Westonka Community Education and Services

Engineering for Kids | STEM Club Grades K - 4 All new lessons for the new school year! Calling new and returning students! The Engineering for Kids Jr Engineering/STEM Club brings fun, hands-on lessons every week to introduce engineering concepts at a young age. For each lesson, students focus on developing 21st Century skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. These life skills give students the confidence to approach challenges in their lives and realize that they can succeed in anything! Session I Week 1: Jr Environmental Engineering - Fall Homes Students will learn about some different ways animals prepare for winter and will use the Engineering Design Process to design a den that keeps an animal safe in the winter. Week 2: Jr Construction Engineering - Corn Maze Students will use the Engineering Design Process to design and build a corn maze with a start, a finish, and a path that connects them. Week 3: Jr Acoustic Engineering - Kazoo Students will experiment with sound and make their own kazoo. Week 4: Jr Structural Engineering - Fall Harvest Students will learn how scarecrows are used to protect food that is growing and will use the Engineering Design Process to design a scarecrow that can stand up to Fall weather. Tuesdays, September 23 - October 21 (no class October 14) 3:40 - 4:40 pm Hilltop Primary School | Art Room #2038-A25F $119 __________________________________________________________________________________ Thursdays, September 25 - October 23 (no class October 16) 3:40 - 4:40 pm Shirley Hills Primary School | Art Room #2038-B25F $119 Session II Week 1: Jr Mechanical Engineering - Treat Dispenser Students will learn about simple machines and design a simple treat dispenser. Week 2: Jr Civil Engineering - Fall Fort Students will learn about the importance of a strong base to support a building and will use the Engineering Design Process to design and construct a fort. Week 3: Jr Environmental - Engineering Wind Turbine Students will explore renewable clean energy resources like wind energy, learn how energy can be transformed and design a wind turbine that uses energy transformation to lift a small object. Week 4: Jr Aerospace Engineering - Striking Snowflakes Students will learn what an aerospace engineer is, what a meteorologist is, and land a snowflake on a target. Tuesdays, November 11 - December 9 (no class November 25) 3:40 - 4:40 pm Hilltop Primary School | Art Room #2038-C25F $119 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Thursdays, November 13 - December 11 (no class November 27) 3:40 - 4:40 pm Shirley Hills Primary School | Art Room #2038-D25F $119

KidScientific | Christmas Chemistry Grades K-4 The magic of the holiday season meets the wonders of science! In this festive class, kids will embark on a journey of discovery as they explore chemistry through glittery, Christmasy experiments. Each experiment is designed to captivate young minds and ignite a love for science. The children will unravel the mysteries of chemical reactions while creating dazzling holiday-themed creations. Join us for a merry and magical adventure where science and Christmas cheer collide! Wednesday, December 17 3:40 - 4:40 pm Shirley Hills Primary School | Art Room #2020- A25F $29 __________________________________________________________ Thursday, December 18 3:40 - 4:40 pm Hilltop Primary School | Art Room #2020-B25F $29

Science Arcade with KidScientific Grades K - 4 Join us as we transform complex scientific concepts into thrilling games and activities. Brace yourself as you create your very own DIY Catapults. Learn about chain-reactions as you make an awesome Rube Goldberg Machine. Dive into a world of hands-on experiments that will turn learning into pure play. We guarantee non-stop fun and excitement as we unravel the mysteries of science through interactive games. Get ready to unleash your creativity and critical thinking skills in a dynamic environment. Prepare yourself for laughter, challenges, and amazing discoveries. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to play your way through fascinating scientific concepts! Wednesdays, November 12 - December 10 (no class November 26) 3:40 - 4:40 pm Shirley Hills Primary School | Art Room #2019-A25F $105 __________________________________________________________________________________ Thursdays, November 13 - December 11 (no class November 27) 3:40 - 4:40 pm Hilltop Primary School | Art Room #2019-B25F $105

Senior Year, Your Way: A Visioning Workshop for Parents & Teens Instructor Summer Koide Create a shared vision for senior year before it speeds by. In this reflective session for high school seniors and their parents, we’ll use prompts, visuals, and collaborative exercises to plan what matters most - whether it’s homecoming, family rituals, prom, or graduation. Leave with a clear, personalized roadmap for your final year together at home. Thursday, October 9 6:00 - 8:00 pm Westonka Activity Center | Conference Room #7804-A25F $49 per parent / child couple

Westonka Middle School Spring 2026 Musical - Shrek Jr. Grades 5 - 8 Director Mary Todd Kaercher Join us for Shrek Jr. the Musical, where big laughs, catchy songs, and fairytale fun await! Step into Shrek’s swamp and bring your favorite green ogre, Donkey, Fiona, and all the fairytale misfits to life on stage. It’s gonna be "ogre-the-top fun," so mark your calendars now and watch for more details in the Winter/Spring 2026 Community Education Catalog. All students must be registered prior to audition Auditions for Grades 7 and 8 will take place Tuesday, January 6, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and Grades 5 and 6 will take place Wednesday, January 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. All auditions will begin in the WMS cafeteria. A rehearsal schedule will be sent home and updated on Schoology to allow for family scheduling. Rehearsals at WMS will be Monday - Friday, but not every character will have rehearsal each day. Rehearsals will move from WMS to the Performing Arts Center on Monday, March 16. Actors are allowed three missed rehearsals with prior notice to the directors. Any more missed rehearsals will be reviewed by the directors and subject to removal from the cast without a refund. An informational meeting will be held on Monday, January 12 at 5:00 pm in the GMS Cafeteria. Performances are Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 at 7 pm, Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 at 2 pm at the Westonka Performing Arts Center. Produced and Directed by Mary Todd Kaercher, Music Director Melissa Bray, Shirley Hills Music Teacher, and Choreographed by Jamie Harms, WHS Theatre Director. Save the Date! * Auditions are Tuesday, January 6 for Grades 7 & 8 and Wednesday, January 7 for Grades 5 & 6 with Performance Dates April 23 - 26, 2026 Performers #2035-A26W $175 (t-shirt included) _________________________________________________________________________ Backstage | Tech crew Please call Leslie Carter, administrative assistant at 952.491.8041 or email carterl@westonka.k12.mn.us for pre-approval process #2035-B26W $75 (t-shirt included)

