WESTONKA News ~ November 20, 2015  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Borg Report
Activities Buses Get Wi-Fi
Growth Mindset
Meet the MWHS International Students
Rep. Pugh Visits Grandview
MWHS Staff Appreciation
Teen Gift Drive
Junior Olympian
Student of the Week
New Spirit Wear
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Community Ed. Classes
Upcoming Events
Quick Links




Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook View our videos on YouTube 
Buildings Select Candidates--
For Westonka Teacher of the Year
It is with great pride that I announce the four candidates for 2016 Westonka Teacher of the Year. Grandview Middle School teacher Julie Thomas, Mound Westonka High School teacher Sue Simonson, Shirley Hills Primary School teacher Dena Spanjers and Hilltop Primary School teacher Mindy Barrett were recently named Teachers of the Year in their respective buildings.

Please read the Borg Report to learn more about our second annual Teacher of the Year Award celebration.

Wi-Fi on Buses--
Helps Busy Students Stay on Track
With all of the new technology upgrades in Westonka Schools, the district decided its buses needed a touchup as well. 

This year, students are able to work on online assignments on their way to the soccer field or concert hall, thanks to the addition of wireless Internet to the district's activities buses.

MWHS Dares to FAIL--
Embraces Growth Mindset
Learners at Mound Westonka High School are daring to fail.

At MWHS, FAIL stands for "First Attempt In Learning" and is part of the growth mindset taking hold of students and staff this year. According to MWHS Principal Mark McIlmoyle, a growth mindset is all about taking risks, being comfortable with the uncomfortable and trying new things. 

Meet the International Students--
Of Mound Westonka High School
Junior Peyton Mullins is on a mission to give her peers an in-depth look at the international students studying at Mound Westonka High School this year. 

Mullins began her weekly series with an illuminating interview with Alex Lykke of Denmark.

Representative Pugh Visits Grandview--
Encourages Civic Engagement

State Rep. Cindy Pugh visited Grandview Middle School sixth-graders in Jessica Rashleger's history class Nov. 17 to talk about her responsibilities in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Pugh, who represents District 33B, enjoys visiting the future voters in her district.

Thanksgiving Comes Early--
For MWHS Teachers, Staff
Students at Mound Westonka High School showed their appreciation for staff and teachers during Staff Appreciation Week Nov. 16-20. 

The week's events were planned by Student Senate, which arranged multiple activities.

MWHS Students Collect 'Swag'--
For Local Teens in Need
brown_paper_gift.jpgIn this season of giving and generosity, the Student Celebrations Committee at Mound Westonka High School is staging a collection drive for teen gifts. The collection will take place December 1-3 during lunches at the high school.

Wiskus Brings Home Bronze Medal--
From Junior Olympics Gymnastics Competition
Gymnast Shane Wiskus is keeping his Olympic dreams alive. 

Wiskus, a junior at Mound Westonka High School, took home the individual bronze medal in the all-around competition at the 2015 Olympic Hopes Cup in Liberec, Czech Republic on Nov. 7. As a team, the United States also earned the bronze medal.

Congratulations to Liz Schepers--
Westonka Athletic/Activities Student of the Week
The Westonka Activities Department is proud to name Mound Westonka High School junior Liz Schepers Westonka Athletic/Activities Student of the Week for the week of Nov. 16, 2015.

"Liz is a dynamic leader with a very strong work ethic," said head girls hockey coach Jack Gravel. "She is one of the first players on the ice and last to leave every day."

Deck the Halls--
With White Hawks Gear
Give your White Hawk a gift of spirit wear! We have new styles, including flannel, plaid and sparkles. Check out the Westonka Gear spirit store for all of your holiday shopping.

**Order by Dec. 4 for pre-Winter Break delivery

Westonka in the News
Mound Westonka High Students Fix Their Own Laptops In Tech Repair Class
A Twin Cities high school is giving students a hands-on learning experience for the digital age.

Swim: Eight swims headed to Class A Meet
Not too often does Shea Braden, senior for Mound-Westonka/Holy Family, finish seventh or eighth in a race.

Gathering from around the world
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 ...
Sports Highlights
Sections Send Six Swimmers to State
Eleven teams and 195 girls participated in the Section 3A Girls Swimming and Diving Championship meet Nov. 12 and 14. Almost every Mound Westonka-Holy Family swimmer dropped time in prelims, and six White Hawks swimmers moved on to the state meet at the University of Minnesota.
 

Coach Humbert Recaps Cross Country Season
The Mound Westonka High School cross country season concluded Nov. 12 with the annual banquet at the Gillespie Center in Mound. Head cross country coach Chris "Butch" Humbert provided a recap of the White Hawks' successful year. 

'Foundation is Set' for Volleyball Championship
The Mound Westonka White Hawks volleyball team wrapped up its season with a final awards banquet at the Lafayette Club on Nov. 15. The overall theme that resonated throughout the banquet-from coaches' speeches to player quotes-was "the foundation is set."


White Hawks Football Earns Top Academic Honors
The Mound Westonka High School football team was recently selected by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association as a 2015 Academic All-State Gold Team.

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.

11/24
Chef's Academy: Thanksgiving Sides - Shirley Hills (grades 1-4)

Yoga Tuesday
11/25
Chef's Academy: Thanksgiving Sides - Hilltop (grades 1-4)

Gentle Yoga

Yoga Wednesday
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 20
Girls Hockey at Alexandria, 7:00
Boys Hockey at Greenway, 7:30

Saturday, November 21
Boys Basketball Scrimmage at Mayer Lutheran, 11:00
Girls Hockey at East Grand Forks, 2:00
Boys Hockey at Hibbing, 3:00
 
Tuesday, November 24
Shirley Hills PTA Meeting, 6:30

Thursday, November 26
NO SCHOOL - Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 27
NO SCHOOL
No Westonka News

Saturday, November 28
Boys Basketball Scrimmage at Shakopee, 9:00
Wrestling Invitational, MWHS, 10:00
Boys Hockey vs. Lake of the Woods, MWHS, 1:00
Girls Hockey vs. Moose Lake, MWHS, 5:00

Monday, November 30
Hilltop Book Fair Begins

Tuesday, December 1
Hilltop 1st-Grade Concert, 6:30
Girl Basketball vs. Lester Prairie, MWHS, 7:00
Hilltop 3rd-Grade Concert, 7:30
Boys Basketball at SW Christian, 7:00
Boys Hockey vs. Blake, MWHS, 7:00

Thursday, December 3
8th/9th Distinguished Student Breakfast
Hilltop Family Fun Night & Spaghetti Dinner
Girls Basketball vs. Mayer Lutheran, MWHS, 7:00
Boys Hockey at Rochester Lourdes, 7:00
Boys Basketball at Blake, 7:30

Friday, December 4
10th-12th Distinguished Student Breakfast
MWHS Student Celebrations Assembly
Wrestling Invitational at Eastview

Saturday, December 5
Wrestling Invitational at Fridley
Boys Hockey vs. Minnehaha Academy, MWHS, 3:00
Gymnastics at Northfield, 3:00
Boys Basketball vs. Coon Rapids, MWHS, 4:00
 
Looking Ahead

December 6

December 7
School Board Meeting
MWHS Winter Band Concert

December 9
Senior Parent Financial Aid Night

December 23 - January 1
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

January 4
School Resumes

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 
To unsubscribe use the UNSUBSCRIBE OPTION BELOW. 
To forward to a friend use the Forward email link below.

 

Note: Email filters that are designed to prevent unwanted emails or spam may prevent you from receiving email communications from the Westonka School District. In order to prevent this, please add westonka.k12.mn.us to your Approved Senders List.