By Chuck Friedbauer

Being a high school freshman can be a stressful time for even the most confident of students.

“I had the hugest stomach ache ever on that first day,” said Chaska High School freshman Sondra Wentz. “But it went away and, you know what, I really like this school.”

Wentz said she owes her adjustment to high school life to the school’s LINK Crew, a group of juniors and seniors who have been trained to help ease that transition for freshmen.

By Chuck Friedbauer

The District 112 School Board has certified a preliminary 2011 levy at a maximum increase of 5.25 percent.

Combined with decreasing property values, the property tax impact on a local average homeowner would be an approximate 6.8 percent increase, or about $108.

After a gloomy morning, the sun came out just in time for the Chaska High School Homecoming Parade last Friday afternoon.

The parade, which wound its way from the government center to City Square Park downtown, featured a number of floats carrying the Hawks football team and members of the Homecoming court as well as school organizations, local politicians and even Hawks Hall of Fame inductees. See images from the parade in the video below.

A Northwood Rubrum Maple tree was planted at Chaska Elementary School in honor of “Green for Life Day,” a volunteer tree planting project targeting schools throughout Minnesota.

Sponsored by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association and endorsed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the project helps educate students and the public about the environmental benefits of trees, plants and other components of a healthy outdoor living environment, according to a Chaska Elementary School press release.

By Chuck Friedbauer

Amy Gallus began her tenure as the principal of Guardian Angels Catholic School on Sept. 1.

She has spent the previous nine years as primarily a middle school math teacher at the school, with the last three as an assistant principal as well. In total, she has spent 17 years in the Catholic school system after receiving a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2003 and an Educational Specialist Degree in 2008, both from the University of St. Thomas.

By Chuck Friedbauer

Homecoming activities for Chaska High School will once again be located both at the high school and in downtown Chaska. The annual parade will wind through the city at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24.

Coronation of the royal court, which included “couples” from each Chaska elementary school, was held Monday evening at City Square. Taylor Diles is homecoming king and Lauren Beck is homecoming queen.

Former CHS football coach Phil Link has pleaded guilty to felony theft.

Link was charged with two counts of felony theft in February after being accused of stealing more than $7,600 from School District 112. He entered his guilty plea in Carver County Court on Tuesday, Sept. 21.