Community e-Newsletter

Capital Projects Levy Renewal information

  • Thank you to those community members who attended one of the Community Meetings about important school district updates, including the capital projects levy renewal. For those who were unable to attend the sessions, here is a video highlighting what was covered during each presentation. 
Information about the levy renewal will continue to be shared on the district’s website at isd624.org/capitalprojectslevyrenewal.

In Photos: Bears Hard At Work

Student News

Important Lessons

In a Robotics class at Sunrise Park Middle School, students are building windmills. They learned about the bevel gear, gear train and chain drive. Students then designed a windmill putting together those three mechanisms which can be seen in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Students at Area Learning Center are working together in their science class. If a five gallon bucket represents all the water in the world, students are calculating how much fresh water there would be. They also learned how to use different measuring tools. This activity, which was featured in a recent video here, is a Project Lead The Way course on environmental sustainability. 

High School band, orchestra and choir students were treated to a special performance from professional choir group, Cantus which was highlighted in this video. Our Mariners Choir will be taking master classes from Cantus through a residency program and students will have an opportunity to sing with the group later in the school year. 

Creative Bears

Central Middle School students recognized National Chewing Gum day on September 30. After learning about the history of bubble gum and how it's made, students held a contest during Bear Time to see who could create the biggest bubble in their class! This fun activity lead to many laughs, memories and really large bubbles!

Last week at Lakeaires Elementary, students used their imaginations to create their own Extended Day world map. Students worked together to come up with different places to add to the map. They used different mixed medias such as stickers, paper, markers and glitter to design the map.

Art students at the Area Learning Center started working with a new medium last week. They're creating different shaped vases and plates by either rolling out the clay and cutting it or working it into the perfect shape on the wheel. Each technique challenges the students to think critically about their final project while adding their personality to their creation. 

District-Wide Excitement

Members of the Superintendent’s High School and Middle School Student Advisories met with Dr. K and other district leaders this week. Featured in this video, students saw the progress being made at the North Campus construction site, which is set to become a single, unified grades 9-12 high school for the 2024-25 school year.

District leaders recently took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at Oneka Elementary to celebrate classroom additions happening at the school.  The event was highlighted in a video here. The project is part of the district-wide comprehensive facilities plan that was made possible through the community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum. Community members can follow along in the district’s Building Our Future Facilities Process to see all the projects happening right now, what's been completed and the projects still to come. 

The district’s Nutrition Services Department celebrated our first “Minnesota Thursday!” last week. This fun, special way to increase our farm-to-school initiatives also supports the local food economy and offers students fresh, seasonal options and was featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". A grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture provided financial support that allowed us to collaborate with local farmers, ranchers and companies. Featured items included local all-beef hot dogs, apples, potatoes and carrots and ice cream.

Bears Giving Back

During Willow Lane Elementary's first Student Summit, staff and students were surprised with an announcement that their school was gifted a large donation that will fund $500 for each teacher to spend on supplies for the school year. Each classroom will also receive school supply kits containing pens, pencils, markers, earbuds and more. See the excitement from students, staff and Bear in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Last Week at Central Middle School, students celebrated Custodian Appreciation Day. During Bear Time, students decorated "Thank You" stars to show their gratitude. They also served their custodians breakfast and dinner. 

The Bear Care staff and St. Catherine University nursing students administered flu vaccines to WBLAHS - North Campus students. The Bear Care Clinic is open to children of all ages in the district for no-cost health services. Mental health counseling services are also available to White Bear students. Appointments can be made through the Bear Care website.

WBLAS staff members took part in the Bear Bike Ride event this month. The event had bikers riding 50 miles around downtown White Bear Lake. Over $4,000 was raised for scholarships that will support district youths' access to recreation sports and activities.

Students at Lakeaires Elementary recently took an anti bully pledge. Staff and students talked about what it means to be a friend and how to help each other spread positivity while making a difference at school and in the community!

In The Spotlight

Matoska International kindergarten teacher and 2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year finalist Kendall Gonzalez was highlighted in the Sept./Oct. issue of White Bear Lake Magazine. Read her featured article here. 

The White Bear Press recently highlighted members of the Boys' Cross Country Team for their fifth-place finish at Minnesota Gophers' Roy Griak Invitational. The Bears were led by junior Luke Williams who finished 12th of 488 runners in the Maroon race with a 5K time of 17:17.  

WBLAHS Boys' Hockey top scorer Nolan Roed recently committed to play for the Division 1 St. Cloud State men's hockey team. The Rink Live recently interviewed Roed on his decision and future plans. Read that article here. 

WBLAHS junior Lily Pederson, a 5 star recruit and 2022 USAG national champion, recently committed to the University of Oklahoma on a full athletic scholarship. In 2024, she will join their gymnastics team, which won the 2022 national championship. Read more about her commitment and goals for the future in this article. 

Mark Your Calendar

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, the American Indian Education Program will be hosting an event on Wednesday, October 12 at Willow Lane Elementary. There will be a Fall Feast and activities from 6-7:30 p.m. Find more information here.

 

Join staff from the Early Childhood Program on October 27 for the Truck or Treat event! Children under 5 and their siblings can visit decorated vehicle trunks and enjoy lots of games and prizes! The event runs rain or shine 4:30-6:45 p.m. at Normandy Park Education Center. Find more information here. 

 

 Activities Updates

The Boys Soccer Team took down Forest Lake 2-0. Read their article here.  The Girls Soccer Team finished second in the Suburban East Conference after a win over Forest Lake. Find details here as they prepare for Section 4AAA playoffs. The Girls Tennis Team topped Centennial 5-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Section 4AA playoffs. Find highlights here. Despite a loss to Forest Lake, the Girls Swim and Dive Team won three events. Find highlights here. The Girls Cross Country Team finished 35th at the Roy Griak Invitational. Read their article here. At the same meet, the Boys Cross Country Team finished 5th. Find highlights here. 

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 September 12 School Board regular meeting, School Board members recognized students for their state and national-level accomplishments in Skeet/Trap and Fishing. Watch the Student Recognition video here.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

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School Board Regular Meeting Subscribe to Alerts
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

Sept. 26 Work Session

Sept. 12 Regular Session

August 22 Work Session

View All News

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.

Calendars approved
Calendars approved

At the November 13, 2023 School Board Regular Meeting, the School Board approved the following calendars:

  • 2024-25 Academic Calendar
  • 2025-26 Academic Calendar
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.

Updated Strategic Plan Approved
Updated Strategic Plan Approved

At the August 8, 2022 School Board meeting, the Board heard an update of the District's Strategic Planning process and approved four updated strategies.

District News

General Information