Community e-Newsletter

Exciting 2021 Graduation Rate Update

The district’s most recent 4-year graduation rate, released by MDE last week, tops the state’s graduation rate by almost eight percentage points, and WBLAHS - South Campus is in the top tier of high schools in the entire metro area. See the full press release here.

In Photos: Exciting Opportunities

Our Community Services and Recreation programs are open for summer registration including early childhood, youth recreation sports, youth enrichment, extended day and FLEX, adult programs, adult basic education and community events. You can learn more about these programs from our talented team through a fun video here. 

Student News

Hands-on Learning

Fourth and fifth graders at Lakeaires Elementary turned their classroom into a museum! Students spent weeks working on exhibits highlighting famous women in history. The students then became teachers, using the information they researched to educate classrooms full of students who walked through their museum. You can see their exhibit come to life in a recent video here

Middle and high school students taking Madame Lange's french class have participated in a March Madness style competition. The "La Manie Musicale de Mars" challenge puts 16 songs from around the French-speaking world against each other. Students listen to the songs and make predictions of which songs will move along in bracket play and which song will win it all! Students place votes until one song is declared the winner. More than 3,000 schools from around the world participated. Teachers collaborate to share lessons and activities that engage students and learn more about the songs. This is the fourth year French students at WBLAS have participated in the competition which was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here.

Vadnais Heights Elementary also set up a March Madness style competition for their students. Throughout March, students voted on their favorite books from a select list. Based on the scores from each classroom, the book with the highest votes moved on in the bracket until a winner was declared.

Some of our youngest bears are exploring and growing together during Normandy Park's Community Spring Baby Shower. This interactive event was perfect for families who are interested in learning more about the district’s Early Childhood programs for their young children. The event takes place approximately every six months in order to serve families who welcome new additions throughout the year. It was also highlighted in a recent video here

Creative Minds

Third through fifth graders from Birch Lake Elementary took the stage for their performance of 101 Dalmatians at Hanifl Performing Arts Center. Prior to their performance days, students worked hard to perfect their lines, songs, dances and tail wagging. During rehearsals, the students got into character with the help of a special guest, Fiona the Dalmatian puppy which was featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here. 

Sunrise Park Middle School automation and robotics students put their robot designs to the test during a series of races and clawbot challenges. The students coded and built their robots from scratch to create the ultimate machines. Their hard work was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here

While our middle school students were trying their hand at robotics, fifth graders at Otter Lake Elementary are also having fun with robots! They learned about coding and applied their knowledge to create their own machines. The students then went head-to-head in a robot battle and competed in other challenges.

two students with robot they built

High school art students at WBLAHS-North Campus are showing off their unique characteristics by painting and drawing self-portraits. During this lesson, students are also learning how to give helpful feedback to their classmates so they can all become better artists. Get a closer look at their masterpieces in a video here

Well-Deserved Recognitions

The district’s most recent 4-year graduation rate, released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), shows the district’s rate tops the state’s graduation rate by almost eight percentage points, with 91.3% of 2021 seniors earning their diploma at White Bear Lake Area Schools. WBLAHS - South Campus is in the top tier of high schools in the entire metro area with the graduation rate rising to 97.0%. This percentage does not include students from the district’s Area Learning Center (ALC) or Transition Education Center (TEC) programs. See the full press release and breakdowns here

Congratulations to five scouts from Troop 9-212 based out of Vadnais Heights Elementary School for earning their Eagle Scout honor. Three of these scouts did their eagle scout projects with a focus on giving back to Vadnais Heights Elementary. 

The WBLAHS archery team took home third place at the State Tournament in Duluth. They competed against more than 20 high school teams. WBLAS houses the top female and male archers in the state! Senior Paige Andrle was the State champion shooting a 291. Junior Tanner Carlson also secured a first place finish on the boys' team shooting a 294. 300 is considered a perfect score in archery. Along with the top spot Paige and Tanner each received a $5,000 scholarship, a brand new bow and a DNR Archery license for life. Several members of the team are now gearing up to compete at Nationals in May in Louisville, Kentucky. 