All Things Grinch Instructor Jessica Lunski, WMS Teacher Follow the steps to draw and paint a portrait of The Grinch to hang up for the holidays! While your masterpiece dries, we will make a batch of green slime and Grinch punch. The punch plus a peanut-free snack will be served. Tuesday, December 9 3:00 - 5:00 pm Westonka Middle School | Mrs. Lunski’s Room 142 #2028-A25F $49

Babysitter Safety Training Ages 11 and older Instructor Shelly Nahan Boys and girls ages 11 and up, learn skill training and information that is necessary in caring for infants and children in this American Health & Safety Institute accredited program. This program will teach the importance of responsibility, recognizing an emergency, emergency action steps, personal safety, fire and water safety, infant/child/ basic care, and also responding to an unconscious victim, CPR, choking management and basic First Aid. Upon successful completion participants will earn the American Health & Safety Institute Child and Babysitting Safety certification card. Students should bring a pen, notebook, snacks and a beverage to class. Tuesday, October 21 4:30 - 7:30 pm Westonka Activity Center | Conference Room #2008-A25F $65

Driver’s Education Students 14 ½ years and older Instructor, Pam Garvais This class includes 30 hours of classroom instruction. Students must attend every session; state law requires 30 hours of classroom instruction. After completing this course, students sign up with a commercial driving school before taking the permit test. After passing the permit test, students take six hours of Behind the Wheel instruction through a commercial driving driving school. Bring a pencil and highlighter to class. Please note: one White CArd will be issued to a student upon the successful completion of their 30-hour course. An additional $20 (cash only) will be charged to replace a lost or missing white or blue card. Instructor Pam Garvais is certified by the State Board of Education and the MN Department of Transportation. Monday - Thursday, September 15 - 18, 22 - 25, 29 & 30 3:15 - 6:15 pm Thaler Sports Center | Conference Room #2004-A25F $135 ______________________________________________________________________ Monday - Thursday, December 1 - 4, 8 - 11, 15 & 16 3:15 - 6:15 pm Thaler Sports Center | Conference Room #2004-B25F $135 ________________________________________________________________________ Monday - Thursday, January 26 - 29, February 2 - 5, 9 & 10 3:15 - 6:15 pm Thaler Sports Center | Conference Room #2004-A26W $135

Gingerbread Houses Instructor Jessica Lunski, WMS Teacher Put together and decorate a gingerbread house - just in time for the holidays! A snack and water will be provided. Wednesday, December 17 3:00 - 5:00 pm Westonka Middle School | FACS Kitchen #2030-A25F $49

Halloween Treats Instructor Jessica Lunski, WMS Teacher Use your creativity to create and decorate some Halloween goodies. No tricks - all treats! Tuesday, October 28 3:00 - 5:00 pm Westonka Middle School | FACS Kitchen #2025-A25F $49

Holiday Sugar Cookies Instructor Jessica Lunski, WMS Teacher Kick off the holiday season by baking and decorating sugar cookies. You’ll complete the entire process - from baking soft, delicious sugar cookies to decorating them like a pro. A snack and water will be provided. Monday, December 15 3:00 - 5:00 pm Westonka Middle School | FACS Kitchen #2029-A25F $49

Ombre Winter Trees Instructor Jessica Lunski, WMS Teacher Have some fun with a paintbrush, acrylic paints, a squeegee and some salt to create an ombre winter tree scene. Hot chocolate and a peanut-free snack will be served! Tuesday, November 11 3:00 - 4:30 pm Westonka Middle School | Mrs. Lunski’s Room 142 #2026-A25F $49

Pottery with Ms. Hans Grades 2 - 4 Instructor Klair Hans, Hilltop Art Teacher Come and get creative with clay and Ms. Hans after school! At the first class, students will create their pieces of art, and at the second class (after the project is fired in the kiln) students will decorate and glaze their project. Projects will be ready approximately one week after the second class and will be passed back to the students during the school day. Wednesdays, November 5 & 19 3:40 - 4:40 pm Hilltop Primary School | Art Room #2016-A25F $55

Pumpkin Pie, Oh My - Realistic Art & Tasting Instructor Jessica Lunski, WMS Teacher In this class, students will use drawing chalk to create realistic pumpkin pie art, from the crust textures to the creamy filling and dollop of whipped cream. Students will have the option to sample pumpkin pie while they create! Monday, November 24 3:00 - 4:30 pm Westonka Middle School | Mrs. Lunski’s Room 142 #2027-A25F $49

Star Gazing Art Instructor Jessica Lunski, WMS Teacher Create a view of the night sky! This project involves watercolor painting and drawing. A peanut-free snack will be provided. Wednesday, October 8 3:00 - 4:30 pm Westonka Middle School | Mrs. Lunski’s Room 142 #2024-A25F $49