Community e-Newsletter

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• 2023 Free School Breakfast & Lunch - On Friday, March 17, 2023 Governor Walz signed a bill into law providing free school breakfast and lunch for Minnesota students beginning next school year. Specific details on the implementation of this new law are not yet available. The District will communicate the details to our families once we have clear direction from the State of Minnesota. Find additional information here.
• WBLAHS Principal Update - The White Bear Lake Area School District is pleased to announce that Russell Reetz has been chosen to lead in the role of principal for the unified White Bear Lake Area High School. Reetz comes to the district from Eden Prairie High School, where he currently serves as an associate principal. Throughout his career, he has also served in director of activities roles. He began his career teaching physical education, health and DAPE, and he spent 12 years coaching football and track and field. See the full press release here.
• Cheerleading Tryouts - Tryouts for the 2023-2024 Cheerleading Program will take place on April 17, 18 and 20. Teams are available for students currently in grades 5-11. Find more information here, or e-mail andria.mattlin@isd624.org.
• Marketfest Poster Contest - The Marketfest Committee is seeking entries for original art to use for its promotional poster and t-shirts for the 2023 Marketfest season. Submissions are due Friday, April 14. The winner will receive $100, a copy of poster and a t-shirt! Find more information here. 
• Community Services & Recreation Summer Catalog - You can start making summer plans for you and your student(s). Registration is open for a variety of different summer activities and programs through White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Services & Recreation. Find more details here. 
• Asynchronous E-Learning - Find information about the Communication and Student Responsibilities that would take place in the situation that an Asynchronous E-Learning day must happen at the bottom of the Emergency School Closings page of the district website.
• Mariner Middle School - At the February 13, 2023 School Board Regular Meeting, the White Bear Lake Area School Board approved a committee’s recommendation to change the name of Sunrise Park Middle School when it moves from the Sunrise Park neighborhood to the current White Bear Lake Area High School - South Campus building in the fall of 2024. The new name, Mariner Middle School, is a nod to the District’s past. See the full press release here.
• May 17 to Follow Regular Schedule - An upcoming Two Hour Late Start that had been scheduled to take place for students in grades 6-12+ on May 17 have been changed to a regular school day. Bus routes will run on their regular school day schedules as well. See complete information here.
• Meal payment system change complete - Our switch from the SmartSchoolK12 system to SchoolCafé for meal payments has been made, so SmartSchoolK12 meal account balances have been transferred directly to SchoolCafé. Students will continue to use their current pin numbers for a seamless experience. Find information sent to families re:  here.
• 2022 Annual Update - The district’s 2022 Annual Update is currently available in print at district buildings. See the publication here.
• 2023-24 Kindergarten Enrollment - Kindergarten enrollment for the 2023-24 school year is now open. Find more information on the district's website. You can also check out this video from our elementary principals, who have a message for our incoming kindergarten students and their families!
• Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan - The health and safety of our school community is a top priority. White Bear Lake Area Schools will continue to partner with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for guidance and planning regarding COVID-19. To maintain a healthy and safe environment for all, the following protocols will be implemented for the 22/23 school year: The details of our plan can be found at isd624.org/programs/health-services. As required by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, school districts who received funds as part of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds must maintain a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services plan through the 2023-24 school year. Every six months, the district must review and revise as necessary. If you have any questions or comments that you’d like to share, please do so through this form.
• Application for Educational Benefits - White Bear Lake Area Schools provides healthy meals for students each day. But meals will not be free for all students in the 2022-23 school year. WBLAS families can apply for educational benefits at anytime to qualify for free or reduced-price meals and additional benefits. Find additional information in this flyer (Español), and find the direct link to apply here.
• WBLAS After-School Enrichment Programs - We have changed how enrichment programs are run across the district. Instead of having the majority of enrichment classes run by Extended Day staff members, we are now exclusively working with vendors to provide high quality programming and more programming to offer. Find Youth Enrichment details, including offering categories and financial assistance info in this flyer.
• Update for High School Sports Spectators - 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). 
• Bear Care Clinic - The Bear Care Clinic offers no-cost health services to all children in the district. Find additional information about the clinic here. Call, email, or make an appointment online!
• School Linked Mental Health Services - Find information about School Linked Mental Health Services available to our families here.
• Support Hub - The District's Support Hub provides families with resources to address barriers & enhance well-being. This comprehensive resource gives families and community members access to information for essential services including crisis response, basic needs, mental health and wellbeing, physical health, social emotional learning and more.
• Receiving district messages - District-level emails are being sent from the communications@isd624.org email address. If you are not receiving emails from this account, it is possible that the email address is currently blocked in your email account. Find instructions to unblock the communications@isd624.org email address in different email platforms here.
• Requesting an interpreter - Find more information about requesting a call with an interpreter in the language your family speaks.
• We Are Hiring! - White Bear Lake Area Schools is hiring for a variety of positions, offering both school-day and out-of-school-time hours. Full- and part-time options are available, and many positions offer flexible hours if needed to accommodate family schedules. The district is seeking paraprofessionals, community services and recreation staff and coaches, and more. Find the online application page here.
• Stay connected! - Join White Bear Lake Area Schools' social media circles - Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
• Calling all baby models - We're looking for "Born to be a Bear" photos! Email photos to us here and you may find your little one featured in District publications!
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• Recognitions - The following celebrations and holidays will take place in April:  
  • April - National Poetry Month, Math and Statistics Awareness Month
  • April 1 - April's Fools' Day
  • April 3-7 - Assistant Principals Week
  • April 5 - Passover Begins, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
  • April 7 - Good Friday
  • April 9 - Easter
  • April 22 - Earth Day
  • April 24-28 - National Library Week, Administrative Professionals Week
  • April 25 - National Library Workers' Day
  • April 26 - Administrative Professionals Day
  • April 28 - National Arbor Day

Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7578) to submit District News, General Information, Opportunities or Awards & Honors for inclusion in future publications.

• Seasonal Catalogs - Seasonal catalogs are available now! The Community Services Summer Catalog, with multiple opportunities for community members of all ages, can be found here.
• Digital Backpack - The Community Services Department distributes electronic flyers on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Flyers include announcements from the school district, as well as local organizations. Those who wish to request distribution of a flyer should email the files to Director Tim Maurer at tim.maurer@isd624.org.
• Upcoming Activities:
  • Pickleball Camps: Enjoy a friendly game of pickleball in the North Campus fieldhouse on Tuesdays in March, May, June, July and August. Find details and registration here. 
• Senior Program
  • Check out the latest edition of The Voice.
  • Stay informed about the latest community offerings for seniors in the community with these two guides (please note, changes will be made to the listed guides in 2023):
    • Senior Housing
    • Senior Services
• Community Bridge - Check out opportunities here. The Community Bridge Consortium is an adults with cognitive disabilities program supported by the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, South Washington County, Roseville, White Bear and Mahtomedi School Districts. 

• The Voice - Check out the latest edition of The Voice to learn about exciting upcoming opportunities.
• Upcoming Events:
  • TGI Foods: Thank Goodness It's Food returns to the Senior Center on Friday, April 28. Find menu options and registration information can be found here. 
  • March 29: 10-11:30 a.m. National Vietnam Veterans War Day. Find more information here.
  • April 22: Get helpful information during the Senior Housing Day happening from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Senior Center.  
• Resources Guides - Stay informed about the latest community offerings for seniors in the community with these two guides (please note, changes will be made to the listed guides in 2023):
  • Senior Housing
  • Senior Services
• FREE Activity Pass for Senior Community Members (age 65+) - White Bear Lake Area Schools offer a variety of activities - home athletic contests, concerts, and theater productions to name a few. Join us! Please fill out this application and you will be sent the pass in the US Mail. If you have questions, please contact Rachael Markuson at 651-407-7563 or rachael.markuson@isd624.org.
• Be a Bear! The district currently has many staff openings available! Find the online application page here.

