WESTONKA News ~ March 4, 2016  

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Congratulations to Westonka's Semifinalists--
For Minnesota Teacher of the Year
For the second straight year, our district has had four teachers, one from each school building, qualify for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. This year, I am proud to announce that two Westonka teachers, Sue Simonson and Julie Thomas, have been named semifinalists for 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year!

Please read the Borg Report to learn more about this remarkable achievement.

MWHS Math Minds Compete--
In Grueling 14-Hour Challenge
While most of their peers were still snug in their beds last Saturday, five Mound Westonka High School students embarked on a 14-hour mathematical modeling challenge that tested their mental acuity, creativity, teamwork and concentration.

Seniors Taran Besant, Mason Elliott, Jaxon Helland and Joe and Sam Maruska joined nearly 5,000 students from around the United States Feb. 27 to compete in the 2016 Moody's Mega Math (M3) Challenge. Organized each year by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, M3 Challenge gives high school students the opportunity to answer specific real-world questions by applying mathematics and quantifying the related variables.

MWHS Theatre Presents 'Night Watch'--
March 17-20
The Mound Westonka High School Theatre Department is excited to present Lucille Fletcher's "Night Watch" as this spring's production.

Performances will be presented in the MWHS Little Theater at 7:30 p.m. March 17, 18 and 19, and at 2 p.m. on March 20. A show was added on Thursday, March 17, to accommodate double casting in three of the roles.

Westonka Well Represented--
At Region Large Group Choir Contest
The Mound Westonka High School Concert Choir earned a Superior rating in the Region 2AA Large Group Choir Contest at Dassel-Cokato High School on Feb. 29. The MWHS Varsity Women's Choir earned an Excellent rating in the contest.

MWHS Leaps into Celebration--
Of Second-Quarter Achievements
The Mound Westonka High School second quarter celebration assembly took place on Feb. 29 - so naturally, the theme was LEAP DAY! Throughout the day, references to frogs, jumping and leaping came into play.

Three Budding Westonka Artists Earn Ribbons--
In Youth Art Month Competition
 
Three budding Westonka artists have been awarded ribbons in the Art Educators of Minnesota Youth Art Month competition at Hopkins Center for the Arts. Fifth-grader Ernie Brothen of Grandview Middle School and fourth-grader Megan Stein and first-grader Alex Jenney of Hilltop Primary School were honored in the elementary category of the statewide student art competition. 

Looking for Summer Work or Employees?--
Don't Miss the Westonka Job Fair
Are you a high school student in need of a summer job? Are you a local business owner looking for employment help? You're in luck!

Westonka Community Education and Services will be hosting a job fair on Saturday, April 23 in the Mound Westonka High School cafeteria. The event is free and open to anyone (ages 14+) but is specifically designed for high school-aged students looking for summer employment opportunities.

WeCAN Receives 650+ Donations--
From Grandview Book Drive

As part of "I Love to Read Month" in February, students at Grandview Middle School collected over 650 new and gently-used books to donate to the Western Communities Action Network (WeCAN). The books were delivered on Feb. 29, with the help of four officers and squad cars from the Orono Police Department.

Westonka in the News
Classroom Caucus Provides Preview To Super Tuesday In Minnesota
Minnesota is among the few Super Tuesday states that will caucus for both parties.
It's a much more involved process than the traditional voting primary, and students at Mound Westonka High School got some last minute instruction before they cast their ballot.

The Teacher of the Year candidate field slims to 34 semifinalists
The race has grown tighter for Minnesota Teacher of the Year with the candidate pool whittled down to 34 from an initial group of 115 statewide ...
Star Tribune

Brothers from St. Michael Albertville finish as 3A champions
There was a lot more to the hug that Mitchell McKee gave younger brother Patrick than just congratulations following Patrick's 9-4 victory over Mound Westonka's Aaron Cashman in the Class 3A 106-pound final of the state wrestling championships ...

Colorful 5K will support schools
Westonka schools are partnering to sponsor the second annual Westonka 5K FUNd Color Run.

Former White Hawks athlete receives honors at UMAC indoor track and field invite
Former Mound Westonka White Hawks athlete, Cheyenne Hirdler, help her track team to a fourth place finish in the 4�400 meter relay at the 2016 Upper Midwest Indoor Track and Field Invitational.
Sports Highlights
White Hawks Wrestlers Place Three at State
The Mound Westonka High School White Hawks wrestling team had four participants in the 2016 Minnesota State High School League state wrestling tournament Feb. 26 and 27 and came home with three state placewinners. 


Girls Basketball Honors Pair of Seniors
The Mound Westonka High School girls basketball team honored seniors  Nikki Wharram and Morgan Courneya and JV/varsity parents at the last home game on Feb. 23. 


Sixth-Grade Hoopsters Remain Undefeated
A team of Grandview Middle School sixth-graders is 22-0 on the basketball court this season. The Westonka Youth Basketball Association 6th Grade Boys Black team hopes to continue its undefeated streak at a weekend tournament. View the team record and roster via the link below.

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.

3/7
Parent/Child Cookies and Canvas Painting Class (ages 5+)

Swing & Ballroom Dance

Beginning Spanish
3/8
Chef's Academy: Fruit Pizza - Shirley Hills (grades 1-4) 
3/9
Claymation (grades 1-4)

Chef's Academy: Fruit Pizza - Hilltop (grades 1-4) 
3/10
GMS Chef's Academy Once-A-Month Cooking Club: Fried Rice & Egg Rolls To-Go

Building a Chemical Free Lifestyle in the Home - Essential Oils Make N' Take
3/12
Parent & Child Swim Lessons

Learn-to-Swim Lessons

Preschool Aquatics

Beekeeping Basics at Gale Woods Farm
Upcoming Events
Friday, March 4
Link Crew Dance, 7:30-9:30

Sunday, March 6
DECA State Competition

Monday, March 7
DECA State Competition
Shirley Hills Family Ice Skating - Thaler Arena, 6:00-8:00

Tuesday, March 8
DECA State Competition

Thursday, March 10
Shirley Hills 1st Grade Concert, 6:30
Shirley Hills 4th Grade Concert, 7:30

Friday, March 11
Hilltop Sleepover, Grades 2-4, 7:00

Sunday, March 13
All District Band Concert


Looking Ahead

March 14
Hilltop PTA Meeting
School Board Meeting

March 15
Grandview PTO Meeting

March 16
Shirley Hills Parent Engagement Session

March 17
MWHS Spring Play

March 18
Stuff the Bus
MWHS Spring Play

March 19
MWHS Spring Play

March 20
MWHS Spring Play

March 21
All District Choir Concert

March 22
MWHS Coffee with the Principal
Shirley Hills PTA Meeting

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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