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In Photos: Bears Moving and Grooving

Student News

Paying it Forward

Students at Vadnais Heights Elementary recently collected 394 boxes of cereal to donate to the Vadnais Heights Food Shelf. Before the boxes were donated, staff lined them up in the hallway and the whole school cheered and watched the cereal boxes fall like dominos. This exciting activity was captured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". 

High school band students wrapped up their community-wide Percussion Ensemble Tour last week. On top of visiting several schools, students also performed for a very enthusiastic crowd at Cerenity in White Bear Lake which was captured in this video.

High school students honored members of our military last week. The Adaptive Softball Team held a Military appreciation night during their final home game of the season. The team won the game against Mounds View in the final inning!  Meanwhile, WBLAHS - South Campus students and staff thanked members of the U.S. Army who visited their building this year by serving root beer floats during lunches. 

Central and Sunrise Park Middle School students welcomed fifth graders to their building’s, as the elementary students prepare to make the transition to middle school this fall. As seen in this video, students were taken on tours, met with teachers and asked current students questions about middle school.

Talented Bears

High school students in the Transportation Career Pathways Program showed off their automotive expertise during a showcase at South Campus. Students held demonstrations for staff and industry partners of the many lessons and skills they’ve learned including parallel circuits, basic engine diagnostic testing, lifting a vehicle and more. See the student's skills in action in this video. 

In other Career Pathway news, the NEM 916 Career & Tech Center honored Outstanding Students during their Awards Ceremony last week. Six White Bear Lake Area High School and Area Learning Center students were chosen by their instructors as the year's Outstanding Students for their particular class. The 916 Career & Tech Center is one of many ways WBLAS students can explore careers and participate within the Career Pathways Program offered by the district.

In preparation for their performances which happened on May 10 and 11, North Star Elementary students involved with the production of “101 Dalmatians” held a rehearsal in the learning commons in front of their classmates and school staff. Students practiced their lines and many songs from the musical.

Outstanding Honors

Junior Captains Sanyu Mwassa and Mariam Elias-Danjuma of the WBLAHS Speech Team competed in the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) in Chanhassen. Both competitors made it to the final rounds in Dramatic Interpretation. Out of 184 other competitors from 25 states, Sanyu placed 4th and Mariam was the Dramatic Interpretation Champion. The team also received the ACT 1 award for earning the most team points for a team their size.
 

The White Bear Press highlighted WBLAHS - North Campus teacher Mark Domschot, who was recently honored as the 2023 White Bear Lake Area Educators Teacher of the Year recipient. Read the full article here.

Eight Area Learning Center and Insight students were awarded with scholarship funds for college through the STRIVE Committee.  In order to be considered, each student submitted a portfolio and participated in an interview process. The following students were honored during a recent banquet: Luis Trejo, Olivia Kellogg, Anthony Sabatine, Chantelle Kimeu, Jenna Valleen, Nickel Tom Sybal Thao and Via Kampfer-Jones. 

WBLAHS senior Sophie Scroggins was among the 2,500 Merit Scholar recipients selected from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. The winners were chosen based on their combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. They were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools.

White Bear Lake Area High School’s Cecilia McCahon, who played Roxie Hart in the WBLAHS Fall Musical “Chicago,” is in the final top 24 Triple Threat Finalists in the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Spotlight Showcase process. In addition to performing at the State Theatre June 12-13 during the Spotlight Showcase 2023, Cecilia will join other young artists who will have the option to be considered for the Triple Threat New York Experience or become a Minnesota nominee for the The National High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Getting Outside

Lakeaires Elementary Extended Day students cheered on their fellow classmates who are apart of "Girls on the Run" group as they held a practice run. Students made posters and cheered them on at the finish line with the help of some noise makers. The official run is happening on June 2 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

The district was represented at White Bear Lake’s Touch-A-Truck event last week, with students and families having fun checking out the Nutrition Services truck and a yellow school bus. Our Early Childhood Program was also on-hand with activities for students to enjoy. See exciting moments from the event in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

The district’s teepee was set up at District Center this week in preparation for the Indian Education End of the Year Gathering, which consisted of food, cultural activities, and a presentation of feathers in honor of this year’s Indian Ed graduates. Which the process of building the teepee in this video.

