WESTONKA News ~ January 15, 2016  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Borg Report
Engineering Regatta
District DECA
FBI Internet Safety Presentation
All State School Board Award
WCC Honor Band
Dorian Vocal Festival
Paraprofessional Recognition Week
Ann Bremer White Hawks Award
The Penguin Shuffle
2016-2017 District Calendar
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Community Ed. Classes
Upcoming Events
Quick Links




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Board Moving Forward with Facilities Projects--
To Advance Our Community
Last fall, the school board presented long-range plans to address space constraints in the Westonka School District. Following its assessment, the board has begun taking steps to address several of these constraints.

At the Monday, Jan. 11 school board meeting, the facilities committee recommended a single-question bond referendum on May 10, 2016 to build a 600-seat performing arts center and a community athletics and recreation center at Mound Westonka High School. Please read the Borg Report to learn more about the referendum proposal.

The Good, The Bad and The Soggy--
MWHS Presents Second Annual Engineering Regatta

Some came to witness creative feats of engineering. Some came to cheer on their friends in a race to the finish. Others came hoping to see a shipwreck or two.

No matter the reason, students, parents and staff packed the Mound Westonka High School pool viewing gallery Jan. 12 to watch Project Lead the Way students compete in the Second Annual Engineering Regatta.

Westonka Advances 97 Students--
To State DECA Competition

In another extraordinary showing, Westonka is advancing 97 students to the state DECA competition, following competition at the District Three DECA Conference Jan. 9 at Minnetonka High School. 

FBI Experts to Share Internet Safety Tips--
With Westonka Families
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Westonka Public Schools is teaming up with the FBI, the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association and Microsoft to talk about Internet safety for adults and children. 

What: FBI safety meeting for Westonka families, "Internet Safety & Cyber Security: How Safe is Your Family?" 
When: Thursday, Jan. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. 
Where: Mound Westonka High School Little Theater

Sign up to secure your device!

Bremer Receives All-State School Board Award--
At MSBA Leadership Conference
In front of her family and her colleagues from Westonka Public Schools and Intermediate District 287, Ann Bremer was presented with the All State School Board Award at the Minnesota School Boards Association 2016 Leadership Conference Jan. 14 in Minneapolis.

"Ann embodies spirit and service in the Westonka community. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor," said Westonka Superintendent Kevin Borg. 

Wright County Conference Music Festival--
Features Seven MWHS Musicians
Seven Mound Westonka High School band students were chosen to participate in the Fifth Annual Wright County Conference Honor Band and Honor Choir Festival Jan. 9 at Dassel-Cokato High School. 

About 150 students from 12 school districts were selected for the event, which featured some of the top music students in the conference.

Five MWHS Vocalists Perform--
At Dorian Choir Fest
Five 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, Jan. 9-11.

Shelby Smith, Jane Isaacs, Kyrie Maloney, Nikki Wharram and Jack Curti were chosen to perform with over 1,100 singers from approximately 360 schools in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and South Dakota. 

Westonka Schools Celebrate--
Paraprofessional Recognition Week
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This week, Jan. 11-15, is Paraprofessional Recognition Week in Minnesota. Westonka Schools recognized and celebrated the work of our dedicated paraprofessionals in a variety of ways this week.

Nominations Now Open--
For Ann Bremer White Hawks Award
Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 29 for the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award, which recognizes some of the many dedicated volunteers who offer exceptional service to our school community. The district each year presents up to two awards to recognize outstanding service and commitment to Westonka students and the district.

Click the link below to learn more about the award and how to submit a nomination.

When It's Icy Outside--
Do the Penguin Shuffle!

Mound Westonka High School students arriving at school Thursday morning were greeted by a friendly, tuxedo-wearing animal. After seeing the "Penguin Shuffle" safety video prepared for the morning announcements by juniors Peyton Mullins, Sydne Klohn and Breanna Murray, the district's workers' compensation representative, Joe Morin, decided to pay a special visit to the school.

Watch the video that inspired the the SFM Penguin's visit via the link below.

Plan Ahead for the Coming School Years--
Board Approves District Calendars
The Westonka School Board at its meeting Monday, Jan. 11, approved the 2016-2017 school year calendar, which is now posted on the district website. Also approved and posted are "shell" calendars for the 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years. 

The "shell" calendars include key dates for planning purposes. Full calendars will be approved January of the year prior. Calendars can be accessed via the link below (scroll down to links found below the current-year calendar).

