Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Busy Bears!

Student News

Bears Giving Back

Students in the Work-Based Learning Program at White Bear Lake Area High School are taking  part in monthly volunteer shifts at the White Bear Area Food Shelf. Students from the Bear Buddies group joined in for a busy shift as they sorted items in the Food Shelf warehouse. Their hard work was captured in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". Activities like this are an excellent opportunity for students to further develop their employment skills while supporting the community.

Mariner Middle School Student Council members presented a check for $2,450 to the White Bear Area Food Shelf! Students raised the money during their school-wide coin drive competition. Each grade level and advisory competed to bring in the highest amount. The eighth grade class won the overall competition. 

High school students and district staff members took on the Cool School Polar Plunge challenge, where proceeds from the fundraiser are donated to Special Olympics Minnesota. Participants raised over $15,000! The school's goal with $10,000. As part of the experience student groups and staff took turns jumping into the freezing cold mobile plunge tank. The event was highlighted in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". 

Mrs. Rider's fifth grade class at Vadnais Heights Elementary took a zoom call from an Orphanage in Lurin, Peru following a service project they participated in. Students collected eyeglasses to donate to a trip that Mrs. Rider was planning to take to this Orphanage. The class learned about the indigenous people who lived in Central America and South America through their CKLA Unit they studied in October and November. When Mrs. Rider went to the Orphanage in January, she worked beside many other volunteers who fitted people in the community with a pair of eyeglasses they would not have been able to buy otherwise. There were a total of 6,000 eyeglasses brought to Lurin on that trip, a little over 100 of which were collected from Vadnais Heights.

Collaboration and Teamwork

The district’s youngest Bears and their families in Normandy Park’s Early Childhood Family Education classes were movin’ and groovin’ during an exciting event. Students explored each classroom with their families, played with sensory materials and enjoyed an interactive performance with the Senior Center’s Ukulele Bears as they danced and sang together! Watch the activities come to life in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

At North Star Elementary, students and staff are celebrating kindness this month. First and second graders paired with students in the third and fourth grade studio for a Kindness Project. They created “Bee Kind” bee’s and signs to display around their building. On each sign, students worked together to write different ways everyone can demonstrate kindness at school and in the community! The project was captured in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

April is National Poetry Month! To celebrate the recognition, members of the Mariner Middle School Poetry Club hosted a Poetic Performance event! Students in kindergarten through eighth grade were invited to read their original poems in the Mariner Middle School Auditorium. 

We had a terrific time hosting a district booth at the Hugo Business Association's Kidz N Biz event on April 12! One of our many visitors included one of our littlest Bears, who found herself in a Calendar cover photo sporting a "Born to be a Bear" onesie and her signature hair bow. We love receiving photos of students supporting their Bear wear attire ( "Born to be a Bear" onesie, "Screen at 3" t-shirt and "I'm a Bear" kindergarten t-shirt)! Email photos to us here and you may find your little one featured in District publications!

Exciting Happenings

Every year, the Manitou Days Committee sponsors a writing contest for White Bear elementary and middle school students. This year’s theme is “Bears Making History.” In honor of that theme, students are invited to write about history in their community. Students may choose to focus on a historical community figure or even to write about how they themselves plan to make history in their community! The deadline is Friday, May 9. Contest participants could win $50, a pizza and pool party, and the opportunity to walk in the Manitou Days Grand Parade on the evening of Friday, June 20! To learn more please see this Manitou Days Writing Contest flyer.

The WBLAHS Stadium Field and Price Field will serve as sites for Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) tournament happening later this month. In the release announcing details of the collegiate event, the fields were highlighted as being great venues to take in the competition. In other facilities news, the WBLAHS construction project was recently included in Learning By Design's Spring 2025 Education Facilities Design Awards Showcase. The Outstanding Project highlight can be found on page 101 of the magazine.

