Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Bears on the Move!

Student News

Community Connections

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 which runs through July 31. Wear orange and join us for an “Orange Out” photo at 6:30 p.m. on July 10! We’re sponsoring WBLAS Spirit Night, filling 4th Street with activities and student groups. You can check out this video for fun highlights from last year's sponsored event. 

District leaders, the Manitou Days Writing Contest winners and their families enjoyed walking in the Manitou Days parade alongside various district groups and activities! The group handed out pencils to community members who lined the streets of downtown White Bear Lake enjoying all the floats and decorated vehicles!

As we continue to hire Bears for the 2025-26 school year, we need teachers, paraprofessionals, transportation staff, 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.

We are in the midst of planning transportation for the 2025-26 school year. To help improve service for all students, we’re working to identify those who will not be using bus transportation next year. If your student(s) will not ride the bus – whether in the morning, afternoon, or both – we ask that you complete and submit this opt-out form by July 15. While we prefer to receive responses by this time, forms will be accepted at any time. We encourage families to complete this task now so they can enjoy the rest of summer with one less thing on their to-do list! You can find more information here. If you have questions, please contact Transportation Services at 651-653-2734 or email us at transportation@isd624.org.

Bears in the News

The White Bear Lake Area School District is pleased to announce that Jennifer Chappuis has been chosen to serve as the district’s new Assistant Director of Early Childhood Programs for the 2025-26 school year. Chappuis brings more than 22 years of experience as a dedicated educator and school leader, most recently serving as a PK-5 principal in Cannon Falls. She holds an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is deeply committed to building welcoming, developmentally appropriate learning spaces where all children and families feel valued and supported. Learn more about her background and excitement to join our district here. 

White Bear grad Joel Reichow finished first in Grandma's Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 11 minutes, 58 seconds. With that win, he also became the first to win both the full and half marathons (he won Grandma's Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon in 2023). Read more about his journey and successes in the Star Tribune and WCCO News Talk.

The White Bear Press recently recognized White Bear Lake Area High School's graduating class and the top academic achievers. Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2025!

Taelynn Gittins, Head Coach of the WBLAHS Boys' Soccer Team, was interviewed by WCCO as part of their weekly "Women in Sports" segment. Coach Gittins started as the goalie coach for the Bears after playing division III soccer in college. In 2024, she was named head coach becoming the first female to lead the program and helped the team secure 7 wins during the 2024-25 season. Another name in the news, 2025 WBLAHS graduate Gabe Kessel was recently highlighted by KARE 11 for completing high school while battling a rare, aggressive form of brain cancer. 

WBLAHS grad Nolan Roed was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche during the seventh round of the NHL draft this past weekend. The 2024 grad was a Mr. Hockey finalist his senior year and helped the Bears secure a spot in the State tournament. Learn more about his impressive achievement here.  

Mr. Gritzmacher's art class at WBLAHS designed and created artwork for the Bear Care Clinic this past spring. A grant from the Greater White Bear Lake Area Foundation was used to purchase art supplies for this project. Students conducted research on clinic space conceptions and created art that would provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for patients visiting the clinic. Their work was featured in the Bear Car annual report. 

Celebrations and Achievements

WBLAHS Speech Team members Praise Oyekunle and Lydia Jersak competed in the 100th annual National Speech and Debate competition in Des Moines, Iowa. Praise made it to the semifinals, finishing 11th in the nation in the category of Program of Oral Interpretation.

The WBLAHS Trap & Skeet Team participated in the MN Clay Target Skeet State Championship at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake. The team took second place overall! Josie Jorgenson placed first in Novice Girls and Tommy  Bourgoin placed second in the conference for the season. The team will now attend the USA Clay Target Trap Nationals in Mason Michigan, July 9-13.

The White Bear class of 1968 gathered for a reunion event last week! They celebrated by taking a tour of the new high school building to see all the updated spaces and facilities and of course by taking a class photo!

In 2019, the White Bear Lake Area Schools community supported a band referendum that allowed us to bring together our 9th through 12th grade students. This year, our campuses were united for the first time in decades and our students, families, staff and community experienced what it is to be Better Together. Enjoy this video and see snippets of the very beginning stages of the build to now - when students and staff are taking full advantage of the incredible opportunities within the new high school building!

Thanks to support from the community, Extended Day staff members felt appreciated, energized and full of gratitude during their professional development training! Local businesses helped provide breakfast, lunches and snacks. The excitement around the kind gesture was evident—it made a huge difference in setting a positive tone for the week. Meanwhile, custodial staff from WBLAS and other metro districts enjoyed professional development training at White Bear Lake Area High School, utilizing the many spaces as opportunities for collaboration.

Movin' and Groovin'

Students at Oneka Elementary have been enjoying their summer by taking part in exciting activities! They took a field trip to downtown White Bear Lake visiting the farmers market and completing a scavenger hunt together. Students also enjoyed walking through several businesses and stopping at Cup and Cone for a sweet treat!

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 where members of the Minnesota Gophers Football Team stopped by. Students also participated in a basketball camp in the WBLAHS Field House, learning the basics of these 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 Transition Education Center had the chance to interact with Tori’s Precious Pets. They were given the opportunity to meet, pet, and observe a variety of animals, including tortoises, a hedgehog, a chinchilla, a lionhead rabbit, a guinea pig, and even a snake. These animal-assisted activities offer great benefits, including reducing stress, fostering positive emotions, and encouraging responsibility, patience, and empathy. Interacting with animals also helps students build self-confidence and practice important social skills, making it an enriching experience for all.

The WBLAHS Speech Team will be participating in the Little Fair Hands exhibit at the State Fair on Sunday, August 24, as a fundraiser. They are looking for volunteers at all times throughout the day in shifts. Shifts are 3 hrs and 30 minutes long and start at 7 am, 10 am, 1 pm and 4 pm. The easy and fun work involves interacting with kids as they go through the exhibit and other light tasks. All who volunteer will receive a FREE ticket to enjoy the Fair before or after their shift. Kids as young as 13 can help. Those who are interested in helping out are asked to complete this Google form.

 Activities Updates

Registration opens July 14 for the Fall Sports Season for middle and high school student-athletes. Find additional details here. Joel Reichow, a 2012 WBLAHS grad and member of the boys' cross country team, won Grandmas Marathon with a time of 2:11:58. Read about his experience here. The Trap & Skeet Team placed second overall at the MN Clay Target Skeet State Championship. Speech Team members Praise Oyekunle and Lydia Jersak competed in the 100th annual National Speech and Debate competition. Baseball Team members Blake Eckerle and Evan Newlander were named 1st Team All State. Softball Team member Maddy Belisle was named to the State Tournament All Tournament Team while Kendall Kotzmacher was named 1st Team All State. Find additional team awards:

• Softball
• Baseball
• Boys' Tennis
• Girls' Lacrosse
• Boys' Lacrosse

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. 

Youth Enrichment Classes

Check out the opportunities to move and grove listed below!

School Board News

District News

General Information