Westonka News | January 6, 2023

Small School Advantages. Big School Opportunities. Real-life Success Stories.

It's Kindergarten Round-Up Time!

Calling the Westonka Public Schools Class of 2036! Both of Westonka's award-winning primary schools are offering in-person orientation activities for incoming kindergarten families next week. You can also visit the school websites for virtual tours, videos, presentations and registration information.

Kindergarten Round-Up

'Oliver!' Receives Spotlight Education Awards

Mound Westonka High School Theatre and Grandview Middle School Troupers wrapped a successful production of "Oliver!" at the end of November. The classic tale and musical theatre masterpiece received accolades from the Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Education Program in December. This production featured 86 middle and high school students throughout, including the cast, crew, and pit.

MWHS Names 2022-23 Triple 'A' Award Winners

Mound Westonka High School has chosen seniors Daniel Kaczanowski and Laura Sunnarborg to represent the school at the regional Triple "A" Awards banquet. 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.

Natalie Miner Named MWHS ExCEL Award Winner

Junior Natalie Miner has been selected as the Mound Westonka High School recipient of the Minnesota State High School League’s ExCEL Award. ExCEL—Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership—is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, show leadership qualities and demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.

Grandview LEGO Teams Compete in Tournament

Two teams of Grandview Middle School students competed in the High-Tech Kids FIRST LEGO League Regional Tournament on Dec. 11. The FIRST Lego League, which introduces science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to children through fun, exciting hands-on learning, is intended to be a feeder program for the successful robotics team at Mound Westonka High School.

Nominations Now Open for 2023 Ann Bremer White Hawks Award

Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 24 for the 2023 Ann Bremer White Hawks Award. The award recognizes some of the many dedicated volunteers who offer exceptional service to our school community. Any Westonka staff member, parent or community member may nominate candidates for the award.

Schools Host 2022 Holiday Drives for WeCAN

Students at every school in the Westonka School District embraced the holiday spirit throughout December by collecting a variety of items for families served by the Western Communities Action Network (WeCAN). "Thank you to all of the Westonka students, parents and staff who made donations to WeCAN this season," said WeCAN Executive Director Christopher Anderson.

Jared Chapman Named December Winner of Westonka Way Award

Westonka Public Schools District Operations Specialist Jared Chapman has been named the December 2022 recipient of the Westonka Way Award. The monthly award celebrates non-licensed Westonka Public Schools staff members who go above and beyond for families, students and other staff—because that's the Westonka Way!

Community Education Updates

The digital version of the Winter/Spring 2023 Catalog is available for you to view. Registration opened Dec. 5. Copies of the catalog will be mailed to your home as soon as they are available to us.

Programs beginning the week of Jan. 9: The winter session of swim lessons will begin this week; Monday, Jan. 9 - White Hawks Archery Club (grades 4-12); Tuesday, Jan. 10 - Tae Kwon Do (ages 7 and up); Individual Band Instrument lessons (ages 10 and up); Wednesday, Jan. 11 - Claymation with Ms. Hans at Hilltop (grades 2-4).

Looking ahead **Check out our NEW Programs!**: Jan. 17 - Adult Enrichment | Grow Your Business with Instagram (virtual); Beginning Drum Circle (ages 12 and up). Jan. 18 - Kidcreate Studio | Nailed It! at Shirley Hills (grades K-4). Jan. 19 - Adult Enrichment | Snapchat (virtual); Kidcreate Studio |Nailed It! at Hilltop (grades K-4). Jan. 21 - Westonka Community Education Basketball (ages 3-9). Jan. 22 - Easy Partner Dancing at Orono Activity Center. Jan. 23 - Health & Wellness | Face Yoga (virtual); Babysitter Safety Training (ages 11 and older). Jan. 25 - CPR/AED/First Aid certification; Health & Wellness | Strong is the New Skinny (virtual); Engineering for Kids | STEM Club (grades K-3). Jan. 28 - Acrylic and Paper Collage (ages 14 and older); Woodcarving | Minnesota Winter Birds (ages 13-adult).

Questions? Please call (952) 491-8040 or email communityed@westonka.k12.mn.us for further assistance.

Sports Headlines

White Hawks Wrestlers Compete in Rochester Tourney

The Mound Westonka White Hawks wrestling squad traveled to Rochester and competed in the MatBoss Minnesota Christmas Tournament Dec. 16 and 17. Read more

Boys Swim Places Seventh at Jaguar Invite

The Mound Westonka boys swim and dive team finished seventh at the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguar Invitational on Dec. 17. Read more

White Hawks Nordic Team Competes at Hyland

The White Hawks Nordic skiers visited Hyland Lake Park Reserve on an unseasonably warm Dec. 14 afternoon to compete in their first 5k classic ski race of the season. Read more