WESTONKA News ~ April 22, 2016  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Bond Referendum
Girls Design the World
Best High Schools Award
'Lion King Jr.'
Celebration for Young Musicians
Kids' Stuff Sale
Job Fair
Color Run
Community Link Resource Fair
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Community Ed. Classes
Upcoming Events
Quick Links




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Get the Facts about the Bond Referendum--
Less Than Three Weeks Until Election Day
The Westonka Schools bond referendum special election is less than three weeks away. The single-question referendum will ask voters to approve $22.95 million in bond funding, payable over 15 years, for the purposes of building a 600-seat performing arts center and a community athletics and recreation center at Mound Westonka High School. 

Visit the Referendum Hub, where you can watch a video about the referendum, read FAQs, download an absentee ballot application, find your polling place and more. Gather the facts and vote on or before May 10.
 
MWHS Students Reflect on Eye-Opening Trip to Kenya--
With Girls Design the World
After traveling for over 18 hours, Mound Westonka High School sophomore Amy Howarth and junior Breanna Hrkal arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, for a spring break experience that they will never forget.

Howarth, Hrkal and sophomore Joelle Hoernemann were among 20 Minnesota high school students selected last fall to participate in a cross-cultural exchange program called Girls Design the World. Five Minneapolis Girls Design the World participants--including Howarth and Hrkal--were randomly chosen to receive expenses-paid trips to meet the Nairobi Girls Design the World cohort in March.

Mound Westonka Nationally Ranked--
In U.S. News 'Best High Schools' for 2016
According to a national ranking released this week by U.S. News & World Report, Mound Westonka High School continues to be one of the top performing high schools in the country. 

In the 2016 Best High Schools Rankings, MWHS had a national ranking of 1,015 out of more than 21,000 high schools surveyed. MWHS ranked 21st out of Minnesota's 760 high schools, earning the school a "silver medal."
 
'Lion King Jr.' Moves Audiences to Tears--
At Grandview Middle School
Hundreds of community members packed four performances of Disney's "The Lion King Jr."  at Grandview Middle School April 14-17. Put on by the Grandview Middle School Theater and Westonka Community Education and Services, the production involved 105 Grandview students.

"We are so very proud of this incredible cast and crew of 'The Lion King, Jr.'," said co-director Kelly Newell. "The four performances moved audience members to tears, as it was filled with goosebump moments, great singing and wonderful acting."

Shirley Hills Fourth-Graders Take Part--
In Celebration for Young Musicians
Eighteen fourth-grade students represented Shirley Hills Primary School at the 2016 Celebration for Young Musicians Music Festival on April 16. The students were chosen because they have demonstrated a high level of interest, skill and participation in music class.  

Early Childhood Kids' Stuff Sale--
April 30 at Thaler Arena
The 21st Annual Early Childhood Kids' Stuff Sale fundraiser will be held Saturday, April 30, at Thaler Sports Center, next to Mound Westonka High School. The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a special half-price sale from 1 to 2 p.m. A $1 donation will be collected at the door.

Attention High School Job Seekers--
Don't Miss the Westonka Job Fair this Saturday!
All high school job seekers are encouraged to attend the Westonka Job Fair this Saturday, April 23, in the Mound Westonka High School cafeteria. The free event will run from 9-11 a.m. and is targeted toward high school-aged students looking for summer employment.

Time is Running Out!--
Register Today for the Westonka 5K Color FUNd Run
There's only one week left to save $5 and guarantee your T-shirt for the 2016 Westonka 5K FUNd Color Run. The family-fun event will start at Mound Westonka High School at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 21.

Registration is $25 per runner. The price increases to $30 after Friday, April 29. T-shirts are only guaranteed to those registered by April 29.

Community Link Resource Fair--
Presented by WHCC
The Westonka Healthy Community Collaborative (WHCC) is sponsoring a Community Link Resource Fair on Thursday, April 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2451 Fairview Lane in Mound. 

This free community event is designed to bring neighbors together with resources they may otherwise have a difficult time accessing.

Westonka in the News
Girls lacrosse gears up for season with new coach
The Mound Westonka girls lacrosse team is gearing up for an action-packed 2016 season.

Boys golf team ready to work for a strong season
According to coach Andy Atkinson, the team has three returning players from the 2015 team.
Sports Highlights
Boys Tennis Impresses in Opening Play
Conference play started for the Mound Westonka High School boys tennis team last week with a home match against Buffalo on April 13. The White Hawks recorded a solid 6-1 win to start off the season before placing second at the Pine City Invitational Tournament the following weekend.


