Community e-Newsletter

September 10, 2023

In Photos: #BackToSchoolBears

Thank you to those who participated in our #BackToSchoolBears fun 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 2023-24 early learning experiences this week!

Student News

Welcome Back Bears!

District staff members came together to celebrate Opening Convocation, kicking off the school year and preparing to welcome students and families back-to-school. It was a great opportunity for staff members to reconnect, meet their new co-workers and get inspired with the theme of "Embracing Change!" See a video that debuted at the event, and was shared as last week's Community e-Newsletter Video edition, here. And with the 2023-24 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!

Sixth and Ninth graders headed back to school one day early to get acquainted with their new buildings, teachers and schedules. Students played transitional activities, toured their schools, made new friends and met with their teachers. Leading the pack were upperclass students who were chosen to serve in mentoring roles for this incoming group of middle school and high school students.

White Bear Lake Area Schools’ elementary, middle school and high school students began the 2023-24 academic year last week as well. This school year is on track to be filled with new opportunities for students and staff to succeed, excel and challenge themselves. Bears of all ages are already learning and growing with their teachers, reconnecting with friends and forging new relationships and skills during their educational journey through WBLAS.

Kathy Baker, who served as Sunrise Park Middle School's first principal from 1993-2007, visited with current Sunrise staff members while they were preparing to welcome students to Sunrise's "last first day" last week. In the Fall of 2024, the students/staff will move to Mariner Middle School, located at what is currently WBLAHS - South Campus. Sunrise will eventually house District Offices, Early Childhood, Transition Education Center and the Senior Center.

Lakeaires Elementary kindergarten students enjoyed a fun activity during their first week of school. They worked with the Extended Day program, making their own fishing lines and fishing using magnets. It was a great outlet for creative discovery while making new friends as they began 2023-24 and their elementary years.

Early Childhood Program staff members participated in a very fun "welcome back" activity when they came back together to begin the 2023-24 school year. As the summer began, team members took home a Bear of their very own, accompanied by an invitation to share pictorial evidence of time well spent. The photos were compiled into a presentation to be shared with colleagues in August. The collective Bear pics showcase a fun variety of landmarks and landforms from around the world!

District Kuddos

A variety of district students received ribbons of accolade at the State Fair this year. Three Sunrise Park Middle School students - Eva Segroves, Emma Nomura, and Carmen Sikich - received ribbons for their art projects. 2023 graduates Celia Furhman and Astrid Schroeder also received high honors.

The WBLAHS Girls' Swim & Dive team won their dual meet opener against Park High School last month. It was also the team's first victory in nearly five years. The Bears won all three relays as well as five individual events. The White Bear Press highlighted the team's successful meet.

The WBLAHS Boys' Cross Country Team finished fourth out of 20 teams in the Rosemount Invitational. The Bears were led by senior Luke William who placed third. Find additional details in a White Bear Press article found here.

The White Bear Press recently highlighted White Bear Lake Area High School student Sanyu Mwassa as their featured Emerging Artist. Sanyu is a member of the high school Speech Team, where she has participated in several national tournaments.

In The Community

Our Community Services and Recreation summer programs and sports, including baseball and softball, have came to a close as the new school year begins. Several fall sports are now starting up, including basketball, flag football, soccer, and volleyball. Find more information here. There are also many opportunities for middle schoolers to participate in fall activities. Those details can be found here.

WBLAHS Principal Russ Reetz and his twin, Mounds View High School principal Rob Reetz, were interviewed on KARE 11 before calling the prep football game on Thursday, September 7. See the entertaining conversation here. Find highlights of the game between the Bears and the Mounds View Mustangs here.

WBLAHS senior Ivory Drusch was recently highlighted as a 2023 Senior Spotlight Student by White Bear Lake Magazine. Read more about Ivory and her goals for the school year here.

The WBLAHS Girls' Swim & Dive Team invites students and members of the community to their Youth Night event on Thursday, September 21. The event starts at 5 p.m. at the White Bear YMCA with fun activities for kids including learning the team cheers, a t-shirt contest, chuck-a-duck and more! Find additional details here.