Westonka in the News
Polusny's shutout fuels Mound Westonka's 3-0 charge over rival Orono
Tending to a tense two-goal lead late in the third period, Mound Westonka coach Jack Gravel knew his team had the means to kill a 5-on-3 penalty situation.

Unique donation for a community cause
Girls raise funds for Grace Family Center

Mound Westonka High School students visit Head Start
On Dec. 17, about 30 members of the MWHS bands visited Head Start, located at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mound, to perform holiday music in small ensembles.
Sports Highlights
Gymnasts to Compete at True Team State!
The Watertown-Mayer/Mound Westonka varsity gymnastics team has been invited to compete in the True Team State Gymnastics Meet Jan. 23.


Girls Hockey Earns 3-0 Shutout Over Spartans
Junior goalie Emma Polusny stopped 33 shots as the White Hawks girls hockey team earned a 3-0 victory over the Spartans in an away game Jan. 8.
 

Boys Basketball Gets Road Win Against Chargers
The Mound Westonka High School boys basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 62-60 come-from-behind win at Dassel-Cokato on Jan. 8. 

Boys Hockey Dominates Archrival Spartans
In the same spirit as the Vikings and Packers, the Lake Minnetonka area has its own epic rivalry between the Westonka White Hawks and the Orono Spartans. 


Wrestlers Place Fourth at Hibbing Duals
The Mound Westonka High School wrestling team traveled north to the Hibbing Duals on Jan. 8 and 9. The White Hawks wrestled four duals, going to 2-2 to claim a fourth-place finish in the two-day tourney.


Westonka Skiers Place in Top Third at Mesabi
The Mound Westonka High School White Hawks recently competed at the largest high school Nordic ski race in the lower 48 states, the 2016 Mesabi East Invitational Jan. 9.

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.

1/19
Yoga Flow (Tuesdays)

Microsoft Word 2010, Part I

Driver's Education

Chef's Academy: Homemade Salsa & Chips - Shirley Hills (grades 1-4) 
1/20
Chef's Academy: Homemade Salsa & Chips - Hilltop (grades 1-4)

Hatha Yoga - Wednesday
1/21
Yoga Fit Kids Club

Essential Oils 101 - The Basics
1/22
NEW Cabin Fever Reliever (adult/child class)

School's Out!
Upcoming Events
Friday, January 15
Shirley Hills Pastries for Parents, 8:00-8:45
GMS Winter Blast, 6:00-8:00
Gymnastics at Dassel-Cokato, 6:00
Boys Basketball vs. Rockford, MWHS, 7:00
Girls Basketball at Rockford, 7:00
Boys Hockey vs. New Prague, MWHS, 7:00
Girls Hockey at Long Prairie, 7:00
Wrestling at Maple Lake, 7:00

Saturday, January 16
Dance Team Conference Tournament at Litchfield, 12:00
Girls Basketball vs. New London-Spicer, MWHS, 6:00
Boys Basketball vs. New London-Spicer, MWHS, 7:30

Monday, January 18
Alpine Ski at Trollhaugen, TBA

Tuesday, January 19
Coffee with the Principal, MWHS, 7:45-8:45
Alpine Ski at Hyland Hills, TBD
Nordic Ski at Wirth Park, 3:45
Boys Basketball at Glencoe-Silver Lake, 7:00
Girls Basketball vs. Glencoe-Silver Lake, MWHS, 7:00
Girls Hockey at Litchfield, 7:00
Boys Hockey vs. Delano-Rockford, MWHS, 7:00

Thursday, January 21
Wrestling vs. Rockford, MWHS, 5:00
Girls Hockey vs. Holy Family-Waconia, MWHS, 7:00

Friday, January 22
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Professional Day
Alpine Ski at Buck Hill, TBD
Nordic Ski at Baker, 10:00
Wrestling at Mpls. South, 5:00
Gymnastics at Delano, 6:00
Girls Basketball at Annandale, 7:00
Boys Basketball vs. Annandale, MWHS, 7:00

Saturday, January 23
Girls Hockey at New Ulm, 2:00
Boys Hockey at Hutchinson, 7:00

Looking Ahead

January 25
School Board Meeting
8th-Grade Explore Information Night

January 26
Shirley Hills PTA Meeting

January 27
MWHS Dodgeball Competition

February 1
7th to 8th Grade Orientation

February 4
Hilltop Science Fair/Family Fun Night

February 5
Shirley Hills Winter Carnival

February 8
4th to 5th Grade Orientation
Hilltop PTA Executive Committee Meeting

February 15
NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day

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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