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In Photos: Exploring New Interests

Student News

Summer Activities

Sunrise Park Middle School hosted the annual White Bear Lake Summer Music Camp. Nearly 150 band and orchestra students in sixth-ninth grade participated. This was the first year the orchestra collaborated with the band for a fun experience! The camp's theme was "At the Movies", with students performing music from film and television. One of the highlights of camp was the leadership and enthusiasm provided by the high school helpers. 

The new Field House at White Bear Lake Area High School - North Campus has also been a popular hub for activities this summer. Recently, the multi-court facility was a packed house as it played host to a youth basketball camp. 

Students at Lakeaires Elementary are having a blast this summer with a field trip to the Children’s Museum and the Science Museum. They learned about emotions, jobs, birds, dinosaurs, prairie lands and so much more! Students also enjoyed an evening of Bingo with their families which included fun prizes donated by local businesses. 

Birch Lake Elementary students were treated to a generous and sweet dessert from a local business! Cup and Cone donated ice cream to celebrate the last day of the Extended Day school year. Students had five tasty options to choose from and could garnish their ice cream with sprinkles, chocolate chips and whipped cream!

Special Education staff from WBLAHS - North Campus and South Campus participated in a summer workshop and team building activity at Boatworks last month. Some of their activities involved creating a plan to engage staff voices in preparation for the transition to a unified high school.

Getting Outdoors

The WBLAS Community Services and Recreation program held their annual Community Bridge Softball Tournament last month. Teams had great weather to play in, awesome hits, and lots of smiles from the players, coaches, fans, families and organizers!

We have enjoyed seeing students, families and community members who have stopped by the White Bear Lake Area Schools Marketfest booth (on 3rd street) during the Thursday evening event. July 27 is the last day of the summertime event in downtown White Bear Lake. Stop by our orange tent for temporary tattoos, pencils and conversation! You can also check out this video for fun highlights from this year's Marketfest event. 

The district is proud to be supported by programs and organizations from our community including the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation who hosted their 23nd annual golf tournament in June. The fundraiser supports the WBLAEF's mission to enhance the White Bear Lake Area School District's ability to provide excellence in education for all students.

Several community members enjoyed some fresh air and hot dogs during the Senior Center's field trip to CHS Field to watch the Saint Paul Saints baseball team. The June outing ended on an exciting note, as the Saints won in the bottom of the ninth inning on a grand slam!

Students taking part in the summer Youth Enrichment program are enjoying their time inside and outside! Some of the exciting activities students can choose from, include drones 101, many arts and crafts projects, programming robots, learning how to play golf, and so much more! Learn more about the district's Youth Enrichment program here.

In The Spotlight

The district's landscape continues to change and grow, as construction projects move forward during the summer months. Current WBLAHS - North Campus, the site of the unified 9-12 high school, is transforming inside and out as new classrooms and the media center begin forming and the theater walls go up. Meanwhile, Oneka Elementary's newest classroom addition is also taking shape ahead of the 2023-24 school year. These projects are 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 recently received the following awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA):

The White Bear Press recently recognized White Bear Lake Area High School's graduating class and the top academic achievers. Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2023!
As we continue to hire Bears for the 2023-24 school year, we need substitute teachers, bus drivers, paraeducators, Extended Day and Nutrition Services staff members, licensed school nurses, and more! We offer competitive wages, flexible work hours, and a chance to make a difference for kids in our community. Find the online application page here.
 

The White Bear Press recently highlighted local high school students who were recognized as National Merit Scholars based on their scores for the PSAT or NMSQT test. Class of 2023 grad Sophie Scroggins was recognized in the article as a finalist for this year. She was selected from a pool of 15,000 finalists to receive a $2,500 scholarship. 

Alumni Highlights

A chance meeting between a district grad and current principal hundreds of miles away from White Bear. Dave Seebart bumped into Lincoln Elementary Principal Brian Morris while he was visiting family in Washington Island, WI. Not only was Dave a district grad, he was also a Lincoln student, a bus driver for the district and formally worked for Community Services and Recreation!

A Mariner High School grad was highlighted by the White Bear Press for publishing a book inspired by 50 years of journal entries. Roberta Wirth-Feeney began journaling at the age of 10 and credits her favorite author, Jack London, for helping inspire her first book, “Looking for Martin Eden: The Diaries of Roberta Wirth-Feeney.”

WBLAHS grad Wyatt Newpower, who played for the Bears from 2012-16, was recently re-signed as a defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings. Read about his career highlights here.

White Bear Lake Area High School grads from '66-'68, who formed the band "The Grasshoppers", were rediscovered by a Nashville record company more than 50 years after their split. The company found some of The Grasshoppers’ old tapes and decided to put them on CDs and LPs and offer them for sale. Read more about the group and their new found fame here. 

WBLAHS grad Mitch Grittner was recently highlighted in the Lewiston Tribune for the ServiceMaster family business he owns with his wife Colleen. The duo answered questions for this article, after they assisted dozens of homes following a storm that brought heavy rain to their area.

Mark Your Calendar

Willow Lane Elementary is one of four locations hosting free produce markets throughout the summer. The next event happening at the school is being held from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on August 3.

The WBLAS Community Services & Recreation Department is hosting a community picnic from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Podvin Park in White Bear Lake. Bring your family and friends, and take in an evening of leisurely outdoor activities. Registration is appreciated, but not required and can be found here.

There are several upcoming opportunities for students to take part in Cheerleading camps and activities. The Youth Clinic is happening this September for students in Kindergarten through fifth grade with participants being invited to cheer with the high school team during a football game. Find more details here. Students ages 3-6 can sign up for the Cub Comp Cheer program also happening this fall. More information can be found here.

 

 Activities Updates

Registration for Falls Sports is open. Find additional details here. Members of the WBLAHS Drumline and Band preformed during Marketfest on June 15 and 29. The WBLAHS - North Campus Field House played host to a youth basketball camp. Several student-athletes received All-Conference and All-Conference Honorable Mention honors for their contributions to their spring sports teams. Find highlights here. The Bears Cheerleaders are hosting a Youth Clinic this fall. Learn more here. There is also an opportunity for students age 3-6 to participant in cheerleading. Additional details can be found here.  

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

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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

July 10 Regular Session

June 12 Regular Session

May 22 Work Session

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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