WESTONKA News ~ February 19, 2016  

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District Receives Coveted Finance Award--
From Minnesota Department of Education
I am pleased to announce that the Westonka School District has once again received the School Finance Award from the Minnesota Department of Education. Each year, MDE recognizes school districts for meeting submission deadlines of audited fiscal financial data and reporting criteria.

Please read the Borg Report to learn more about Westonka's commitment to maintaining strong finances.

Westonka Talent on Exhibit During Youth Art Month--
At Hopkins Center for the Arts
In celebration of Youth Art Month, 10 artworks by Westonka students will be showcased in a monthlong exhibition at Hopkins Center for the Arts. The exhibition is hosted annually by the Art Educators of Minnesota. 

The 2016 Youth Art Month show runs Feb. 25-March 27.

Rude Advances to Finalist Standing--
In National Merit Scholarship Program
Mound Westonka High School senior Claire Rude has been named a Finalist in the 2015-2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

She was selected, along with other finalists, from a pool of 16,000 semifinalists and will be considered for a National Merit Scholarship to be offered in March.

Westonka History Lessons--
By Dr. Pam Myers
At meetings in January and February, the Westonka School Board learned what was happening in the school district 100 years earlier, at the beginning of 1916. 

The Westonka history lessons were part of monthly presentations by Dr. Pamela Myers of the Westonka Historical Society in celebration of the district's centennial.

Rotary Interact Club Clothing Drive--
Supports Westonka Community
In its second year of existence, the Mound Westonka High School Rotary Interact Club put together another successful community service project, gathering hats, mittens, scarves and socks for people in need this winter.

MWHS students and faculty collected goods, which were then taken to RAK Thrift Store in Mound. 

More Ribbons for Speech--
At St. Michael-Albertville
The Mound Westonka High School speech team traveled to St. Michael-Albertville Feb. 13 for a tournament that included 26 schools and over 550 competitors. 

Two MWHS students earned ribbons, sophomore Anna Worden and senior Gabe Hulme. 

Westonka in the News
Teen Homelessness Project
Grandview Middle School students Carson Meritt and Michael Kurtz describe their experiential teen homelessness project (Watch at 14:33)

Westonka coaches honored for 'Breaking Barriers'
Two Westonka coaches were among the 14 people honored with the 2016 Breaking Barriers Award.

Gymnastics team headed to state, led by Mound Westonka's Teagan Schmidt
The Watertown-Mayer Mound Westonka gymnastics team will once again be heading to State as a team after taking first at the Sections tournament last weekend.

Mound Westonka FCA students make sandwiches with the Sandwich Project
A group of students who are involved in the FCA group at Mound Westonka High School recently spent a few hours participating in an outreach project to help the homeless.

Orono Mound Westonka boys swim & dive honors seniors
Seniors were honored at the last home meet of the season against Dassel-Cokato on Jan. 26, 2016.
Sports Highlights
Hawkettes Live It Up at State Dance Tournament
The Mound Westonka High School dance team's banner year culminated with a trip to the Minnesota State High School League State Dance Team Tournament Feb. 12 and 13 at Target Center in Minneapolis. 


Boys Basketball Celebrates Seniors with Win
The White Hawks boys basketball team celebrated its seven seniors in style Feb. 16 with a 68-62 win over Glencoe-Silver Lake.


White Hawks Wrestlers Fall in Section Semifinals
The Mound Westonka White Hawks wrestling team began postseason action Feb. 12, when they competed at the Section 6AAA team meet. The White Hawks came in with the No. 5 seed and faced Minneapolis South in the quarterfinals.


Boys Hockey Wraps Up Regular Season
The White Hawks' conference finale was Feb. 12 against heavily favored and state-ranked Delano. The Tigers outshot the White Hawks 52-9 on their way to a 6-0 victory.


Youth Wrestlers Compete in Area Tourneys
The Westonka White Hawks wrestling program held the annual MWO Youth Open at Mound Westonka High School on Feb. 14.


Nordic Skiers Take Part in Charlie Banks Relays
The day before two of their teammates competed in the state Nordic meet, eight Mound Westonka High School skiers participated in the Charlie Banks Relays on Feb. 10 at Giant's Ridge.

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.

2/23
Chef's Academy: After School Snacks - Shirley Hills (grades 1-4) 
2/24
Zumba Dance & Fitness

Group Hypnosis for Both Weight Loss and Stop Smoking/Chewing Tobacco

Chef's Academy: After School Snacks - Hilltop (grades 1-4) 

Group Hypnosis to Stop Smoking/Chewing Tobacco

Group Hypnosis for Weight Loss
2/26
NEW Cabin Fever Reliever
Upcoming Events
Friday, February 19
Shirley Hills Read-a-Thon Kick-Off
Shirley Hills Sumo Wrestling, 2:15
   Principal Eidsness & Mr. Piccioli
Wrestling Individual Sections
Girls Basketball vs. Annandale, MWHS, 7:00

Saturday, February 20
Speech Invitational at Apple Valley
Wrestling Individual Sections
Boys Basketball at Rockford, 1:30
Sadie Hawkins Dance, 7:30-11:00

Monday, February 22
Region 2AA Band Contest

Tuesday, February 23
Grandview Student/Parent Conferences, 3:00-8:00
Hilltop & Shirley Hills Parent Conferences, 4:00-8:00
MWHS Parent/Teacher Conferences, 5:00-8:00
Girls Basketball vs. Litchfield, MWHS, 7:00

Thursday, February 25
Hilltop & Shirley Hills Parent Conferences, 4:00-8:00
MWHS Parent/Teacher Conferences, 5:00-8:00

Friday, February 26
NO SCHOOL - Student/Parent Conferences
Hawkettes Dance Spectacular, MWHS, 7:00

Looking Ahead

February 29
Student Celebrations Assembly, MWHS

March 3
Shirley Hills Imagination Fair

March 4
Link Crew Dance

March 7
Shirley Hills Family Ice Skating - Thaler Arena

March 10
Shirley Hills 1st and 4th Grade Concerts

March 11
Hilltop Sleepover, Grades 2-4

March 13
All District Band Concert

March 14
School Board Meeting

March 18
Stuff the Bus

March 21
All District Choir Concert

March 25
NO SCHOOL Teacher Professional Day

March 28 - April 1
NO SCHOOL - SPRING BREAK


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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