Community e-Newsletter

Boundaries Process Update, Survey link

The district is in the midst of an Attendance Boundaries Process, made necessary in part by the comprehensive facilities plan.

We received feedback at last week's attendance boundaries stakeholder committee meeting that some families hadn’t yet had a chance to look through the information and provide input via the survey, so we have extended the deadline until noon on Monday, Dec. 20 (tomorrow).

Background information: A steering committee made up of district staff has been meeting since May to develop a variety of attendance boundaries proposals to accommodate student enrollment and best utilize new/expanded facilities. This month, stakeholder committee members also analyzed boundaries for our elementary and middle schools.

Community stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft plans and provide feedback on strengths, considerations, and recommendations. Find complete information and a survey link at isd624.org/AttendanceBoundariesProcess. The direct link to the survey (which is open for input through an extended deadline of noon on Monday, Dec. 20) is here.

Thank you for taking the time to provide input!

In Photos: Exciting Things Happening!

Student News

Creative Minds

Fourth grade students at Willow Lane Elementary are participating in an empowering leadership project that teaches the value of service, teamwork and persuasive speaking. It's called the Minnow Tank and it's a spin off from the TV show "Shark Tank". Instead of promoting business ideas, students created presentations hoping to convince a panel of judges to give money donated by community members to the charity of their choice. Sophia (pictured on the left) was selected as the winner of the design contest for the project. Her drawing was printed on t-shirts for all participates. This exciting project was featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here. 

Hugo Elementary first graders in Ms. Ostman's class are learning about the power of germs. The students and their teacher created a video demonstrating an excellent example of student research, writing, and hypothesis/analysis via a 1st grade science experiment. 

Students in the Extended Day program at Vadnais Heights Elementary are having fun after school, learning how to play chess. This strategy based game is a great way to make friends and try something new. It was also highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here. 

Vadnais Heights Elementary's Grandmaster of Chess Activity

Sunrise Park Middle School hosted a guest from Hot Comics and Collectibles and graphic designer and comic artist, Dave Wheeler. He and the other artists shared their knowledge about comics and provided comic drawing demonstrations for students during lunch, advisory, and art classes.

Student Council members at WBLAHS - North Campus are working hard to turn their school into a winter wonderland. Students created unique snowflakes, wrote every student's name on winter themed paper and used other decorations to hang around the school for all students to enjoy before winter break. 

Sunrise Park Middle School students in Ms. Novotny’s art class are working hard on their 3D projects. The students are making mixed media sculptures. They are wire based and the students could use any art items like feathers, yarn or tissue paper. They also had to make something that represents themselves. Get a closer look at the student's creations in a video here. 

 

Bears Giving Back

The Senior Center recently played host to an event called "Give Meals on Wheels a Taste." Community members were invited in to sample Meals on Wheels entrees that are delivered to those who need them throughout the community. Several WBLAHS - South students also volunteered their time to check guests in, serve the meals and help clean up. Learn more about the Meals on Wheels program ,along with the other programs offered at the Senior Center, here. 

Thanks to a large donation from Northern Tools, WBLAHS students at both North and South Campuses have new tools and equipment to use in their shop and technology classes including rolling cabinets and a table saw. This generous act inspired students in the Career Pathways Program to pay it forward. They designed and created a sign for Bear Care located at WBLAHS - North Campus. See the student's hard work come to life in a video here. 

WBLAHS - South Students Create a Sign for Bear Care

Several staff members at Oneka Elementary were “pied” in the face by members of the fifth grade Bears Outstanding Service Superheroes Group (B.O.S.S.). The students held a food drive and challenged school staff to see who could bring in the most donations. The students won by a landslide, leading to this fun moment for students and staff which you can see in action through a video here. 

Oneka Elementary Students Win The Food Drive Challenge

Impressive Achievements

Congratulations to Lincoln Elementary first grade teacher Brooke Reeves, who received National Board Certification. This honor is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students and schools. 

2013 WBLAHS grad Austin Leucke was recently highlighted in The Citizen for his axe throwing accomplishments as he heads to his third world championships meet. Read the article featuring his achievements here. 

WBLAHS Grad Going to Nationals in Axe Throwing

WBLAHS senior and PSEO student Megan Van Ostrand was recently included in the White Bear Press "Spotted Around Time" page for her lead role of Sugar Plum Fairy for the 30th annual St. Croix Ballet's Stillwater Nutcracker.

WBLAHS senior Megan Van Ostrand was included in the White Bear Press "Spotted Around Time" page

WBLAHS grad Lleyton Roed was recently covered in an article that introduces those who will join the Bemidji State Men’s Hockey Team in time for the 2022-23 season. Read the article here. 

 

District Updates

Groundbreaking ceremonies took place to celebrate additions happening at Lakeaires and Birch Lake Elementary Schools. The projects, part of the district-wide comprehensive facilities plan, are made possible through the community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum. These events were highlighted in a recent video here. 

At the December 13, 2021 Regular Meeting, the White Bear Lake Area School Board approved the name North Star Elementary for the new elementary school in Hugo. The building, part of the district’s comprehensive facilities plan funded by the community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum, will open in Fall of 2022 and will serve students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade in the northern part of the district. Read more about the naming process and the new elementary school here. 

The White Bear Lake Area School District is pleased to announce that Brian Morris, who currently serves as the principal at Hugo Elementary, has been chosen to fill the role of principal at Lincoln Elementary. The transition will happen over the summer of 2022, when current Lincoln Principal Dan Schmidt moves into the principal role at the district’s new North Star Elementary currently being constructed in Hugo. Read the full story on this announcement here.

The WBLAS American Indian Education Program hosted a Drum & Dance event for students and the community at Willow Lane Elementary. There will be another event at Willow Lane on Thursday Jan. 13 from 6-7:30 p.m. Attendees can experience the drumming and teaching of Little Earth Singers and Jingle Dress.

Important Reminder

The Senior Program's December-February issue of "The Voice" is now available. The publication includes fun highlights and games, information about courses and learning opportunities, and a variety of resources. Find it here. 

 

 Activities Updates

The Boys Swim and Dive Team are starting their season off 1-0 after defeating Forest Lake at home in a recent meet. Read their article here. The Girls Gymnastics Team won their own Interstellar Invitational and beat Roseville in a recent dual meet. Read their article here. The Girls Basketball Team beat Forest Lake in a recent game. Read their article here. In a close matchup between the Boys Basketball Team and Centennial, the bears won 75-70. Read their article here. The Boys Wrestling Team went 3-0 in a recent quad meet defeating Elk River, Roseville and St. Paul Central. Read their article here. The White Bear Press online edition recently provided a video highlight of "Into the Woods, the WBLAHS Fall Musical. Watch it here. The Girls Volleyball Team has named assistant coach Mackenzie Leverty as the team's new head coach. 

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

December 13 Work Session

November 22 Work Session

November 8 Regular Meeting

District News

General Information