WESTONKA News ~ January 22, 2016  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
MLK Day
Scholastic Art Awards
Thaler Anniversary
Triple 'A' Awards
Pennies for Patients
Speech Prep
Students of the Week
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Community Ed. Classes
Upcoming Events
Quick Links




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Spirit of Dr. King is Alive--
In Westonka Hallways
Classes were taught and lessons were learned, but Martin Luther King Jr. Day was far from a regular school day in Westonka Schools. As Superintendent Kevin Borg described earlier this month, Westonka students and staff spent Monday "in the spirit of Dr. King." 

Each school honored the civil rights leader's legacy through educational programming, creative projects and mindful reflection.

Art Educators Honor Eight MWHS Students--
With Scholastic Art Awards

Mound Westonka art students have traditionally done well at the annual Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards and this year was no exception. Senior Kwin Retterath was honored with a Silver Key Award for his drawing, Cutting Weight, and seven other students received Honorable Mention awards.

Looking Back to the Beginning--
Of Thaler Sports Center
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the grand opening of the David M. Thaler Sports Center. 

The arena opened Nov. 11, 2005, but the grand opening celebration (pictured right) and first varsity hockey game took place on Jan. 14, 2006. To commemorate the milestone, an anniversary celebration, featuring hockey games, free food, prizes and open skating, was held at the arena on Dec. 12, 2015.

Abegglen, Rude Earn Triple 'A's--
In Academics, Arts and Athletics
Mound Westonka High School seniors Sam Abegglen and Claire Rude have been selected to represent their school at the regional Triple "A" Award banquet on Jan. 31 at Gustavus Adolphus College. 

Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, the Triple "A" Award--Academics, Arts and Athletics--is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the fine arts.

Shirley Hills is Halfway to Fundraising Goal--
In Pennies for Patients Drive
January is Caring for Our Community month at Shirley Hills Primary School. The school is once again partnering with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, running a Pennies for Patients collection from Jan. 11 through Jan. 29. The school-wide goal is $6,000.

Shirley Hills Primary School Principal Scott Eidsness sported "wacky" hair on Jan. 21 to raise money for the cause. 

Speech Team Prepares--
For First Competition
The Westonka Speech Team spent Tuesday evening preparing for its first competition of the year, which will take place this Saturday, Jan. 23, in Chanhassen. 

Congrats to Stricklen, Kuznik and Wharram--
Athletic/Activities Students of the Week

The Westonka Activities Department is proud to name three Mound Westonka High School seniors Athletic/Activities Students of the Week for the week of Jan. 18, 2016: Holton Stricklen, Anson Kuznik and Nikki Wharram.



Westonka in the News
Westonka moves toward $22.95 million referendum
School board set to take action Jan. 25 on ballot language, likely spring election date.

Westonka closes sixth-grade open enrollment for rest of school year
The Westonka School Board approved a measure on Jan. 11 closing open enrollment in sixth grade for the remainder of the school year due to the large number of students in that grade.

MWHS musicians participate in conference music festival
Seven Mound Westonka High School band students were chosen to participate in the Fifth Annual Wright County Conference Honor Band and Honor Choir Festival ...

Westonka girls take first place
On Jan. 10 the Westonka fifth grade girls took first place in the Westonka basketball tournament. 
Sports Highlights
Hawkettes Earn Eighth Straight WCC Title
For the eighth consecutive year, the Mound Westonka High School Hawkettes dance team won the Wright County Conference Championship, after receiving the highest scores of the season at the conference meet in Litchfield on Jan. 16. 


White Hawks Wrestlers Pick Up Conference Win
The Mound Westonka White Hawks wrestled three conference duals on Jan. 14 and 15, going 1-2 and picking up their second conference win of the year.
 

Westonka Alpine Rides Wave of Success
The Westonka alpine ski team is riding a wave of success after the beginning of the season was delayed by warmer temperatures and rain in December. 

Girls Hockey is Undefeated in New Year
The Mound Westonka High School girls hockey team, currently ranked No. 8 in the state, remains undefeated in 2016.


Nordic Skiers Brave Cold Temps at Elm Creek
The Mound Westonka High School Nordic ski team competed in a 5 km conference classic race on Jan. 12 at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove. Despite the frigid weather, the boys team had its season's best finish, earning second place out of six teams.


Boys Hockey Faces Tough Conference Opponents
The Mound Westonka boys hockey team faced the Holy Family Fire on Jan. 12 and the New Prague Trojans on Jan. 15, losing both contests.


Girls Basketball Loses Three to Start 2016
The White Hawks began conference games in January after coming off a third-place finish at the Norwood Young America Tournament Dec. 29-30.


White Hawks Boys Basketball Tops Wildcats
Following a pair of losses earlier in the week, the White Hawks boys basketball team bounced back with a decisive 76-50 home win against New London-Spicer on Jan. 16.

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.

1/25
Beginning Spanish

Chess Club - Shirley Hills

Prepare Your Own Will

Science Comes Alive with Mad Science - Shirley Hills 
1/26
Chef's Academy: Make Your Own Pizza from Scratch - Shirley Hills (grades 1-4)

Chess Club - Hilltop
1/27
Chef's Academy: Make Your Own Pizza from Scratch - Hilltop (grades 1-4)

Gentle Yoga with Yin

Kidcreate Studio: How to Draw R2D2 - Shirley Hills (grades K-4)

Science Comes Alive with Mad Science - Hilltop

Sushi - Adult Cooking Class
1/28
Fencing - Winter (grades 2-5)

Fencing - Winter (grades 6-12)

Kidcreate Studio: How to Draw R2D2 - Hilltop (grades K-4)
1/30
Parent/Child Cookies and Canvas Painting Class (ages 5+)
Upcoming Events
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
Girls Basketball at Annandale, 7:00
Boys Basketball vs. Annandale, MWHS, 7:00

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

Monday, January 25
School Board Meeting, ESC, 7:00
8th-Grade Explore Information Night, 7:00-8:30

Tuesday, January 26
Nordic Ski at Wirth Park, 3:45
Shirley Hills PTA Meeting, 6:30-8:30
Girls Basketball at Litchfield, 7:00
Boys Basketball vs. Litchfield, MWHS, 7:00
Boys Hockey at Waconia, 7:00
Girls Hockey at New Prague, 7:15

Wednesday, January 27
MWHS Dodgeball Competition, MWHS, 5:00

Thursday, January 28
Alpine Ski at Hyland Hills, TBD
Wrestling Quad at Wayzata, 5:00
Gymnastics at Watertown, 6:00
Girls Basketball vs. Watertown, MWHS, 7:00
Girls Hockey vs. Orono, MWHS, 7:00

Friday, January 29
Speech Team at Marshall
Alpine Ski at Mount Kato
Wrestling Triangular, MWHS, 5:00
Boys Basketball at Watertown 7:00
Boys Hockey vs. Orono, MWHS, 7:00

Saturday, January 30
Speech Team at Marshall
Dance Team Section Finals, MWHS, 9:00
Wresting Invitational at Orono, 9:00
Girls Hockey vs. Duluth Denfeld, MWHS, 3:00

Looking Ahead

February 1
7th to 8th Grade Orientation

February 4
Hilltop Science Fair/Family Fun Night

February 5
Shirley Hills Winter Carnival

February 6
ACT Test at MWHS

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

February 15
NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day

February 26
NO SCHOOL - Student/Parent Conferences

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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