Community e-Newsletter

Note from the Superintendent

We recently met with many community members and PTA/PTO’s throughout the district regarding the Nov. 5 Bond Referendum. Materials that were shared at the meetings, along with presentation and Q&As from the sessions, can be found in the gray box. 

2019 Bond Referendum logo

Some important information that was covered, and asked about specifically:

  • A successful bond referendum would accommodate projected enrollment growth due to housing turnover and new construction happening throughout the district. More than 2,000 new resident students are expected during the next ten years, 25% higher than current capacity.

  • Compared to neighboring districts, White Bear Lake Area Schools has the lowest voter-approved school debt tax levy. Investments in the district will result in higher property values, and keeps us from being outpaced by neighbors who have made significant investments in recent years.

  • Various property tax relief measures exist for those below a certain household income threshold. Additional information is available here.

Bond Referendum Public Meetings

Materials shared at the Bond Referendum Public Meetings that took place on Sept. 24, Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 can be found below:

Projected Enrollment
Voter Approved School Debt Tax Levy Chart
Estimated Impact on Property Taxes and of MN Homestead Credit Refund

Voting is now open. Find information below about how you can vote in person, by mail or on Election Day:

Find complete Voting Information here.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions to Bond2019@isd624.org or contact me at 651-407-7563. More information about the referendum can also be found here (www.isd624.org/Bond2019).

Wayne A. Kazmierczak, Ph.D.
Superintendent

In Photos: Fun Fall Experiences

A collage of students enjoying fun fall experiences

Student News

Hands-on opportunities

High school students recently celebrated National Manufacturing Day by visiting local organizations including Wilson Tool, Trane, Wilbert Plastic Services and Teamvantage! During their visits, students were able to tour the facilities and interact with professionals. From visiting organizations to parks, middle school students recently competed in the Conference Cross Country Championship at Lakewood Hills Park. The girls' and boys' teams lined up and dashed through the finish line, as they raced against many other teams in the conference. There were six different heats with students racing for nearly 1.25 miles before finishing their races. The exciting experience can be seen in this video. In other athletic news, community members are invited to support the Adapted Soccer team in their game against North Suburban (Centennial) from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at WBLAHS - North Campus in the gymnasium. Learn more. Go Bears!

A group of students smiling at the camera in front of organization

The fun continued as Central Middle School students have been brewing up joy as part of their Central Beans experience. The students have been busy brewing coffee, preparing cold beverages and delivering the delicious drinks to staff members. The Central Beans tagline states “A Coffee Shop with a Smile”, a perfect summary of the fun experience that can be seen in this video. From coffee to BEAR Time, WBLAHS - North Campus students are enjoying their flex period where they can pick from a long list of fun activities, get help from teachers and catch up on homework every day. Recently, students had fun with many opportunities, including making videos, enjoying Guitar Club, creating shrinky dinks, experimenting in the Innovation Lab and the Harry Potter Club spent time creating wands in the Media Center! The fun opportunity can be seen in this video. In other video news, the Suburban Community Channel recently interviewed Superintendent Kazmierczak about the upcoming Bond Referendum. Check out the interview in this video.

Two students working on a project

Early childhood explorations

There is an exciting new resource for families in the White Bear Community called the Community Baby Closet. This closet brings free infant products to families in the White Bear area including diapers, wipes, infant formula and infant toiletries such as shampoo, lotion and diaper cream. This resource is available thanks to Eva Lundblad who is a Cadette Girl Scout from Troop 55013 and made this possible by completing this as their Silver Award Project. Eva collaborated with the Early Childhood Outreach Team and Early Childhood PTA and conducted a needs assessment in the community where Eva found there was not a free resource focused on infants. This inspired Eva's project and made the closet possible, which is now stocked with donations from community members and organizations. To access this resource visit the Early Childhood Center at Normandy Park between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 651-653-3100. Learn more. Eva began the project in May and saw a successful completion of the project when handing it over to the Early Childhood Outreach Team and Early Childhood PTA at the fall Community Baby Shower. The free Community Baby Shower event was a great way for community members to get resources about infants while enjoying giving their baby's massages to help show families how to nurture their infant's health and development. Check out the fun morning in this video.