Community members are invited to shop the Flea Market sale at the Senior Center from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 30. Enjoy the wide variety of items and have a bite to eat from the food truck. If you're interested in selling, find information here.

Students in the Transition Education Center (TEC) are open for business with their Bear Boards and More initiative. District staff and community members are invited to check out opportunities to purchase cutting boards and tumblers that have been hand-made made by TEC students themselves. Find additional information in the specific order forms: boards and tumblers.

Activities Updates

The Girls Swim & Dive Team won their dual meet opener and it was the team's first win in nearly five years against Park High School. Find additional details here. The team is also hosting a Youth Night at their September 21 home meet at 5 p.m. at the White Bear YMCA. Come learn the team cheers, enjoy a chuck-a-duck contest and be with the team during the meet. Find more details here. The Girls Volleyball Team are 3-1 after a recent win against Mahtomedi. Read more here. The Boys Cross Country Team finished fourth out of 20 teams in the Rosemount Invitational. Find more information here. The Girls Cross Country Team finished ninth out of 15 teams at the same meet. Read more here. The Girls Tennis Team won their match against Centennial. Find highlights here. The Girls Soccer Team scored late in their game to defeat Andover. Find additional details 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. The Cheer Team is also selling custom Apple Watch bands. 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.

School Board News

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Past Meeting Highlights

Aug. 28 Work Session

Aug. 14 Regular Session

July 10 Regular Session

District News

General Information

Family Notices

2023-24 Annual Notifications - Click here to find a variety of annual notifications, including notices related to: pest management pesticides, asbestos, indoor air quality and lead-in-water.
Bears Boards and More - Bears Boards and More is a student operated school-based business selling customized cutting boards and tumblers housed at the district's Transition Education Center. Find examples of student work here. Information on how to order can be found here.
Application for Educational Benefits - Our school offers healthy meals each day. We are a part of Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program, which means that all students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important because children may qualify for other benefits such as reduced sports/activity fees, reduced internet access and utility bills, reduced AP test registration and college application fees, reduced drivers training and more! Complete the Application for Educational Benefits online at www.schoolcafe.com/isd624. Paper applications can be requested by contacting Nutrition Services at 651-407-7515.
Receiving district messages - District-level emails are being sent from the communications@isd624.org email address. If you are not receiving emails from this account, it is possible that the email address is currently blocked in your email account. Find instructions to unblock the communications@isd624.org email address in different email platforms here.
Requesting an interpreter - Find more information about requesting a call with an interpreter in the language your family speaks.
We Are Hiring! - White Bear Lake Area Schools is hiring for a variety of positions, offering both school-day and out-of-school-time hours. Full- and part-time options are available, and many positions offer flexible hours if needed to accommodate family schedules. The district is seeking paraprofessionals, community services and recreation staff and coaches, and more. Find the online application page here.
Stay connected! - Join White Bear Lake Area Schools' social media circles - Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Community Services & Recreation Fall Catalog - Registration is open for a variety of different fall activities and programs through White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Services & Recreation. Find more details here.
2023-24 and 2024-25 Academic Calendars - Find 2023-24 and preliminary 2024-25 Academic Calendars here.
Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan - The health and safety of our school community is a top priority. White Bear Lake Area Schools will continue to partner with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for guidance and planning regarding COVID-19. To maintain a healthy and safe environment for all, the following protocols will be implemented for the 22/23 school year: The details of our plan can be found at isd624.org/programs/health-services. As required by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, school districts who received funds as part of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds must maintain a Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services plan through the 2023-24 school year. Every six months, the district must review and revise as necessary. If you have any questions or comments that you’d like to share, please do so through this form.
Bear Care Clinic - The Bear Care Clinic offers no-cost health services to all children in the district. Find additional information about the clinic here. Call, email, or make an appointment online!
School Linked Mental Health Services - Find information about School Linked Mental Health Services available to our families here.
Support Hub - The District's Support Hub provides families with resources to address barriers & enhance well-being. This comprehensive resource gives families and community members access to information for essential services including crisis response, basic needs, mental health and wellbeing, physical health, social emotional learning and more.
Calling all baby models - We're looking for "Born to be a Bear" photos! Email photos to us here and you may find your little one featured in District publications!