WBLAHS - South Campus art student Meg Petersen was given a solo art exhibit at the University of Minnesota. Her exhibit "Life is Peachy" opened at the Coffman Art Gallery March 26 and will be shown through May 8. 

The WBLAHS Track Team opened their indoor season by placing first among 25 teams in the Minnesota State University Varsity Showcase in Mankato. Their tremendous efforts were highlighted by the White Bear Press here. 

Sticking with sports related accomplishments, Willow Lane Elementary's 5th/6th grade basketball team, The Willow Bears wrapped up their season with a 9-9 record. The team consisted of nine fifth graders and one third grader. They took second place in their final Rec League tournament of the season. 

Three members of the WBLAHS Speech Team are heading to the State tournament following a terrific showing at the Section 4AA meet. Senior Cora Donoghue took third in Creative Expression, sophomore Mariam Elias-Danjuma took first in Prose and sophomore Sanyu Mwassa also placed first in Dramatic Interpretation. The top three in each category advance to State.

Several members of the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) went to Feed My Starving Children. Together they packed over 17,000 meals for people in need across the world. 

Student Interactions

Middle school and high school students gathered for the district’s second cross-campus workshop. Students in affinity groups have taken part in open conversations covering a variety of topics throughout the year. Their workshop was highlighted in a recent video here

Eighth graders at Central Middle School learned about different topics related to drug and alcohol abuse with Chemical Health Specialist Jenn Funk. They also interacted with a panel of students who attend the district's INSIGHT program while taking part in activities together.

Our incoming kindergarten students, class of 2035, have enjoyed receiving Welcome Packets, complete with notes from their new school and "I'm a Bear" t-shirts. Learn more about kindergarten enrollment here and check out this entertaining video from our District principals providing incoming kindergarten families with a glimpse of the awesome opportunities that await our newest White Bear Lake Area Schools students. Also, if your student loves showing off their school spirit, we want to see it! Email photos to us here and you may find your student featured in District publications! 

future kindergartner poses in her new t-shirt

Add To Your Calendar

Food Truck Friday's are returning to the Senior Center parking lot on April 29, May 20, June 24, July 22 and August 19. They'll take place from 4:30-7 p.m. with a dine-in or to-go option. 

 

Join the Indian Education Programs from WBLAS and Anoka-Hennepin for an engaging Pow Wow starting at 1 p.m. at Blaine High School Athletic Center on Saturday, April 16. The event is free and open to the public.  

 Activities Updates

The Archery Team took home third place at the State Tournament in Duluth. Senior Paige Andrle was the State champion shooting a 291. Junior Tanner Carlson also secured a first place finish on the boys' team shooting a 294. The Boys Track Team placed first in the Minnesota State University Varsity Showcase in Mankato. Read their highlights here. The Girls Track Team finished seventh out of fourteen teams in the Griak Invitational indoor track meet. Read their article here. Boys Basketball head coach Gregory Burke was named Coach of the Year by both the Suburban East Conference and Section 4AAAA. Several players also received top conference honors. Read their article here. Several members of the Girls Basketball Team were named to the all-conference and all-conference honorable mention lists. Read their article here. The Bears Wrestling Team saw three athletes named to the all-conference and all-conference honorable mention list. Read their article here. The Willow Bears 5th/6th grade basketball team from Willow Lane Elementary finished their season with a 9-9 record. The Ultimate Frisbee League club team is practicing and organizing for its spring season. Find more information about the team here. Three members of the WBLAHS Speech Team advanced to the State tournament. 

Along with season passes and punch cards, the WBLAHS Activities office is now offering digital ticketing to all regular season, home athletic events. Information is available 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 School Board 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

March 28 Work Session

March 14 Regular Meeting

February 28 Work Session

District News

General Information