Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Fall Adventures

Student News

Bears in Motion

The Boys' Cross Country team finished 2nd at the Section 4AAA meet recently, advancing the team to the State Tournament. Senior Ernie Mattson lead the pack, becoming the Section 4AAA Champion with teammate, Sophomore Luke Williams placing third. The White Bear Press highlighted the team's success in a recent article here. One the girls' side, four bears qualified for the State Cross Country Tournament individually, lead by senior Lily Schneider, who placed sixth. Read the White Bear Press' article featuring their success here. 

This preschooler was on the move down the halls of Hugo Elementary. He was working on his motor skills, learning how to pedal the tricycle. The district's preschool programs provide age-appropriate hands-on learning experiences in literacy and math, science and social studies, art and sensory, music and dramatic play. The White Bear Lake Area Schools Early Childhood Program serves our youngest learners, age birth through 5. Find information about the district's offerings in Early Childhood Screening (Screen by Three), Early Childhood Special Education, Preschool, Early Childhood Family Education, and Family Literacy here.

High school students are perfecting this year’s fall musical: Into The Woods. Tickets are now available for the production! Show dates and times are November 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at 7 p.m. and November 13 at 2 p.m. at WBLAHS - North Campus. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. Watch the student's progress come to life in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here.

The Peace Garden at WBLAHS - South Campus has several new sculptures. High School students created wooden sculptures as part of a class project. They hold signs showcasing different plants in the garden and the garden's history. Get a closer look at the student's work in a video here. 

Hundreds of families and community members gathered on October 30 at Otter Lake Elementary for the Bear Scare Fun Run, which was back after a year-long hiatis. Find the White Bear Press article highlighting this high energy event here. 

WBLAHS senior Charlie Larson is on the USA Men's gymnastics team and is headed to compete in the 2021 Trampoline and Tumbling World Championships, in Baku, Azerbaijan. He will be there from November 10-22, training the first week and competing Nov. 19 and 20. Charlie is one of three male athletes representing Team USA on tumbling. He has been in gymnastics since he was two years old and has been on the USA National Team for four years. He has competed in Russia, Tokyo, and Spain. In 2019, he won the World Cup in Spain. The arena he competed at in Tokyo was the same arena used for the 2020 Olympics. He currently trains at Twin City Twisters Gymnastics and plans to pursue men's artistic gymnastics in college.  

Fifth grade students at Lakeaires Elementary took part in Philosophical Chairs. The fun activity is similar to a debate. First, students read and wrote about a topic to form an opinion. Then, they practiced discussing and defending their opinions in a respectful way. The activity is part of the school's AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) learning strategy and was featured in a recent video here. 

Early Childhood students at Normandy Park took a field trip to Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, MN. Children and their families had fun playing in the corn pits and feeding all the different animals including sheep, goats, donkeys and cows! They even got to see an emu and peacocks! Families also took a ride on the trolly and were able to pick out their own pumpkin to bring home.

Unique Experiences

Sunrise Park Middle Schoolers turned Mrs. Roloff’s classroom into a pizzeria. They studied the history of pizza and put their knowledge to the test by making the popular dish the way they like it from thin crust to hand tossed or deep dish. Students read and interpreted a recipe, while putting their own spin on the delicious creations by adding different toppings. See these dishes come to life in a video here.

Students in Mrs. Johnson's class at WBLAHS - North Campus had two special visitors recently. Local author, Sandy Clark, stopped by and read her book, "Charlie, the Therapy Dog" to the class. The book describes the work therapy dogs do with children and adults.

Students at Tamarack Nature Preschool bundled up and ventured outside to meet a special bird, a Northern Saw Whet Owl. Students were able to ask the center’s naturalist questions about the owl. They learned what makes owls special and how they are nocturnal creatures. Watch the student's reaction to the special visitor in a video here. 

In collaboration with the Minnesota Trout Unlimited Education Program and Wild River Conservancy, Lincoln Elementary 5th graders went to Brown's Creek in Stillwater. Students played an interactive game to learn about invasive and native species and also explored the ecosystem in the area with a hands-on lesson. This field trip begins the adventure of raising trout in the classroom, which they hope to release in Brown's Creek in the spring.

There were plenty of laughs and smiles as students and the community enjoyed a "Trunk or Treat" event. It was hosted by the WBLAS Early Childhood Program's PTA. All who walked through enjoyed the carved pumpkins and decorated car trunks. There were also games and treats for everyone!

Kindergarten students at Lincoln Elementary recently completed STEM projects in the school’s newly-completed multi-purpose lab. The space is perfect for all students to be creative while learning something new together. The construction project was completed due to the 2019 bond referendum. 

BINGO! was the word of the night at Lakeaires Elementary School's Family Night. Students and their family members also enjoyed a pizza dinner while playing. This event was in conjunction with the nationwide "Lights On Afterschool" program, which aims to draw attention to the importance of afterschool programs for families and communities.

 

Community Interactions

The White Bear Lake Lion's Club has chosen the winners of their annual Peace Poster Contest. Congratulations to Central Middle School students Evelyn Foster (photo on the left) who was awarded first place, and Elijah Hinz (photo on the right) who was awarded second place. The theme of this year's contest was "We Are All Connected". 

Thanks to a kind donation from White Bear Lake United Methodist Church and Parkview Church, every student at Willow Lane Elementary was able to take home a new book from a recent book fair. Students are now taking this opportunity to learn more about acts of kindness. They are writing down different ways they can pay it forward on the “kindness boomerang” which will be displayed around the school. This lesson was highlighted in a recent video here. 

The White Bear Press recently published an update on the district's facilities projects, made possible by community support of the bond referendum in the fall of 2019. The piece highlights finished projects, current construction, and projects on the horizon. Read the article here. Follow along with the district-wide Building Our Future updates on the district's website here.

The district's new Transportation Facility and New Elementary School were highlighted in the City of Hugo annual tour that was recently covered by The Citizen. Read the full article here. Follow along with the district-wide Building Our Future updates on the district's website here.

 Activities Updates

Registration is open for the following MSHSL Winter Sports Teams: Adapted Floor Hockey, Alpine Ski, Boys and Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Boys Hockey, Nordic Ski, Boys Swim & Dive and Wrestling. Find more information here. The Boys Swim and Dive team is hosting an informational meeting about the season on Monday, November 22 in the WBLAHS - South Campus Cafeteria at 6 p.m. The Boys Cross Country team recently placed 2nd at the Section 4AAA meet, advancing the team to the State Tournament. Read their article here. The Girls Cross Country team is sending 4 athletes to the State Tournament after an impressive showing at their Sections meet. Read their article here. Tickets are now available for the WBLAHS Fall Musical: Into The Woods. Find ticket information here. The Cheerleading Team will host a kids clinic on December 3. This is open to all students in grades K-5. Please visit www.wblcheer.com and click on "Youth Clinics" for more information.

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

School Board Election Results

Find results of the November 2, 2021 School Board election on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website here.

Upcoming School Board 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

October 25 Work Session

October 11 Regular Meeting

District News

General Information