Community e-Newsletter

Capital Projects Levy Renewal information

  • A “10 Facts Mailer” was recently mailed to all district residents. The piece covers important information about the district’s Capital Projects Levy Renewal question.
  • Community members will have a chance to learn about the renewal at upcoming informational community meetings:
    • 7 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 27 at District Center (4855 Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake)
    • 7 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 5 at Oneka Elementary (4888 Heritage Pkwy North, Hugo)
Information about the levy renewal will continue to be shared on the district’s website at isd624.org/capitalprojectslevyrenewal.

In Photos: Go Bears!

Student News

Homecoming 2022

Last week was Homecoming for White Bear Lake Area Schools! Spirit activities and theme days took place at schools throughout the district. High school students also got into the Bear spirit with a pep fest at both campuses, cheering along with the cheerleaders, dance team and drum line. Catch a glimpse of all the homecoming fun in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Several student-based clubs and activities decorated floats for this year's Homecoming parade. The route was lined with excited students, families and community members as the floats drove through parts of Downtown White Bear Lake handing out candy, t-shirts and WBL ponchos to the crowd. The WBLAHS Band also performed along with the Middle School Orchestra. Following the parade, Bears of all ages gathered at the South-Campus stadium to cheer on the football team, defeated Eastview 34-7. 

Several of our high school sports teams took part in competitions during homecoming week including football, girls tennis, boys and girls soccer, girls swim and dive, and adaptive soccer.  The boys and girls soccer teams also held a staff appreciation night during their games. Find all WBLAS activities schedules here. 

In The Classroom

Our youngest bears, from birth through preschool, started their educational journeys through White Bear last week. Students in the early Childhood Program, with locations throughout the district, are exploring their classrooms, enjoying hands-on activities and making new friends. Their first day of school was featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Students in the Lakeaires Elementary Extended Day program made bird feeders this week. With winter coming, the students talked about how birds are currently forging for food in preparation and then decided to help the feathered friends out a bit. Students used pine cones, sun butter, and bird seed for their project.

Central Middle School students worked on their math skills with a fun activity. As a team, students solved problems and puzzles to try and open their locked boxes. Every correct answer gave them a combination to one of the five locks on the box. Get a closer look at this math challenge in this video. 

Students from the district's Transition Education Center, for students ages 18-21, start every school day in their advisory class. This allows them to prepare for the day, complete homework and seek out support from staff. Students also enjoy learning about historical events that correspond with the date and listening to a positive song which they call their "joy juice". This class was featured in a recent video here.

Fun Activities

Students at Lakeaires Elementary are soaking up the beautiful fall weather. They have been enjoying all their time outdoors by running around and playing on the playground, playing catch and taking time to eat a snack with friends!

WBLAHS South-Campus students in Ceramics 1 are working on creating pinch pots. Their goal for this project is to put their personality into their creation through colors, form and patterns. This fun lessons was featured in a recent video here. 

Fifth graders at Vadnais Heights Elementary school are learning how to play different instruments in their music class. Students are practicing the xylophone and boom whackers to listen for different notes and tones while also learning how to stay in rhythm together. This fun classroom lesson was featured in this video. 

Community Involvement

District leaders hosted the first of three informational community meetings about the Capital Projects Levy Renewal which was highlighted in this video. Community members who weren’t able to join us at the Senior Center can find us at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27 at District Center or at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5 at Oneka Elementary. Complete information about the Capital Projects Levy Renewal can be found here.

Members of the Strategic Plan Action Teams, who will develop action plans for each of the district’s updated Strategies, gathered for their first meeting last week. The first meeting was featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". The groups will continue to meet through September and October. The original 30-member planning team will reconvene and provide an update to the School Board later this fall.

District Kudos

Bus drivers who bring students to Central Middle School were surprised with a sweet treat last week during their morning route. Central staff gave them bags with a donut inside! This "Donuts for Drivers" initiative began last year on National Donut Day, as a way to let bus drivers know they are appreciated. 

The WBLAHS girls tennis team is 10-5 after topping Irondale 7-0 respectively to gain their fifth consecutive win. The White Bear Press wrote highlights of the game here. The Bears also defeated Centennial in a recent match. Find highlights from that game here.

White Bear Lake Area High School biology teacher Chad O'Leary was interviewed by MPR for his 2nd place State Fair baking competition win. He even worked in a mention of a baking activity he facilitated with WBLAHS students during his interview with MPR News. 

White Bear grad Paul Chapin '71 competed in the 2022 International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) world championships in France earlier this month. The White Bear Press highlighted his impressive career on skis in this article. 

 Activities Updates

The Girls Swim/Dive Team finished eighth out of 12 teams at the Tartan Invitational meet. Sophomore Lily Jenkins won the 50 freestyle and junior Lucy Borofka won the 100 freestyle. Despite a loss to Roseville in a recent meet, the Bears won 4 events. Find highlights here. The Boys Soccer Team edged Park 1-0 in a recent game. Find highlights here. The Girls Soccer Team also took down Park 3-0. Read their article here. The Girls Tennis Team is 10-5 after defeating Irondale and Centennial. The Bears Volleyball Team are 6-6 after a busy week on the court. 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

Student Liaisons

During the September 12 School Board Regular meeting, school board members and district leaders welcomed and recognized the 2022-23 student representatives. Lauren Collier, a 12th grade student, will serve as the student representative while Arianna Vann-Cook, an 11th grade student, will serve at the alternate student representative. 

Upcoming School Board Meetings

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Community Room 112, District Center
School Board Regular Meeting Subscribe to Alerts
Community Room 112, District Center

Past Meeting Highlights

Sept. 12 Regular Session

August 22 Work Session

August 8 Regular Session

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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.

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Resolution Supporting Commitment to Equity

At the March 28, 2022 School Board Work Session, the White Bear Lake Area School Board unanimously approved a Resolution Supporting Commitment to Equity and Inclusion.

District News

General Information