Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Summer Activities

Student News

Movin' and Groovin'

Four members of the WBLAHS Speech Team competed in the National Speech and Debate Association tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. Recent WBLAHS graduates Sanyu Mwassa and Mariam Elias-Danjuma were named National Champions placing first in Duo Interpretation out of over 260 competitors in their category. Recent graduate Alex Her advanced to the elimination round in Poetry along with teammate senior Praise Oyekunle who advanced in the Poetry and Prose category. Praise finished in fourth place in her respective category. The team also received a School of Honor award. Their achievements were highlighted by Kare 11 News and the White Bear Press. In other news, WBLAHS Softball player Heidi Barber was named a finalist for the Ms. Softball award. Read more about the award here. 

Bears of all ages are movin' and groovin' this summer thanks to a variety of activities offered through the WBLAS Community Services and Recreation department. Students enjoyed a football camp on Price Field learning the basics of the sports from high school mentors while challenging themselves and making new friends! Find more information about youth activities and other opportunities for Bears of all ages on the Community Services and Recreation webpage.  

Students at Oneka Elementary have been enjoying their summer by taking part in several exciting activities including a special visit from local first responders. Students were able to check out the inside and outside of a firetruck, ambulance and different vehicles from the Sheriff's office. They also presented a special card to the first responders, thanking them for all they work they do to protect and serve our communities! Meanwhile, the White Bear Press recently highlighted other activities happening throughout the district this summer.

Community Engagement

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. Stop by our orange tent for temporary tattoos, pencils and conversation during the summertime event in downtown White Bear Lake on July 18 and 25! In other community engagement news, a tour of the new White Bear Lake Area High School is being planned as one of many activities for the upcoming White Bear and Mariner Class of 1974 50th reunion the weekend of August 24. Additional details can be found in this White Bear Press article. You can also check out the building during a community-wide open house from 3-6 p.m. on  Thursday, August 29.

As we continue to hire Bears for the 2024-25 school year, we need substitute teachers, bus drivers, paraeducators, Extended Day and Nutrition Services staff members, 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.

Willow Lane Elementary's first Minnow Tank Effect Scholarship winner was announced this month! Staff members visited fifth grader Holly Halverson-Vue to share the wonderful news with her dad and sister present. The Minnow Tank Effect Scholarship will be awarded to fifth graders from Willow Lane over the next four years who demonstrate the Minnow Tank values of service to others, teamwork, gratitude and perseverance. The funds for the scholarships were donated by two Minnow Tank coaches and an anonymous donor. Holly will now be assigned a mentor who she will be meeting with once per month until she graduates from high school and her scholarship will go to a post-secondary institution when she graduates from high school. Two more fifth grade students will also be awarded scholarships this summer! 

Families and community members can now follow White Bear Lake Area Schools on Instagram as well as Facebook. Find us at instagram.com/isd624 to see 624 Facts shared that are shared daily and issues of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" shared weekly during the academic year.

In the Spotlight

A WBLAS family found themselves in the spotlight after working together to locate the Hugo Good Neighbor Days Golden Spike. The hunt took place in June. The Citizen spoke with the Simanek family about their search. They said they found the spike taped to a wooden post along 147th Street, near Lions Volunteer Park. The family mentioned their search brought them to that area after clue six referenced "PPP" which stands for Peder Pedersen Pavilion located in Lions Volunteer Park. 

More than 7,500 people took part in Grandma's Marathon in Duluth. Among those were several White Bear Lake Area High School grads! The White Bear Press highlighted Mike Rohlinger who ran the race in a time of two hours, 45 minutes and 40 seconds, placing in the top three percent of finishers. Find the full list of local runners here.

WBLAHS lacrosse players Jaeda Jensen and Beverly Peterson were highlighted in the White Bear Press for their work together on and off the field. The duo started playing the sport in seventh grade and knew right away they had a passion for it. After six years of high school and club seasons the two soon-to-be college student-athletes will be taking their love for lacrosse to Detroit Mercy in Michigan were they will once again be teammates working together on and off the field. 

WBLAHS junior Makade Mastel was recently highlighted by the White Bear Press for his participation in the high flying summer performances at Circus Juventas’. Mastel told the paper, this is his fifth year with Circus Juventas and during the upcoming shows he will perform stunts including Russian Swing, teeterboard, parkour, and wall trampoline while portraying the master pirate swordsman Phineas Larue. 

 Activities Updates

Registration opens July 15 for the Fall Sports Season for middle and high school students. Find additional details here. WBLAHS Softball player Heidi Barber was named a finalist for the Ms. Softball award. Read more here. Four members of the WBLAHS Speech Team competed in a National tournament in Iowa. Learn more here. Two WBLAHS grads and former Girls Lacrosse teammates were highlighted in the White Bear Press.

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. 

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