Community e-Newsletter

July 21, 2019

Note from the Superintendent

Hello District families,

I hope you are having a terrific summer!  I am writing to let you know that after a long, thoughtful process the School Board voted last Monday night to place a bond referendum question on the November 5 ballot.

The plan addresses needs district-wide:

  • Accommodates projected enrollment growth
  • Provides safe, secure & healthy learning environments for all students through investments in our aging facilities and infrastructure
  • Increases opportunities for students through a single 9-12 high school experience
  • Creates flexibly-designed learning spaces to support student-centered instruction

See the full press release here.

We will continue to provide updates to families and the community as informational materials are created, the most recent of which was a Bear's Update postcard sent to all district residents in June. More information and details about the planning process that led to the recommendation can be found at https://www.isd624.org/Bond2019.

Thank you for your commitment to our students as we courageously build the future!

Go Bears!

Wayne A. Kazmierczak, Ph.D.
Superintendent

In Photos: Sunny adventures

Collage of students having fun this summer

Student News

Summer explorations

Vadnais Heights Elementary hosted the first-ever Summer R.A.P. (Read, Activities, Play) event at Berwood Park. It was a great day to make a wind sock, play some games, determine how many rubber bands it takes to split a watermelon and everyone went home with a book. From White Bear to Europe, thirty high school students and five chaperones recently had a great experience traveling the world and visiting Ireland, Wales and England for nine days. Students got a chance to explore the culture, cuisine, and wonders of the area starting in Shannon, Ireland and ending in London, England. The summer opportunities continued! WBLAS Career Pathways students have been having a great summer participating in the GenZ Connection Program which is a paid, experiential learning program that allows students to see all the career possibilities in Manufacturing, Engineering, and Automotive industries. In other fun news, WBLAHS grad Farris Al-Humayani '14 will travel to Australia in October within a U of M student group to race a full-sized solar-powered car they designed. Check out the fun story in this White Bear Press article.

A group of students and adults smile at the camera during their trip to Europe

The traveling fun continues! Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students recently enjoyed a trip to the Boundary Waters! Students were able to hike, canoe and take in the beauty of a waterfall! They had fun learning about the outdoors and sharpening their leadership skills! Speaking of the outdoors, students recently had fun getting their feet wet in the lake at Memorial Beach while testing out boats they created! Each group incorporated different materials to help their boats float in the water! This was a fun experience possible through a design-thinking process, emphasizing creativity, problem-solving and student-centered learning.

Community fun

Students recently enjoyed a Young Entrepreneurs Camp at Lincoln Elementary.  First, the students were able to create a business plan for a lemonade stand. Then, they were able to actually put their plans into action with hosting a stand. One component of their plan was to produce marketing and advertising content to get hands-on experience with promoting their goal, which was to serve the community! The students raised more than $250 and collected a few canned goods that will benefit the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf. From one fun experience to the next, families recently enjoyed a Party in the Park! All were invited to the Community Services and Recreation Department's free event where they could have fun with a picnic dinner, sports, games and crafts!

A group of students holding lemonade stand signs in the Media Center

It was recently a fun time for 144 golfers who came out to support the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation's 20th Annual Golf Tournament! Go Bears! In other fun summer news, district staff members have been having fun applying temporary tattoos, giving away pencils, sharing information and having great conversations with community members about the district's future at Marketfest! Check out this video to see the excitement. The White Bear football players recently attended the event and helped set up the Senior Center Craft Corner! Stop by this Thursday night for the last Marketfest this summer! Early childhood students and families have also been having fun playing and learning more about the environment around them this summer. Families recently attended a Blooming Babies class and were able to sing songs together and play at a water sensory station! The district news continues, as a connection to the District was mentioned in a recent White Bear Press story highlighting a group of Red Bull soldiers from the White Bear area. In other Bear-related news, several teachers have been participating in externships this summer to learn skills to bring back to their classrooms! WBLAHS teacher Seth Salenger recently participated in a White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce externship program, gaining industry experience in order to better teach students, with placement at CHIPS and Stillwater Express Solutions. Go Bears!

Activities Update

Former Bear Justin Braun has been acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers. Bears pitcher Trent Schoeberl was recently highlighted in the White Bear Press as a Gopher recruit and Mr. Baseball finalist. Bears' baseball coach Steve Henry was recently highlighted in the White Bear Press for work he's done with the team. Go Bears!

Find a complete list of all WBLAHS Activities, Athletics and Fine Arts here.

Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7695) to submit Student News for inclusion in future publications. 

School Board News

Upcoming Meetings

School Board Regular Meeting Subscribe to Alerts
Community Room 112, District Center
School Board Regular Meeting Subscribe to Alerts
Community Room 112, District Center
School Board Regular Meeting Subscribe to Alerts
Community Room 112, District Center

Past Meeting Highlights

June 27 Work-Study 

July 15 Regular

District News

General Information