Speaking of performances, elementary students at Vadnais Heights wrapped up their production of "101 Dalmatians" last week. Students had so much fun learning their lines, songs and dances. They also enjoyed gaining first hand experience of what it takes to produce a play including exploring costumes, lighting and sound. 

Outdoor Learning

Last week, students and staff in the district's Early Childhood program celebrated "The Week of the Young Child" in the preschool classrooms. Preschool students took their learning outside to jam together with different instruments for Music Monday! Those who are interested in registering their preschool-aged children for our safe and nurturing, four star (highest possible rating) Parent Aware rated programs can do so here!

Students at Mariner Middle School took their gym class outside, taking advantage of the opportunity to exercise in nice weather. They worked together and had fun during various games and activities, including playing catch and riding on scooters! Their exciting afternoon was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".  

District Kudos

Three members of the WBLAHS Speech Team are heading to the State competition after qualifying at the Section 4AA Speech tournament. Senior Praise Oyekunle was the Section Champion in Prose, junior Madi Olson placed second in Info and sophomore Elodie Dikeman placed third in Prose. Freshman Ary Charles was also a finalist, placing sixth in Original Oratory. The MSHSL Speech Tournament is Saturday, April 26 at Shakopee High School. The team is also hosting their Speech Showcase and Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6 at the Mariner Middle School Auditorium. Find registration information here. 

The WBLAHS Boys' Golf Team opened their season by placing third out of 30 teams at the Bunker Hills Early Bird tournament. Two Bears placed in the top eight individually: Easton Fiddle placed second and Jack Stanius placed seventh place. Find more team highlights in this White Bear Press article. The team also placed fourth out of 48 teams during at tournament in Wisconsin. Read additional team highlights here. 

The WBLAHS Girls Lacrosse Team also secured a win during their season opener against Mahtomedi. The Bears edged out the Zephyrs 7-6 at home. Find additional game highlights in this White Bear Press article. 

The Boys' Track & Field Team hosted all 10 Suburban East Conference teams for a meet. The Bears placed third and secured three individual wins. They came from Isaac Kolstad in the 800, Tyrese Behnken in the 110 hurdles and Malik Doumbia in the triple jump. Your can read more meet highlights in this White Bear Press article. 

Youth Enrichment Classes

 Activities Updates

The WBLAHS Varsity Baseball Team is taking on Mounds View High School at Target Field on Wednesday, May 21! Find event and ticket information here. The team defeated both East Ridge and Roseville is recent matchups. Read more here. The Boys Golf Team placed third out of 30 teams at the Bunker Hills Early Bird tournament. Find team highlights here. The Girls Lacrosse Team won their home opener against Mathomedi 7-6. Find additional details here. The Boys Lacrosse Team defeated East Ridge in overtime 8-7. Find game highlights here. The Boys Track & Field Team placed third out of ten teams during a home meet. Three Bears secured individual wins. Find additional details here. The Girls Track & Field Team placed fifth out of eight teams at their season opener meet. Read more here. The Boys Tennis Team won their season opener against South St. Paul sweeping the singles matches. Find team highlights here. They also defeated Hill-Murray 5-2. Read additional match details here. Three members of the Speech Team are heading to the State tournament!

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

Two staff members were also recognized for recent accomplishments during the April 14 School Board regular meeting. 

The Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence recognized the White Bear Lake Area High School Automotive Career Pathway and teacher Derek Doescher with the Exemplary Secondary Program of the Year award for 2025. This award showcases secondary level transportation programs that serve as exemplary models of institutional support, instructional leadership, and program-wide excellence. Key factors contributing to this honor include the strong community partnerships Derek has cultivated with local automotive businesses, post-secondary institutions, and industry organizations, as well as the program’s collaboration with the Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training program. 

Erika Florczak, Special Education Teacher at Otter Lake Elementary, was recognized for her recent achievement of National Board Certification. The rigorous process of certification involves a teacher demonstrating standards-based evidence of their positive effect on student learning, providing evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning, and more. She is now one of only 241 teachers in Minnesota with an active certification.

District News

General Information