Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Smiles in Session

Student News

Engaging Lessons

Baby chicks have hatched at North Star Elementary in the first and second grade studio! Over the past few weeks, students have been studying the life cycle of chickens learning about the different phases and development of the eggs. They monitored the eggs from an incubator and now they get to watch the chicks grow and play! This exciting lesson was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Kindergarteners at Matoska International wrapped up their science unit on weather with a special presentation. Meteorologist Jamie Kagol with KARE11 News visited their classroom and showed students the different ways he tracks the forecast. He also answered questions about weather and explained how different weather patterns form. The activity was featured in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Fourth graders at Birch Lake conducted mock interviews with community members to prepare for their field trip to Junior Achievement's Biz Town in St. Paul. The interactive experience from the Junior Achievement program teaches students about different jobs, employment opportunities and what it takes for a city to run smoothly. Students had so much fun collaborating and problem solving various tasks during their field trip. 

It was a full house at Oneka Elementary for the Spring into Art Party! Students had fun walking their families through the school to show off their artwork displayed throughout the hallways! Attendees also enjoyed indoor and outdoor activities including face painting, bubble making, rock decorating, food trucks and more! The family fun event was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Bears in the News

Willow Lane Elementary fifth graders are “taking over” local restaurant Donatelli’s in White Bear Lake working as the cooks, servers and hosts over the lunch hour. Their most recent shift was highlighted in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". Students will be there from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. again on May 20th, which is also their last shift. Stop by for terrific student service! A recent White Bear Press article highlighted this program along with the Minnow Tank project - two community outreach programs happening at Willow Lane. 

Willow Lane fifth graders invited Gabe Kessel, a WBLAHS student and former wrestler who is fighting a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer, to their classroom. Gabe, who attended Willow Lane Elementary, was joined by his father as they shared his diagnosis journey with the students and answered their questions. The fifth grade class is donating the tips they make while working at Donatelli's to Gabe’s treatment. Gabe and his family stopped by Donatelli’s recently to visit and support the students. When he was in fifth grade, Gabe worked a shift during the restaurant takeover. 

Vadnais Heights student Emme Anders (shown on the far left) was highlighted in a White Bear Press story recapping the annual Spring Ice Show held at the White Bear Lake Sports Center. The exciting event featured talented figure skaters showcasing their skills and abilities!

The May issue of White Bear Lake Magazine includes a highlight of School Grounds, WBLAHS's student-run coffee shop. School Grounds, which is a part of the high school’s Culinary Arts Career Pathway program, teaches students about customer service, sanitation procedures and business practices. Speaking of the high school, the building's addition and renovation construction project was listed as a Top Construction Project of 2024 in "Finance & Commerce" publication.

White Bear Lake Area High School students joined the more than 4,000 high school students from across the country in participating in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. Madisyn Wiggins placed second at the local-level while Olivia Baker took first place and also placed first at the district-level! She is now competing in the State competition. The two students were joined by Bob Krominga, VFW Post Commander, Sara McFee, VFW Post 1782 Auxiliary President and Joan Mample, VFW Post 1782 Aux Youth Chair, to receive rewards!

The WBLAHS Boys' Golf Team won their home invitational against seven teams. Top scorer for the Bears was Easton Fiddle who placed first overall and shot an eagle on one of the holes. Find additional information here. The team also placed fifth at a SEC meet led by Jack Stanius and Fiddle. Read more highlights here. The Girls' Golf Team is also having a great season. Most recently, they won their six team home invitational. Maddy Vang placed second individually. Find tournament details in this article. 

The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation presented its 2025 Lynn Mielke Distinguished Educator Award to Leigh
Anderson, Intervention Teacher at Willow Lane Elementary. Leigh's family surprised her as she was being presented with the award. A group of volunteers from the Reading Buddies program, which Leigh organizes for the school, nominated her for the honor. You can read more about the award here. 

Community Engagement

Leading the Way

The White Bear Lake Area High School Environmental Club recently planted raised garden beds in the new outdoor classroom with native, pollinator-friendly plants. This initiative aims to educate students about the ecological benefits of native vegetation and the vital role pollinators play in supporting healthy ecosystems.

Middle school students are making their future classmates feel welcome! Central and Mariner hosted fifth grade orientation events to help prepare the incoming sixth graders for the transition from elementary school to middle school. The activities were featured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". Fifth graders received tours of the buildings, had the opportunity to ask questions, learned how to open a lock and explored what their day-to-day schedules would look like.

Vadnais Heights Elementary students and staff gathered along their hallways for their annual cereal run event! Students cheered loudly as 470 boxes fell like dominos! The school spent several weeks collecting cereal boxes, all of which were donated to the Vadnais Heights Food Shelf.

Otter Lake Elementary students are learning about an important topic with help from an enthusiastic character! The Minnesota Twins mascot, T.C. Bear and his animal control team stopped by to talk about T.C.’s Strike Out Plan centered around mental health and wellness. Students and staff watched a video message from Byron Buxton, took part in interactive games and learned T.C. Bear's three steps to "strike out poor mental health": notice how you're feeling, name your feeling and share your feelings with someone you trust. The activity was also highlighted in a recent KARE11 News story.

Matoska International students and staff were treated to a special performance! Staff member Jessica Hosmer's son Bode is a member of one of the Minnesota BoyChoir groups. They travel around the world performing and receiving choral music training, education, performance opportunities, and other experiences to instill excellent musicianship and sound values. 

White Bear Lake Area High Schools student Clara Seeley was one of three teen representatives from the Ramsey County Student Action Team (SAT) who traveled to Washington, D.C. earlier this month to accept the Group Advocates of the Year award from the national organization Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids at a special ceremony. The award recognizes the group's leadership in preventing nicotine addiction among their peers.

 Activities Updates

The Bears Softball Team defeated Tartan at home 6-1 in their last regular season game. Read game highlights here. The Bears Baseball Team took home a win against Park. Find more details about the game here. The Boys' Golf Team won their home invitational against seven teams. Find additional information here. The team also placed fifth at a SEC meet led by Jack Stanius and Easton Fiddle. Read more highlights here. The Girls' Golf Team won their six team home invitational. Find tournament details in this article. The Boys Lacrosse Team took home a win against Mathomedi. Read more here. Madisyn Wiggins placed second at the local-level in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest while Olivia Baker took first place and also placed first at the district-level! She is now competing in the State competition.

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!

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 Honors

School Board Student Liaisons Lydia Kleinhans and Thomas Reese were recognized at the May 12 Regular School Board meeting for their participation and commitment to this important student role with the School Board. High school Speech Team members and middle school students who took part in History Day were recognized for their state and national-level accomplishments. Watch the May Student Recognition video here. 

District News

General Information