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In Photos: Wintertime Activities

Student News

Embracing the Season

Early Childhood students at Tamarack Nature Center are enjoying the great outdoors! Taking a break from learning, students enjoyed the always exciting wintertime activity of sledding! There was finally enough snow on the ground for students to take a few rides down the hill. While other students simply had fun playing in the snow together!

Students in our Extended Day Program enjoyed an exciting field trip to TCO Sports Garden, home to the WBLAHS Boys' Hockey team! The day's activities included time on the ice as students learned how to skate or helped their friends enjoy the wintertime activity. Others students opted to use the field house area to play football, soccer and other team activities. Meanwhile Mariner Middle Schoolers were eager to pick up their skating gear and head outdoors for some friendly games and practice during their gym class. 

From enjoying activities in the cooler temperatures to embracing others in a warmer climate, elementary students across the district are learning the importance of water safety, through our lessons in partnership with the White Bear Area YMCA. Students are gaining confidence in the pool by practicing swimming different strokes, kicking and floating in the water. Their lessons were captured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".  During their first lesson, Birch Lake students also raced their hand-made boats. Students learned about buoyancy and worked in groups to create their own floating devices. 

Hands-on Activities

In gym class, fifth graders at Vadnais Heights Elementary practiced playing volleyball. Their teacher explained the various rules and motions of the sport. Students then worked on using correct form when serving, passing and setting the ball to each other. Take a closer look at their lesson in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

As part of their clothing unit, students at Tamarack Nature Center were visited by Inga the sheep! Students are learning where different types of fabric come from. They also learned about the different "clothes" animals wear, which in Inga’s case is wool! Get a closer look at this lesson in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Meanwhile, other early childhood students took part in a different fun hands-on activity related to their lessons about different materials and fabrics. They used two different colors of wool material to make felted bracelets. This project, which was captured in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds", also helped students practice following directions and taking turns.

Tenth grade Language Arts students are preparing for future careers by taking part in mock interviews, which were highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". The lesson was in partnership with the Career Pathways Program. Their current lesson is all about "language arts in the real world". Students created cover letters and resumes and practiced applying for jobs. Several district staff members, community members and industry partners took time to participate in the activity to help students gain confidence, improve their professional communication skills and more!

Community Engagement

It was a night of food, music and dancing during the 43rd annual Jazz Night Club event held in the high school's Student Union! High school students performed classic jazz tunes as their peers, staff and community members danced the night away! Swing dancing lesson were also provided. Students spent several weeks perfecting the music played at the event. You can see their rehearsals in action in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". 

On Monday, in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, WBLAHS students and staff members participated in a MLK Community Event for the Northeast Suburbs along with community leaders.

District leaders hosted area Realtors last week in the White Bear Lake Area High School student union. The industry professionals listened to a special presentation and joined in on conversations about the district. Following the lunchtime chat, attendees were given a tour of the new space and upgraded facilities within the high school including the new Performing Arts Center, music area, Galvin Court and the learning studio areas. 

District staff members also led White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation fundraising breakfast attendees on tours through White Bear Lake Area High School to showcase the completed work that brought students in grades 9-12 together in one building this past fall. This project and the ones happening across the district were made possible due to the community's support to the 2019 Building Our Future Bond Referendum. Community members can follow along in the district’s Building Our Future Facilities Process to see all projects happening right now, what's been completed and the projects still to come.

The WBLAHS One Act Play production, “She Kills Monsters” by Qui Nguyen, advanced to Section Finals during the competition at Irondale High School. Prior to the competition performance, students took center stage in the brand new Performing Arts Center for a dress rehearsal in front of their families and staff. Watch a sneak peak at their rehearsals in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Despite the unfavorable end to their season, White Bear Lake Area High School students and staff who root for the Minnesota Vikings football team, gathered together in the Student Union to cheer on the team the morning of the first round of playoffs. Watch the large crowd perform the tradition "Skol" chant, lead by members of the WBLAHS Drum Line!

Exciting Achievements

The Central Middle School Knowledge Bowl team, The Grapes of Wrath, finished third out of 32 teams during a competition at John Glenn Middle School on January 23. Congratulations to Alan Zech, Frank Perron, Henry Jensen, Sebastian Anderson and Levi Nelsen.

The White Bear Lake Area High School Archery Team hosted 25 teams during their first Winter Shootout tournament which took place at the Field House. Several middle school teams were also invited to participate. Top finisher was Dylan Hood who placed second for high school boys in bullseye shooting. He shot a 292 out of 300 which was a personal best for the archer. 

The WBLAHS Girls Hockey Team defeated Forest Lake 4-2. The Bears took an early led with three goals in the first period and ended the game with an empty netter. Read more game highlights here. Meanwhile, the Boys Hockey Team shutout Mounds View winning 5-0. Find more game details here. In other high school sports news, the Girls Basketball Team recently tripped conference opponent Roseville 43-39. Read additional game highlights here. 

In other news of achievements, it's time once again to celebrate professional excellence as part of the White Bear Lake Area Educators’ Teacher of the Year program. The process begins with 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 February 18th, 2025, at 4 p.m. In alignment with Education Minnesota’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year program, nominations will be advanced for WBLAE members who: have a valid Minnesota teaching license; have taught for five years before nomination; and spend at least 50% of their day working directly with students. If you know of an outstanding non-teacher educator who deserves recognition, please consider nominating them for the Lynn Mielke Distinguished Educator Award through the White Bear Lake Area Education Foundation.

Youth Enrichment Opportunities

Jr STEM Club from Engineering for Kids inspires students in grades K-4 to explore science, technology, engineering, and math while developing essential 21st-century skills. Through hands-on activities and group projects, kids build problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. Each session empowers participants to approach challenges with confidence, creativity, and determination. From building bridges to designing circuits, Jr STEM Club sparks curiosity and instills a lifelong love of learning. Find more information here. 

 Activities Updates

WBLAHS Archery athlete Dylan Hood placed second in bullseye shooting during a recent home meet. The Girls Hockey Team defeated Forest Lake 4-2. Read more game highlights here. The Boys Hockey Team shutout Mounds View winning 5-0. Find more game details here. The Girls Basketball Team recently tripped conference opponent Roseville 43-39. Read additional game highlights 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.

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