Community e-Newsletter

Strategic Emergence Action Teams

Families, staff and community members are invited to get involved in continuing to shape the future of White Bear Lake Area Schools by joining a Strategic Emergence Action Team. Action Teams will develop action plans for each of the district’s four new strategies: 
  • We will create and sustain a safe, equitable and nurturing environment. 
  • We will promote and encourage students' personal learning experiences and aspirations. 
  • We will ensure our organization continuously transforms to fulfill our mission. 
  • We will establish healthy and vital engagement with our entire community.  

Complete information about the process, along with a link to sign up to be involved on an Action Team, can be found at the Strategic Plan and Mission page of the district website.

In Photos: #BackToSchoolBears

Thank you to those who participated in our #BackToSchoolBears hashtag fun on Facebook for a chance to be highlighted in today's Community e-Newsletter! We hope that Early Childhood families will post #BackToSchoolBears photos in the coming days, as our littlest Bears begin their 2022-23 early learning experiences this week!

Student News

Kicking Off the New School Year!

District staff members came together to celebrate Opening Convocation, kicking off the school year and preparing to welcome students and families back for 2022-23. It was a great opportunity for staff members to reconnect, meet their new co-workers and get inspired! With the school year starting, we're excited to share "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" videos each Friday on Facebook. See last week's video here, and "like" the district on Facebook to see upcoming issues!

It’s been an exciting first week of school as students walk through their building doors ready to learn and grow with their new teachers. Bears of all ages are also reconnecting with friends and making new ones during their educational journey through White Bear Lake Area Schools.

Ninth and tenth graders at WBLAHS - North Campus wrapped up their first week of school with a fun game of bingo! The competition took place during Bear Time. Students raced down the halls to collect a sweet treat for every bingo they received. 

As school began, the district provided various updates to families and community members. Dr. Kazmierczak's Movers & Shakers article, "Renewals and results", was published in the White Bear Press last week and offered community members a glimpse at district priorities this year. The 2022-23 Activities Calendar was mailed to district families and is available to community members who would like one at District Center. The fall issue of Bear's Bulletin, the flip-book to the District's Community Services Catalog, also provided the community with an update of important information and activities that are to come in 2022-23.

In The Spotlight

Otter Lake Elementary first grader Karter Goodchild was recently highlighted in a KSTP story for a Race for Robot Legs fundraising run his family is organizing. Find more information about his family's fundraiser, how to get involved and how to take part in the event here

The White Bear Press and Star Tribune both recently highlighted alumnus Josh Cassada, who will be piloting a visit to the International Space Station in just a few weeks. Cassada shared about his White Bear experiences, including support he received from a middle school math teacher who has been invited to Kennedy Space Center to see the launch of her former student. In 2016, Cassada visited WBLAHS - South Campus to talk with students about his career, which can be see in this video

The WBLAHS football team won their first game at home against the Roseville Raiders. Scorebook Live highlighted senior running back Henry Wilcoxon, who returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The final score was 38-7. Watch highlights from the game here.

The WBLAHS boys soccer team battled to a 1-1 tie with defending state champion Mounds View in a recent game. Read their highlights here. The bears are now 3-1-1 after defeating St. Paul Harding and Eagan respectively in previous games. 

 Activities Updates

The Girls Soccer Team defeated Mahtomedi 1-0 in a recent game. Find highlights here. They also topped Eagan. Read their article here. The Boys Soccer Team took down St. Paul Harding 4-0. Read their article here. They also beat Eagan and tied Mounds View. The Girls Tennis Team beat Princeton 7-0 and Minnehaha Academy 5-2 but lost to Pine City 4-3 during a quadrangular match. Find highlights here. They are now 5-4 overall after defeating Woodbury. Find highlights here. The Girls Cross Country Team took seventh place out of 13 teams during a recent conference meet. Find highlights here. The Boys Cross Country Team took 12th out of 19 teams at the same meet. Read their article here. The Bears Volleyball Team recently beat Hutchinson in three sets. The Bears Football Team defeated Roseville during a home game. 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. 

School Board News

Upcoming School Board Meetings

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

August 22 Work Session

August 8 Regular Meeting

July 11 Regular Session

group photo with Jim Galvin

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

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

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

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

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