Adult and baby at Community Baby Shower

In more exciting early childhood news, students recently were able to enjoy early childhood's first family field trip to the pumpkin patch! Families took a bus ride to Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming where they enjoyed a tractor driven trolley ride out to pick their favorite pumpkins. Next, families were able to feed the farm animals, play in the corn pit, ride tractors and explore the giant slides. Farmer Sue, owner and operator of Pinehaven Farm, drove their first crew out to the pumpkin patch and also generously donated two wheelbarrows full of pumpkins and a box of gourds for early childhood teachers to use in their classrooms. These donations will help students learn all about how pumpkins grow, teach them about colors and textures, seeds and vines and so much more. White Bear's littlest learners loved their hands-on learning experience. 

Staff members at Pinehaven Farm surrounded by pumpkins

Community excitement

It was an exciting Friday night for those who gathered at the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation’s BEAR Legacy Fundraiser to give back to students. More than 250 guests were able to enjoy a social hour, dinner and program that  helped raise funds that will directly impact White Bear educators and students. View more videos and photos here. 

Three adults checking people in at the BEAR Legacy Fundraiser event

From one social outing to another, community members were invited to enjoy Senior Housing Awareness Day. During this event, attendees were able to receive more information regarding supportive in-home programs and services along with local senior housing options. In addition, there were 30 minute information sessions where attendees could learn about what to consider in living safely and independently in the home of their choice. Speaking of choices, one White Bear graduate has been making the fun choice to take advantage of many musical opportunities! Joshua Mason is a teacher at Gustavus Adolphus College and recently has been enjoying the duties of teaching jazz combos, directing the University Jazz Ensemble, and performing in the Graduate jazz combo, the NIU Jazztet. After Joshua Mason graduated from White Bear in 2013, they completed their Bachelor's Degree in Music Honors at Gustavus Adolphus College. During college, Joshua was a member of several ensembles and went on eleven performance tours across the nation/world in their four years. In 2017, Joshua began their master's degree at Northern Illinois University where Joshua served as a graduate teaching assistant in the music department. Besides teaching at Gustavus Adolphus College, Joshua is an active performer and educator throughout the Twin Cities area.

Adults talking at the Senior Housing Awareness Day event

Community members recently were able to attend the What you always wanted to know about Islam and Muslims presentation. This class aimed to help attendees have a better understanding of what Islam teaches and what Muslims practice. The class introduced basic terminology, demographics and differences between religion and culture, and attendees also had the opportunity to get their questions answered first-hand.

Learning adventures

Early childhood students at Tamarack Nature Center recently enjoyed making delicious apple cider. During the adventure, the students were able to learn more about apples and press the fruit to make the tasty drink. Speaking of food experiences, high school students are hosting a Food Drive the week of Oct. 28 through Nov. 1 to collect donations for the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf. Learn more about donations they are looking for that can be dropped off for collection at both WBLAHS - North and South Campus. Also, high school students will be coming around to Trick’r Can during Halloween. If you have any non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, or hygiene products that you are able to contribute, please put the items in a bag or box, attach this flyer, and place it on your front step or wait for the students to ring the bell!

Student learning how to make apple cider

At Willow Lane Elementary, kindergarten students recently were able to read the "My 'w' Book" together where they talked about what the letter looks like, sounds like and what objects start with "w". Then, the students practiced writing the letter "w". This was a fun way to integrate the academics into everything they do so they can absorb their learning in fun and exciting ways. The great experience can be seen in this video. The learning continued! Artists from White Bear Center for the Arts came to visit Vadnais Heights Elementary to teach students how to utilize watercolor paint and techniques. Students learned different ways to blend colors, paint lines and patterns and add texture to their artwork.

Student participating in classroom activity

Activities Update

Community members are invited to support the Adapted Soccer team in their game against North Suburban (Centennial) from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at WBLAHS - North Campus in the gymnasium. Learn more. 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. 

The Week in 62.4 Seconds

Enjoy The Week in 62.4 Seconds videos highlighting weekly district activities throughout the school year.

Bond Referendum Info to Know...

Informational graphic about details to know for the upcoming Bond Referendum
Informational graphic about early voting information regarding upcoming Bond Referendum
Informational graphic about the district's projected enrollment
Informational graphic about tax relief measures regarding the Bond Referendum
Informational graphic about a positive review from the Minnesota Department of Education regarding the Bond Referendum

School Board News

School Board Recognitions

A group of students being recognized for academic achievement at Oct. 14 School Board meeting

Before the October 14 School Board Meeting, the School Board congratulated AP Scholars and National honorees. Check out the experience in the October 18 edition of The Week in 62.4 Seconds video.

Upcoming Meetings

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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

September 23 Work-Study

October 14 Regular

District News

General Information