Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Lessons Learned

collage of student and staff photos

Student News

Mark the Calendar

Thank you to those who joined Superintendent Kazmierczak at the outdoor tables near Downtown WBL Caribou Coffee and Cup and Cone for the recent "Coffee with Dr. K." Future “Coffee with Dr. K” events are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 7 and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 6.

Two adults outside coffee shop

The American Indian Education Program's Advisory Committee's October meeting is scheduled as a video call on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 13. The goal of the program is to provide meaningful, intentional, effective academic/non academic services and opportunities to every district American Indian student, while fostering cultural identity and pride. Find additional details here.

Unity Day will take place this year on October 21. In celebration, district students and staff members will wear orange that day to show that we are together against bullying, and united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

The district's Senior Program has two opportunities for all community members scheduled in the coming weeks. Next Wednesday, Oct. 14 they will host a fundraiser feast from 4-7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Senior Center (2484 East County Road F, WBL). Dine-in or pick-up are available from the Pig Approved BBQ food truck. See information here. The Senior Program is also in the process of planning for its annual Holiday Boutique, which will take place Nov. 6 and 7 at the Normandy Park Education Center Senior Center. Find details here.

Creative Lessons

Central Middle School celebrated Kindness Week this week. Early in the week, all CMS students watched a short video about how Kindness is Cool and then completed their own kindness doodle that will be display around school. Student Council members covered the school’s sidewalks in kindness in chalk messages and students ended the in-school week with an "Orange Out/ White Bear Gear” day.

Student writing sidewalk chalk message

Second graders at Matoska International IB World School enjoyed a math lesson this week. The students combined a class meeting, facilitated by a student, and math lessons via an online math game. The result was a fun combined learning opportunity for students learning in school and at home. The experience was captured in Friday's share-out of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds." 

Students in classroom at the computer

On the move

The Automation and Robotics class at Sunrise Park Middle School completed a pull toy project and parade this week to end the quarter. Last week, eighth graders at Sunrise enjoyed their first class using machines in manufacturing education class after learning safety precautions. Students learning at home researched similar projects and looked at ways they can apply the lessons elsewhere. See the highlight in last week's issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds."

Student with robot

The "Bear Bike" team, with alumni members Trevor Putnam and Tony Roth, completed their 50-mile bike ride around town yesterday. The group rode past many district buildings before ending at a downtown White Bear Lake establishment, and they exceeded their $5000 fundraising goal in the process. The money raised will be used to cover youth rec sign-up fees for families in need. See additional details about the fundraiser in this White Bear Press article.

adults lined up with bikes

In the Lens

The district's Latino Cultural Liaison Briana Santoscoy recently described the history and cultural importance of El Dia de los Muertos in a free opportunity made available by the White Bear Center for the Arts. In the pre-recorded lesson, Michoacan Artist Leonel Nery demonstrates the art of making La Calavera Catrina. “The elegant skull,” known as La Catrina, has become a festive symbol for the Dia de los Muertos, although it has much deeper meanings. See the video here.

Adult woman

The district's October Career Pathways issue features an alumni highlight of '19 grad Andre Keler, details of virtual college visits, features on pathways classrooms, and special thanks to partners. Alumnus Dan Ross, who graduated from White Bear in 1999, recently won the Pioneer Press Butter Sculpture Contest. See an article about the accomplishment here. White Bear Lake Magazine recently featured work from WBLAHS 2020 graduate Jessica Person, a piece called "Carrier Bird" created in art class last year. Read about the artwork here.

art of person and bird

Last weekend's Community e-Newsletter Video Edition was a share-out of the "State of the District" address Dr. K recorded for the recent White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation BEAR Legacy Virtual Fundraiser. See the video here. Dr. Kazmierczak was also featured recently on Suburban Community Channel's "Inside Health Care October 2020." His interviewer Jodi Ritacca has a connection to White Bear Lake Area Schools, as her grandchildren are in the district.

The youngest Bears continue to be captured on camera as well, modeling "Born to be a Bear" onesies that are mailed to families in the district when little ones arrive, along with Early Childhood information. Find information about the district-wide Early Childhood opportunities here.

Baby in Bear onesie

Activities Update

Students were inducted into the National Honor Society this week, granted membership based on scholarship, service, leadership and character.  See video footage of the event here. WBLAHS Football and Volleyball teams will play their fall season from October to December. Read details here. White Bear Lake Area High School athletic contests are now available via live streaming provided by PrepSpotlightTV. The live stream arrangement is done in partnership with MSHSL and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidance. Full information, including links to purchase live streaming, can be found 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.

School Board News

Upcoming Meetings

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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 28 Work Session

September 14 Regular

District News

General Information