Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Jeff Peterson will assume district's activity direction following this week's resignation of Dion Koltes.
Jeff Peterson has been named interim activities director for the Westonka School District. The announcement follows this week's resignation of Dion Koltes, who stepped down after coming under public pressure for his suspension of several high school students for doing the "Harlem Shake" during a recent lunch hour. Among the suspended students were six Mound Westonka High School hockey players—who at the time were less than 48 hours away from an opening round playoff game. The boys were kept off the ice, and Mound Westonka eventually lost the game and were eliminated from the state tournament. In a letter to parents written Wednesday morning, Peterson—who also serves as head baseball coach—did not make mention of the "Harlem Shake" or …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The musical features an entire cast of sea creatures who sing and dance their way through the production, which includes over 40 students in the cast and crew.
- SCHOOLS
-
Wednesday, March 6
The community is invited to take part in an adventure “under the sea” when Grandview Middle School presents Disney’s "The Little Mermaid, Jr.," on the Grandview stage March 7 through 10. In a magical kingdom deep under the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice. The musical features an entire cast of sea creatures who sing and dance their way through the production, which includes over 40 students in the cast and crew. The performance is directed by Mary Todd Kaercher and Andrea Schussler, who feel this is one of …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
As a sixth-grader teacher at Grandview Middle School, Ostman Saxvik has taught science, math, reading, English and social studies.
by Lorrie Ham Congratulations to Kay Ostman Saxvik, the February Lord Fletcher’s Feature Teacher. Ostman Saxvik, a sixth-grader teacher at Grandview Middle School, has spent her entire 21-year teaching career in the Westonka Schools. She graduated with an Elementary Ed and Special Ed Degree from St. Cloud University and subsequently earned her Masters in Teaching and Learning from St. Mary’s University in Winona. As a sixth-grader teacher, Ostman Saxvik has taught science, math, reading, English and social studies. Prior to that, she taught special ed at GMS for one year and special ed to third and fourth-graders at Shirley Hills. “I truly enjoy when students make a connection, when the ‘light bulb goes off’ for them,” Ostman Saxvik said…
Friday, February 8, 2013
Gretchen Chilson will join other Minnesota musicians on 2014 European tour that will include concerts and sightseeing in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Italy.
- SCHOOLS
-
Friday, February 8
by Lorrie Ham Gretchen Chilson, Band Director at Grandview Middle School and Mound Westonka High School, has been selected to be on the staff of the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music. This group will represent Minnesota on a 16-day tour of seven European countries in July of 2014. The Minnesota Ambassadors are comprised of a select concert band and choir made up of students from throughout the state. Chilson is in her 10th year of teaching and seventh year in Westonka schools. She holds bachelor degrees in music education and music performance from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, and earned a Masters Degree in clarinet performance from the University of Arizona. Chilson was selected by the tour directors because of her quality …
Friday, February 1, 2013
By winning the competition, the four students and their coaches earned an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the Annual Future Cities National Finals during National Engineers Week, Feb. 15-19.
- SCHOOLS
-
Friday, February 1
by Lorrie Ham Grandview Middle School is now home to the Future Cities Championship Trophy after a team of young engineers won the Minnesota State Future Cities Competition Jan. 19 at the University of Minnesota. The GMS team—Jessy Cai, Maddy Bacon, Megan Heins and Brandon Ung—beat out 43 teams from around the state to win the title. By winning the competition, the four students and their coaches earned an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the Annual Future Cities National Finals during National Engineers Week, Feb. 15-19. The team is coached by Jennifer Naslund, with assistance from community engineer mentors Jeff Fish, Barry Robbins, Brian Naslund and Sarah Reinhardt. “I am so proud of these students, their teacher, …
Friday, July 20, 2012
What you and your child need with the first day of school just over six weeks away.
- SCHOOLS
-
Friday, July 20, 2012
by Mary Pat McNeil It’s very hot outside, and summer is just coming into full swing, but school supplies are already showing up at your favorite retail stores, fall sports registration is already underway and Westonka staff is busy preparing for the new school year. Here are a few helpful tips to get you ready: Here’s How to Find Supply Lists: To find out what your student needs for classes at Westonka, visit the district website. Choose your school from the “Our Schools” tab at the top of the page, and find a link to the supply list on each school’s home page. Or in the case of Shirley Hills, select “Parents” in the left menu and find the supply list in a group of informational items. Want to Help Others by Donating Supplies? The …
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Pair of schools honored as ‘Reward Schools’ under new state measurement,
- SCHOOLS
-
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Earlier this week both Grandview Middle School and Shirley Hills Primary School earned the highest designation under the new Minnesota school accountability tool: Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR). Their top ranking as “Reward” schools means Shirley Hills and Grandview are listed in the top 127 Title I schools out of a possible 850 MN Title I schools. "We are even more pleased to note that if Hilltop and MWHS were also Title I schools, they would also be honored with the ‘Rewards’ designation,” Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Mark Femrite said. Title 1 schools qualify for federal funding based on demographic data to support student learning. Under MMR, Title 1 schools can receive the following designations: "Reward" …
Monday, April 23, 2012
Teams had to build a small structure made of only wood and glue with a max weight of 50 grams for the girls and 25 grams for the boys during the Destination Imagination state finals.
- SCHOOLS
-
Monday, April 23, 2012
Lorrie Ham Westonka's Secondary Level Destination Imagination Team earned a trip to the Global Finals after finishing in second-place at the state tournament last Saturday in Champlin. Ninth-graders Connor Born, Conner Demchuk, Zach Hoh, Nick Battis, Zach Martin and Trey Peterson—dubbed DI Terminators—advanced to the Global Finals, which will take place May 23-26 in Knoxville, TN. The Middle Level DI team also did very well at the state tournament, placing 5th of the 12 competing teams. Grandview sixth-graders Brandi Norum, Katie Ferrell, Sydney Hermanson, Megan Heins, Calli Battis, Audrey Woychick and Liz Thorson did well against the competition. Both teams competed in Maple Grove back in February to earn the right to compete at the state…
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Guys and Dolls Jr. will be presented by Grandview Middle School students.
- SCHOOLS
-
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Hot Box girls, missionaries, policemen, gamblers and entertainers join forces in the Grandview Middle School’s production of Guys and Dolls Jr. “Students have outdone themselves!” said Director Mary Todd Kaercher. “This year the boys take center stage and are ready to wow you. You won't believe what hockey and basketball players can do.” The entire cast is spunky, talented and chomping at the bit to entertain. Guys and Dolls Jr. is an upbeat, lively show full of dancing and catchy tunes. Directors Mary Todd Kaercher and Andrea Schussler believe this is one of the best shows they have ever done. Performances are March 29 and 30 at 7 p.m., March 31 at 4 p.m. and April 1 at 2 p.m. If you go: Tables $45 for 4 people Family discount: Adult $21 …
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Integration of technology in the classroom earns pair of Westonka teachers peer recognition.
- SCHOOLS
-
Thursday, January 19, 2012
By Lorrie Ham Grandview Middle School teacher Megan Lhotka and Westonka High School teacher Kristin Wallace received Exceptional Teacher Awards last month at the TIES 2011 Education Technology Conference in Minneapolis. The two were among 83 teachers from 43 districts to be honored. Nominated by their principals and chosen by Superintendent Kevin Borg, the two educators were selected for the award, which recognizes teachers who model the best practices in using technology in their classroom and engaging students in learning. Megan Lhotka, a seventh grade math teacher at Grandview, is a technology trailblazer in her school. From the moment she walked in the door, she has embraced technology in her classroom and was one of their first SMART …
