Community e-Newsletter
October 22, 2023
In Photos: Go Bears!
Student News
Excellent Accomplishments
Students and staff at Willow Lane Elementary celebrated a major accomplishment. For the first month of school, their building achieved an over 90% attendance rate! Carefully tracking attendance has been a major initiative for staff. They invited special guest Bear to come reward the students by announcing that they will receive 20 extra minutes of recess for their achievement!
Speaking of celebrations, an important way for Bears of all ages to celebrate is with a hardy "Go Bears" cheer! This exclamation is something everyone in our community should learn! You can practice at home with your pet or at school with your classmates! On the count of three, you try. One... Two... Three... Gooo Bears!!
In a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds", students were seen utilizing the newly-finished Price Field located at Central Middle School. The original grass was replaced with a turf field to allow for use by multiple activities and teams. Turning the field to run north-south created enough space to add an 8-lane running track - something that was not possible with the original field.
The White Bear Lake Area High School girls' soccer earned a trip to the State tournament after defeating Woodbury 3-0 during the Section 4AAA championship game. The Bears have not advanced to the State tournament since 2012. Find additional game details here.
Important Lessons
Extended Day students at Lakeaires Elementary used their engineering skills to map out what kind of tower they wanted to make, using spaghetti noodles and marshmallows as building materials. This STEAM related activity also allowed students to figure out, through trial and error. how to make their structures stand and what shape would be the strongest to make.
Students throughout the district participated in special hands-on lessons, created by our district's Indian Education Program coordinator, in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day on October 9. The lessons, which were captured in this video, were similar in nature, but tailored to fit the needs of students at different educational levels.
The WBLAHS Danceline visited kindergartener through second graders at Willow Lane Elementary last week. The older students spoke to the younger bears about areas of elementary school that were hard for them, how they worked through the obstacles and eventually figured it out. This conversation fit in with Willow Lane's Growth Mindset theme.
Working Together
Students involved with Project SEARCH are hard at work learning valuable skills alongside staff at Gillette Children’s Hospital. Each student completes three rotations working in different departments with varying tasks. Project SEARCH program is an evidence-based one-year internship which provides students the opportunity to practice employment skills in a professional environment and learn what it means to be a valued member of the workforce.
Central Beans is up and running for the school year. Students involved with the business make and deliver fresh coffee and other drinks to District Center and Central Middle School staff members who have ordered a delicious beverage. While tracking budgets, inventory and ordering supplies, the students learn valuable social and work skills. Get a closer look at the program in this video.
Tickets are now available for WBLAHS Fall Musical "Little Shop of Horrors". The musical-comedy follows Seymour, a down-on-his-luck florist and his co-worker Audrey. When he discovers a mysterious – and voracious – plant, suddenly Seymour and Audrey are thrust into an epic battle that will determine the fate of the entire human race! Show dates for "Little Shop of Horrors" are Nov. 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 7:00pm and Nov. 11 at 2:00 pm. at the WBLAS Community Auditorium. Find ticket information here.
Activities Updates
Registration is now open for Winter sports. Find more information here. The Girls Soccer Team is heading to the State tournament after defeating Woodbury 3-0. Find additional details here. The Girls Cross Country Team finished fourth out of nine teams in the SEC. Read their article here. The Boys Cross Country Team finished third in the Suburban East Conference. Learn more here. The Bears Football Team ended out Roseville 10-7 during a recent game. Registrations are now being taken for the Nov. 29 & 30 WBL Cheer Basketball Season Youth Clinic. Find information 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.
The Week in 62.4 Seconds
Enjoy The Week in 62.4 Seconds videos highlighting weekly district activities throughout the school year.
School Board News
School Board Student Recognition
During the October 9 School Board regular meeting, School Board members honored students and members of the Class of ‘23 who represented the district as AP Scholars, National Merit Semi-Finalists and National College Board honorees. Watch the Student Recognition video here.
Upcoming School Board Meetings
Past Meeting Highlights
Oct. 9 Regular Session
Sept. 25 Work Session
Sept. 11 Regular Session
School Board News Posts
At the January 13, 2025 Regular Meeting of the School Board, the Oath of Office was administered by Superintendent Kazmierczak to newly elected School Board members Angela Thompson, Scott Arcand, and Dan Skaar.
At the December 9, 2024 School Board Regular Meeting, the School Board approved the following calendars:
- 2025-26 Academic Calendar
- 2026-27 Academic Calendar
The White Bear Lake Area School Board recently approved an Elementary Spanish Dual Immersion program, set to launch in Fall 2025. The enrollment window for the 2025-26 school year will open on December 16, 2024.
At the September School Board Regular Meeting, senior Lydia Kleinhans was welcomed as the student representative for the 2024-25 school year.
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.”
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.
District News
General Information
District-wide News Posts
The February 9 issue of the Community e-Newsletter is now available! The publication covers student and staff successes, School Board news, and school and Community Education offerings.
District Center offices, including the Centralized Enrollment Center, have moved to the Sunrise Park District Service Center located at 2399 Cedar Avenue in White Bear Lake.
The WBLAE Teacher of the Year program is now accepting nominations from community members, parents, students and colleagues. Please take the time to nominate an exceptional teacher who goes above and beyond and who makes White Bear Lake Area Schools a great place to send our students every day. Nominations are open until 4 p.m. on Feb. 18.
Community members are invited to stop by throughout the academic year for an informal chat with Superintendent Kazmierczak over a cup of coffee at the Downtown White Bear Lake Caribou Coffee for the upcoming Coffee with Dr. K events:
- Feb. 27 from 12-1 p.m.
- May 6 from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
At the January 13, 2025 Regular Meeting of the School Board, the Oath of Office was administered by Superintendent Kazmierczak to newly elected School Board members Angela Thompson, Scott Arcand, and Dan Skaar.
If winter weather is so severe that schools need to close, families will be alerted via phone, email and text to those with texting capabilities. The message will be posted on the district's website and social media accounts, and the information will also be available on local media outlets.