Community e-Newsletter
December 4, 2022
In Photos: Embracing New Opportunities
Student News
Creative Lessons
First and fourth graders at Vadnais Heights Elementary are getting individual learning time through a partnership with aspiring teachers from the University of Minnesota. Our students are gaining new reading skills as they work one-on-one with the college students. This lesson was also featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".
At WBLAHS - South Campus, students are mixing traditional and modern woodworking techniques to create a hot plate for pots and pans in their shop class. This fun lesson was featured in this video. One part of the project is learning to program the Computer Numerical Controlled machine which cuts the pieces of wood based on the values and operations entered.
In the first and second grade pod at North Star Elementary, students made their own glue! They observed different dry ingredients and mixtures before creating their own recipes. Students then put their glue to the test by seeing if the mixture was sticky enough to glue beans to a piece of paper. The fun lesson was also featured in this video.
Students at both WBLAHS - North and South Campuses coordinated a Women's Empowerment Seminar during Bear Time. The theme of the event was "joy". Students shared their artwork, poetry and personal stories with their classmates.
Making Waves
Four-Star General Paul Nakasone, a White Bear grad, was involved in sounding the Gjallarhorn at the Nov. 13 Vikings game. The team hosted several Salute to Veterans events throughout the game. The White Bear Press also highlighted another White Bear grad who was honored by the Minnesota Vikings. 1984 Mariners High School graduate Trish Thacker received the Hometown Hero Award during a recent game for her work with the Salvation Army.
WBLAHS - South Campus senior, Celia Fuhrman, was named the winner of the Walter Nathan Award as part of a high school poetry contest held by the University of Minnesota. She was invited to a poetry reading last month with the second and third place winners and two poets, Tracy K Smith (pictured left with Celia) and Eloisa Amezcua, who read from their own collections. CIS Intro to Literature teacher, Josh Lane (pictured right) also took his class to meet with Tracy K Smith and discuss her book which they had read in class.
While competing at the East Ridge Extreme Cheer Challenge last month, the Bears Varsity Cheerleading team placed first in both their divisions while the middle school team earned third place. Over 50 teams took part in the competition.
District locations including Price Field, Hippodrome and Central Middle School made it into a recent WBL Area Historical Society "What's in a Name" program. Read the full White Bear Press article here.
The Spirit of Serving
Student Ambassadors at Otter Lake Elementary are giving back to their community. Fourth and fifth graders in the group created tie blankets for their toy drive. Students cut and assembled the blankets themselves.
Willow Lane Elementary fourth graders are also giving back to the community. Students earned $1500 for charities through the second annual Minnow Tank project, a partnership between Willow and the White Bear Lake Rotary Club. The White Bear Press highlighted their efforts. The winning group will be donating their money to White Bear Lake-based nonprofit H20 for Life, which connects youth with service-learning opportunities to alleviate water crises around the world.
Last weekend's White Bear Lake Area High School Alumni Wrestling event was recently highlighted in the White Bear Press. Over 250 people attended. The event was also a fundraiser.
At a recent School Board meeting, our Community Services & Recreation team was recognized with a Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) Annual Project Award for the district's TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Food) project. The project supported local restaurants while providing a quality, low cost meal to community members.
Mark Your Calendar
The Community Services and Recreation Winter Catalog, with multiple opportunities for community members of all ages, will be arriving in residents' mailboxes soon. Winter and Spring Community Education classes open for online registration December 15.
North Campus students are preparing to transition into the newly-built three-story addition at the semester break so that renovations can begin on the existing building. During their lunch hour last week, students were given the opportunity to learn about the new space and ask questions about the project which was highlighted in this video. Families attended an information night to get updates as well. Before the extensive work in the original portion of the building begins, we invite students, families, grads and community members to “walk the circles” of North Campus one last time during a community-wide event the evening of January 18. More information will be available soon.
Activities Updates
The Girls Hockey Team defeated Hibbing/Chisholm 4-1. Find highlights here. The Boys Hockey Team won their season opener against Duluth East. Read their article here. They also defeated Hibbing/Chisholm. Find highlights here. The Girls Basketball Team is 3-0 after defeating Eagan. Read their article here. The Bears Varsity Cheerleaders placed first at the East Ridge Extreme Cheer Challenge. The Middle School Cheer Team placed third.
This year White Bear Lake Area High School, along with every school in the Suburban East Conference (SEC) is going to online-only ticket sales for all varsity sporting events. All conference schools have partnered with Hometown Ticketing to make it easier for spectators. The easiest way to access our online tickets is by downloading the Hometown Ticketing App or you can access and purchase tickets to our home events by clicking here. An alternate way to view home games is by purchasing adult and/or student pass(es).
Senior community members (age 65+) who live in the District are invited to participate in the Senior Activities Pass program and enjoy complimentary admission to most school activities. Find out how to receive your free pass here.
Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7695) to submit Student News for inclusion in future publications.
The Week in 62.4 Seconds
School Board News
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Past Meeting Highlights
Nov. 28 Work Session
Nov. 14 Regular Session
Oct. 24 Work Session
At the January 13, 2025 Regular Meeting of the School Board, the Oath of Office was administered by Superintendent Kazmierczak to newly elected School Board members Angela Thompson, Scott Arcand, and Dan Skaar.
At the December 9, 2024 School Board Regular Meeting, the School Board approved the following calendars:
- 2025-26 Academic Calendar
- 2026-27 Academic Calendar
The White Bear Lake Area School Board recently approved an Elementary Spanish Dual Immersion program, set to launch in Fall 2025. The enrollment window for the 2025-26 school year will open on December 16, 2024.
At the September School Board Regular Meeting, senior Lydia Kleinhans was welcomed as the student representative for the 2024-25 school year.
Jim Galvin, long-time coach, teacher, and community member, has been honored by White Bear Lake Area Schools for his decades of service to the school community. The White Bear Lake Area School Board voted at its March 4, 2024 meeting to name the fully renovated White Bear Lake Area High School gymnasium “Galvin Court.”
At December’s Regular School Board Meeting, representatives from the Be SMART awareness campaign and local law enforcement leaders presented information about a program developed to bring together parents and all adults concerned about kids, guns, and safety. The White Bear Lake Police Department, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and White Bear Lake Area Schools are teaming up to share an important message about proper gun storage and safety.