawks Hitting Clinic (ages 5-18)

Carlson Tennis - Future Stars (ages 9-11)

Carlson Tennis - Middle School Tennis
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 6
Shirley Hills Grandfriends' Day

Sunday, November 8
Shirley Hills Family Skating Night, 5:00-7:00
 
Monday, November 9
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workshop
Hilltop & Shirley Hills Parent Conferences
Senior Class Party Subway Fundraiser, 4:00-8:00
School Board Meeting, ESC, 7:00

Tuesday, November 10
Girls Hockey vs. Northfield, MWHS, 7:00

Wednesday, November 11
8th Grade Explore Test

Thursday, November 12
MWHS Fall Musical, 7:30
Girls Hockey at South St. Paul, 7:00

Friday, November 13
Student Senate Staff Appreciation Breakfast
MWHS Fall Musical, 7:30

Saturday, November 14
Girls Hockey vs. Academy of Holy Angels, MWHS, 3:00
MWHS Fall Musical, 7:30

Sunday, November 15
MWHS Fall Musical, 2:00

 
Looking Ahead

November 16
Hilltop PTA Meeting

November 17
Grandview PTO Meeting

November 18
MWHS Plan Test
DECA Competitive Excellence Night


November 21

November 24
Shirley Hills PTA Meeting

November 26-27
NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving

December 6
Nordic Ski Scramble Fundraiser

Click here for the full 2015-2016 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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