Students in the grades 1-2 learning studio at North Star Elementary wrapped up their life cycle unit. Students monitored duck eggs as they hatched from an incubator. Over 27 days, they learned about the different phases and development of the eggs. Once the eggs hatched, students had fun watching the ducklings swim and grow in their pod. The lesson was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Bears Having Fun!

Lakeaires Elementary Extended Day students celebrated Derby Day in honor of the Kentucky Derby. Students made derby hats and learned all about the Kentucky Derby including interesting facts like where the tradition of wearing derby hats originated from.

White Bear Lake Area High School, Area Learning Center and Transition Education Center seniors celebrated Senior Day last week! Students enjoyed a breakfast together in the gym, before listening to a guest speaker then making their way over to Valley Fair for a day of fun with their classmates.

The White Bear Press recently shared information about a WBLAHS spirit store, which is to be run by students in business classes and organizations. The store will open when the high school is unified in the fall of 2024.

Mark Your Calendar

The White Bear Lake Area High School’s Spring production of Clue, based on the iconic 1985 movie that was inspired by the classic board game, will take place at 7 p.m. each night May 31 through June 3. A matinee performance will also take place at 2 p.m. on June 3. The show will be performed at the Century College West Campus Theater. Purchase tickets here.

 

The White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Services and Recreation team is sponsoring a fun outdoor event. There will be fishing lessons, kayaking, yard games, music, and so much more. Officials from the DNR, Ramsey County, Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization, WBL Police and Fire, and other organizations will also be on hand to provide outdoor and educational opportunities for all. The event is taking place at 5:30 p.m. on June 2 at Bald Eagle-Otter Lake Park.

 Activities Updates

The Boys' and Girls' Track Teams both placed 3rd at the Section 2AA true-team meet. See additional details here (boys) and here (girls).  The Girls' Golf Team also placed 3rd at their SEC Meet. Find highlights here. The Boy's Golf Team took 2nd at their SEC Meet and 3rd during a border battle tournament. See details here. The Bears Baseball Team defeated Forest Lake in a recent matchup. Find highlights here. The Bears Softball Team wrapped up conference play with a record of 14-4 and a win over Irondale. Read their article here. The team is also on an eleven game win streak. The Boys' Tennis Team topped CDH. See additional details here. The Boys' Lacrosse Team finished third in their conference after a win over East Ridge. Find additional details here. The Girls' Lacrosse Team is now 8-2. Bears Speech Team member Mariam Elias-Danjuma was the Dramatic Interpretation Champion and Sanyu Mwassa placed fourth at the NIETOC competition. The Adaptive Softball Team won their final home game of the season against Mounds View.

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

School Board Student Recognition

During the May 8 School Board regular meeting, School Board members recognized members of the Archery Team and middle school students who participated in History Day for their state and national-level accomplishments. Two members of the Boys' Basketball Team were also honored for their state-level achievements. Watch the Student Recognition video here.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

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Past Meeting Highlights

May 8 Regular Session

Apr. 24 Work Session

Apr. 10 Regular Session

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WBLAS Academic Calendars
2025-26 and 2026-27 calendars approved

At the December 9, 2024 School Board Regular Meeting, the School Board approved the following calendars:
- 2025-26 Academic Calendar
- 2026-27 Academic Calendar

group photo with Jim Galvin
Board approves naming of Galvin Court

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.”

White Bear Lake Area School District - ISD 624 Logo
District partners on important safety messaging

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.

Board approves “Mariner Middle School” beginning Fall 2024
Board approves “Mariner Middle School” beginning Fall 2024

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.

District News

General Information