White Hawks Softball Splits to Start Season
Westonka varsity softball opened its season at Minnetonka April 12, battling both cold and snow flurries. With only one senior, co-captain Sydnie Peterson, the White Hawks have a young team with a lot of potential for growth.


Smerillo, Altman Set New Records in Track Win
The Mound Westonka High School boys track and field team won its four-team meet April 19, defeating Watertown-Mayer, Rockford and Glencoe-Silver Lake. Junior Dylan Smerillo and senior Josh Altman both set new school records.


Westonka J.O. Volleyball Wins Howard Lake Tourney
On April 17, the Westonka Junior Olympic Volleyball team won the Howard Lake Tournament for 15- and 16-year-old teams. It was the first championship win in Westonka's short J.O. Volleyball existence.

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.

4/25
Festive Spring Salads
4/26
Strength Training
 
Chef's Academy: Diggin in the Dirt (grades 1-4) 
4/27
Kidcreate Studio: Paint on Canvas-Van Gogh's Starry Night - Shirley Hills (grades K-4)

Chef's Academy: Diggin in the Dirt (grades 1-4) 
4/28
Kidcreate Studio: Paint on Canvas-Van Gogh's Starry Night - Hilltop (grades K-4)
4/30
WYBL 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U

Yoga

Total Body Conditioning
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 22
Girls Golf at Waconia, 4:00
Boys Golf at Waconia, 4:00
Boys Tennis at St. Peter, 4:00
Girls Softball at Watertown, 4:30
Grandview Spring Fling, 5:30-8:00

Saturday, April 23
DECA International Competition, Nashville, TN
Girls Softball Tourney at Maranatha Christian Academy, 9:00
Boys Tennis at St. James, 9:00
Baseball at Annandale, 3:00

Sunday, April 24
DECA International Competition, Nashville, TN

Monday, April 25
DECA International Competition, Nashville, TN
Boys Golf Invitational at Burl Oaks, 1:00
Shirley Hills Culver's Night, 4:00-8:00
Girls Lacrosse vs. Shakopee, MWHS, 6:30

Tuesday, April 26
DECA International Competition, Nashville, TN
Girls Golf at Timber Creek, 4:00
Boys Tennis at Hutchinson, 4:15
Boys Baseball at Litchfield, 4:30
Track & Field Quad at Orono, 4:30
Shirley Hills PTA Meeting, 6:30
Hilltop Grade 2 Concert, 6:30
Girls Lacrosse vs. Orono, MWHS, 7:00
Hilltop Grade 4 Concert, 7:30

Thursday, April 28
8th and 9th Distinguished Student Breakfast, 7:15
Boys Conference Golf at New London-Spicer, 4:00
Girls Conference Golf at Rockford, 4:00
Girls Softball at Annandale, 4:00
Boys Tennis at Providence Academy, 4:00

Friday, April 29
10th - 12th Distinguished Student Breakfast, 7:15
Hilltop Student Council Breakfast
Girls Softball vs. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, MWHS, 4:30

Saturday, April 30
Girls Lacrosse vs. Forest Lake, MWHS, 10:30
Baseball vs. Minneapolis South, MWHS, 12:00
 
Looking Ahead

May 2
School Board Meeting

May 5
Absentee Voting, ESC, 7:30 AM-7:30 PM
Shirley Hills Operetta, 7 PM

May 6
NO SCHOOL - Teacher Professional Day
Shirley Hills Operetta, 2:30 & 7 PM

May 7
MWHS Prom

May 9
Absentee Voting, ESC, 7:30-5:00
Shirley Hills Fourth-Graders to Wolf Ridge

May 10
Special Election Day, 7:00 AM-8:00 PM

May 11
MWHS Senior Scholarship Night

May 12
Senior Athletic Recognition Breakfast

May 13-14
Coffeehouse Jazz

May 15
NHS Induction Ceremony

May 16
Hilltop Fourth-Graders to Wolf Ridge
MWHS Spring Band Concert

May 19
Link Crew Breakfast
White Hawk/Varsity Choir Concert

May 21
Westonka 2016 Color Run

May 23
Concert Choir/Madd Jazz Spring Concert

May 29
MWHS Graduation

May 30
NO SCHOOL - Memorial 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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