Awards and Honors

Recognitions - The following celebrations and holidays will take place in September:

Sept. 11 - Patriot Day
Sept. 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
Sept. 15-17 - Rosh Hashanah
Sept. 17 - Constitution Day
Sept. 24-25 - Yom Kippur

Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7578) to submit District News, General Information, Opportunities or Awards & Honors for inclusion in future publications.

Community Services

The WBLAS Community Services and Recreation Department provides a wide range of services and opportunities that enhance the quality of life for all members of ISD 624.

Seasonal Catalogs - Seasonal catalogs are available now! The Community Services Fall Catalog, with multiple opportunities for community members of all ages, can be found here.
Digital Backpack - The Community Services Department distributes electronic flyers on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Flyers include announcements from the school district, as well as local organizations. Those who wish to request distribution of a flyer should email the files to Director Tim Maurer at tim.maurer@isd624.org.
Senior Program
- Check out the latest edition of The Voice.
- Resources Guides - View our updated Resource Guides: Senior Services and senior housing; The Directory.
- Community Bridge - Check out opportunities here. The Community Bridge Consortium is an adults with cognitive disabilities program supported by the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, South Washington County, Roseville, White Bear and Mahtomedi School Districts.

Senior Program Updates

The White Bear Area Senior Center is a program of the White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Services & Recreation Department.

The Voice - Stay informed about the latest community offerings for seniors in the community through The Voice.
Resources Guides - View our updated Resource Guides: Senior Services and senior housing; The Directory.
FREE Activity Pass for Senior Community Members (age 65+) - White Bear Lake Area Schools offer a variety of activities - home athletic contests, concerts, and theater productions to name a few. Join us! Please fill out this application and you will be sent the pass in the US Mail. If you have questions, please contact Rachael Markuson at 651-407-7563 or rachael.markuson@isd624.org.
Be a Bear! The district currently has many staff openings available! Find the online application page here.

Support WBLAS Students

Bears Boards and More - Bears Boards and More is a student operated school-based business selling customized cutting boards and tumblers housed at the district's Transition Education Center. Find examples of student work here. Information on how to order can be found here.
The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) is an independent, non-profit corporation promoting excellence in education in White Bear Lake Area School District 624 schools.
- We are in need of volunteers to assist at The Closet. If you are a parent that has a flexible schedule and would like to help our district families in need, please contact info@wblaef.org. More information about The Closet can be found HERE.
Be a Bear! - White Bear Lake Area Schools is hiring for a variety of positions, offering both school-day and out-of-school-time hours. Full- and part-time options are available, and many positions offer flexible hours if needed to accommodate family schedules. The district is seeking paraprofessionals, community services and recreation staff and coaches, and more. Find the online application page here.
Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7578) to submit District News, General Information, Opportunities or Awards & Honors for inclusion in future publications.

Partnership Updates

The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) is an independent, non-profit corporation promoting excellence in education in White Bear Lake Area School District 624 schools.
- The Closet:
  - The Closet is not able to take used clothing donations at this time; however, we are able to take NEW items if you have any to donate. Please call 651-407-7696 with any questions.
  - The Closet is open for appointments! When students in our school district present a need for clothing, they are able to shop for items needed, free of charge. Students and families are referred to The Closet by school administration staff and a personal appointment is scheduled for the family or student visit. For more information, visit the website by clicking HERE.
  - We are in need of volunteers to assist at The Closet. If you are a parent that has a flexible schedule and would like to help our district families in need, please contact info@wblaef.org. More information about The Closet can be found HERE.
- We are Hiring! - White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation is now hiring for a part time office administrator. Learn more: https://www.wblaef.org/career.

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