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In Photos: Go Bears!

Student News

Homecoming Week 2024

We celebrated a busy, successful Homecoming 2024, the first celebrated in our 9-12 building. The week kicked off with a variety of activities on October 6, including a community Bounce House Carnival. Throughout the week, students enjoyed theme days, athletic contests and special events. WBLAHS celebrated its first 9-12 pep fest. The event featured student performances, a captains relay race and a contest among staff members. Members of the varsity football team also visited their former elementary schools to eat with the younger Bears and enjoy a game of football during recess. Students and community members wore their orange and black for the Friday, October 11 parade through Downtown White Bear Lake and at the varsity football game that evening. Saturday, October 12 started with a fundraising bike ride and ended with the semi-formal dance. It was a memorable week filled with Bear pride throughout WBLAS! Check out a glimpse at some of the fun in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

WBLAHS World Language classes participated in the annual Homecoming World Cup tournament. Students in French, Spanish and American Sign Language classes participated. They played mini-games of soccer but were only allowed to speak or sign in their target language. If anyone spoke English, it was a goal for the opposing team. They learned vocabulary related to soccer but especially had fun using soccer cheers and chants in other languages. It was a spirited way to build community and belonging in each class.

Students, staff and community members gathered at a “Set Sail with Mariner Middle School” Open House event that celebrated the opening of Mariner Middle School while also honoring the legacy of Mariner High School during the week of Homecoming. Guests enjoyed learning about the history of the building and opportunities to reconnect. The exciting event was highlighted in this video. The opening of Mariner Middle School was made possible by the community’s support of the 2019 Bond Referendum. 

On Thursday, October 10th, White Bear Lake Area High School was honored to welcome seven visitors from the Pacific Islands as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program sponsored by the United States Department of State. Guests were hosted by the Career Pathways program to learn about and discuss STEM and Healthcare teaching and curriculum development within the United States and specifically within the Health and Wellness Career Pathways at WBLAS. Guests learned about the classes, curriculum, students organizations and industry partnerships offered through WBLAHS and how our high school is preparing students for the healthcare workforce. Guests were able to hear from students and teachers directly while also getting a tour of the state-of-the-art STEM and CNA (certified nursing assistant) learning spaces and classrooms.

Important Lessons

As seen in this video, students throughout the district participated in specialized lessons in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day. High schoolers listened and learned from the district’s Indian Education Program coordinator. At the elementary-level, students read books and took part in hands-on activities with their teachers and classmates.

WBLAHS and ALC students who are members of Latinos Unidos group took a field trip to Birch Lake Elementary. The older Bears paired up to read a story of their choice to various classes from kindergarten to third grade. The younger Bears enjoyed listening to new books and asking the high schoolers questions about the stories. 

Oneka Elementary fifth graders stepped outside the classroom for their amplify science lesson. In groups, students used different parts to create an electrical system that would make a small fan turn on a motor powered by a solar panel. They were also tasked with trying to find ways to get the fan to speed up or slow down or spin in the opposite direction. They had to draw a diagram of their system and note their observations.

A group of exchange students and staff from Germany said their goodbyes and returned home after spending two weeks at WBLAHS. The students were in the city through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP), a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for exchange between the United States and Germany. During their stay, the students participated in many fun activities tailored to introduce them to Minnesota’s culture and events. The White Bear Press highlighted their adventures in this article. 

Igniting Curiosities

In art class, fourth graders at Oneka Elementary drew self-portraits. Students practiced proportional drawing using a ruler, mirror and a shading technique to draw the unique features of their faces. They also studied different artists’ drawing styles to find inspiration. Check out their creations in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Birch Lake second graders walked to White Bear Lake City Hall for a field trip. Students toured the building, learned about the employees who work there and met with first responders who showed off their different vehicles. Students had so much fun learning about different roles and job opportunities needed to run a city. Watch their field trip come to life in this video. 

Fourth graders at Vadnais Heights Elementary learned about the medieval time period. They studied the different jobs people in that era had including knights! One hands-on activity they did in class was make helmets. Students even took the knights code of chivalry to be loyal friends and fair to all! Their lesson was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

The WBLAHS Girls' Swim and Dive team hosted a youth night during their most recent home meet against Mounds View. The student-athletes welcomed over 20 young fans to their pool deck teaching them the team cheers, encouraging them during the chuck-a-duck contest, and had fun sharing their love for the sports with the little Bears! Come cheer on the Bears at their last meet of the season (and it's senior night!) as they take on Park High School on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the White Bear YMCA Aquatics Center. 

District Kudos

The Willow Lane Elementary kindergarten team's work on closing the literacy gap was recently highlighted in the Education Minnesota magazine. The district's Core Knowledge Language Arts (Amplify CKLA) curriculum, implemented throughout the district, starts with a heavy emphasis on word recognition and oral language skills and has led to improved literacy rates throughout the district. Learn more here.

WBLAHS grad Morgan (Bain) Hirsch was recently inducted into the Concordia College Hall Of Fame for her success on the soccer field. After graduating as a Cobber, she taught French for nearly nine years in France, Nigeria, North Dakota, Minnesota and Oregon before going back to school to earn a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health. She's now a certified professional therapist and trainer practicing in Bend, Or. Learn more about Hirsch and the other inductees here. 

Another White Bear grad is making waves for his impressive career on skis. Paul Chapin told the White Bear Press he was “literally born into water skiing” after his parents founded the Bald Eagle Waterski Club in 1953, the year he was born. Paul was a '71 graduate who competed on alpine ski team. His most recent accomplishment came last month when he traveled to Spain for the world meet placing third in the 70-plus Slalom competition.

Recently retired Director of Building Operations Dan Roeser was awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals conference last week for his outstanding dedication and commitment to educational facilities.

 Activities Updates

The Girls' Cross Country Team and the Boys' Cross Country Team both finished third in the SEC. Find highlights from the girls meet here and the boys meet here. The Girls Tennis Team wrapped up their season with a fourth place finish at Sections. Find additional details here. The Bears Football Team defeated Stillwater and Roseville in their most recent matchups. Read more highlights from the Homecoming victory over Roseville here. The walking track in the WBLAHS Field House is open to community members (for free) from 6-9 p.m. each week Monday-Thursday starting this week. Tickets for the WBLAHS Fall Musical, "Legally Blonde The Musical," are now available here. Shows will be performed at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15-16 and Nov. 21-23 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16. 

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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