Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Bear Spirit

Student News

Learning Something New

In honor of tomorrow's Indigenous Peoples Day holiday, the WBLAS American Indian Education Program will play host to a Drum & Dance event from 6-8 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 14. The event will take place in the back of the building at Otter Lake Elementary. All are welcome to join and experience the drumming and teaching of Little Earth Singers and Jingle Dress. Find a flyer for the event here.

screenshot of Drum & Dance event flyer

Third grade students at Birch Lake Elementary recently spent time outside taking part in a fun activity - they made paper! Students learned about how paper comes from trees and what goes into the process of making it. They even got to make our own pieces of paper to use in class. This exciting lesson was featured in a recent video here. 

Birch Lake Elementary 3rd Graders Learn to Make Paper

In Senora Callan’s class, Sunrise Park Middle School students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 - October 15. The students' classroom learning was featured in a recent issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here. They learned how to dance the salsa, created papel picado and learned about different cultural figures from around the world. This helped the students gain an appreciation for an hispanic culture as they continue learning the language.

Ninth and tenth grade students at WBLAHS - North Campus are making the most of their Bear Time. While taking a break from classroom work, students choose how to spend their time, whether it’s learning something new, getting outdoors or staying on top of homework. Some students took part in spike ball, card games, or played different musical instruments. Check out all the fun students are having during Bear Time here. 

Students at Lincoln Elementary are enjoying their new space to move and run! Their new full-sized gymnasium was built as part of several projects happening throughout the district to improve facilities and student's education. This new area is perfect for learning to play new sports, encouraging teamwork and having fun. Lincoln's new gym was featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here. See full information about the district's Building Our Future facilities projects here.

Third graders at Vadnais Heights Elementary practiced reading outside the classroom. They spent a beautiful fall afternoon in Bear's Backyard. The students read new books while enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature. Their fun learning opportunity was featured in a video here. 

Students in the district's Distance Learning Academy got together in person recently for a fall celebration at Podvin Park. Students completed tie-dye projects, played games like checkers and Jenga, and had a fun afternoon spending time with one another.  The DLA was launched last year and remains an option for families who choose distance learning for their family. Find information about the DLA here. 

 

Homecoming Festivities

WBLAS students showed off their school spirit during Homecoming week. At Central Middle School, the Student Council organized several events like the bear hunt and spirit days. Students also wrote positive messages for their classmates to read. Homecoming events across the district were featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" here. 

High school students got into the Bear spirit by taking part in themed dress up days along with celebratory activities and competitions during Bear Time. Students also enjoyed the pep fest at the South Campus Stadium, cheering along with the cheerleaders, dance team and drum line.

Several student-based clubs and activities decorated floats for this year's Homecoming parade. The route was lined with excited students, families and community members as the floats drove through parts of Downtown White Bear Lake. The WBLAHS Band also performed along with the Middle School Orchestra. 

The winner of this year's Homecoming Medallion Hunt was 9th grader Noelle Wilding. With help from her younger siblings, Noelle followed the clues and located the medallion at Matoska Park. Noelle also got to ride in a special float during the Homecoming parade. 

Standout Bears

WBLAHS grad and standout hockey goalie Calla Frank, was highlighted in an article in The Rink Live. The veteran goalie is preparing for the upcoming season with the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks. Read the full article which features the junior as the "backbone of the team", here. 

WBLAHS alumna Elaine Franta is leaving it all on the court for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Women's Tennis Team. The Junior and her doubles partner took second place out of 51 doubles teams at the Division III Women's Midwest ITA Regional Championships in September. This earned them a spot at the ITA Nations in Rome, GA. Read the University's full article highlighting Elaine Franta's achievement here. 

Three of our district teachers were recognized by Press Publications as part of their "Best Of" contest. Central Middle School math teacher Pam Johnstone and Lakeaires Elementary first grade teacher Stephanie Peterson were nominated by White Bear Press readers. Vadnais Heights Elementary first grade teacher Mark Theissen was voted "Best Teacher" by Vadnais readers. Read the full Vadnais Heights Press article about Theissen here.  

WBLAS staff members took part in the Bear Bike Ride event last weekend.  The event had bikers riding 50 miles, with a route that started at District Center and ended in Downtown White Bear Lake. More than $3,500 was raised for scholarships that will support district youths' access to recreation sports and activities. 

Former All-State Cross Country Runner and WBLAHS graduate Joel Riechow placed sixth, out of more than 3,000 participants, in the recent Twin Cities Marathon. Riechow finished with a time of 2:28:07. Read the full White Bear Press article highlighting his achievement here. 

 

Activities Updates

The Girls Swim & Dive Team placed 4th out of 11 teams at the Tartan Invite on September 25. At the meet, senior Gianna McLeod broke the school record for 11 dives with a score of 373.15. At a recent dual meet against Irondale, Mcleod also broke her own school record for 6 dives with a score of 228.55. The Girls Soccer Team had a good showing against Cretin-Derham Hall winning 3-1. Read their article here. The Girls Tennis Team is heading into section play with an 8-6 record coming off a loss to Mounds View and a win over Woodbury. Read their article here. The bears Football Team recently defeated Eastview 26-14. Read their article 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.

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Community Room 112, District Center
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Community Room 112, District Center
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Community Room 112, District Center

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September 27 Work Session

September 13 Regular Meeting

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