• Update for High School Sports Spectators - 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). 
• The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) is an independent, non-profit corporation promoting excellence in education in White Bear Lake Area School District 624 schools.
  • Scholarship Opportunity - The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) is excited to announce that a new $1,000 Leadership in Social Justice Scholarship will be awarded in the Spring of 2023. It will be given out annually and comes from the generosity of a local White Bear Lake family. The purpose is to further the vision of making the world a better and more equitable place. It will be awarded to a WBALHS senior who demonstrates exemplary leadership and an outstanding commitment to social justice and equity in their community. This scholarship encourages awardees to continue to work towards social justice and equity in their community and/or post-secondary education. For a list of all scholarship funds the WBLAEF manages, www.wblaef.org/scholarshipsfunds.
• Be a Bear! - White Bear Lake Area Schools is hiring for a variety of positions, offering both school-day and out-of-school-time hours. Full- and part-time options are available, and many positions offer flexible hours if needed to accommodate family schedules. The district is seeking paraprofessionals, community services and recreation staff and coaches, and more. Find the online application page here.
• Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7578) to submit District News, General Information, Opportunities or Awards & Honors for inclusion in future publications.

• White Bear Center for the Arts:
  • Imagine Art Youth Summer Camp Open for Registration - Students in grades 2-8 can take week-long camps, offered as either full or half days Monday through Thursday, and explore painting, sculpture, writing, the outdoors, and so much more. Brand new Intergenerational Fridays finish off every Imagine Art camp week, with hands-on projects, storytelling, movement, and art gallery-themed activities for kids and their families. For students in grades 9-12, WBCA is offering teen pottery classes throughout the summer. Learn more here. 
• The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) is an independent, non-profit corporation promoting excellence in education in White Bear Lake Area School District 624 schools.
  • The Closet:
    • The Closet is not able to take used clothing donations at this time; however, we are able to take NEW items if you have any to donate. Please call 651-407-7696 with any questions.
    • The Closet is open for appointments! When students in our school district present a need for clothing, they are able to shop for items needed, free of charge. Students and families are referred to The Closet by school administration staff and a personal appointment is scheduled for the family or student visit. For more information, visit the website by clicking HERE.
    • We are in need of volunteers to assist at The Closet. If you are a parent that has a flexible schedule and would like to help our district families in need, please contact info@wblaef.org. More information about The Closet can be found HERE.
  • We are Hiring! - White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation is now hiring for a part time office administrator. Learn  more: https://www.wblaef.org/career.
  • Glasrud Family Fellowships Recipients - The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) awarded six Glasrud Family Fellowships to teachers in the White Bear Lake Area School District. Read more about the recipients here. Fellowships are awarded to teachers for personal professional growth with the hope that these awards will allow teachers to pursue professional development which would otherwise not be possible.
  • Lynn Mielke Distinguished Educator Award deadline to nominate someone is April 3, 2023! Lynn Mielke was a speech clinician and Special Education Coordinator in the White Bear Lake Area School District. This award was established to recognize an individual who has exemplified Lynn’s dedication and care for the students and staff in our district. Educators are nominated by colleagues, supervisors, students, parents or community members. Find additional information and/or to submit a nomination form here.
  • Scholarship Opportunity - The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) is excited to announce that a new $1,000 Leadership in Social Justice Scholarship will be awarded in the Spring of 2023. It will be given out annually and comes from the generosity of a local White Bear Lake family. The purpose is to further the vision of making the world a better and more equitable place. It will be awarded to a WBALHS senior who demonstrates exemplary leadership and an outstanding commitment to social justice and equity in their community. This scholarship encourages awardees to continue to work towards social justice and equity in their community and/or post-secondary education. For a list of all scholarship funds the WBLAEF manages, www.wblaef.org/scholarshipsfunds.