Community e-Newsletter

December 7, 2025

Calling all incoming 2026-27 kindergarten Bears!

In December, we will be sending kindergarten registration information out to families with children who will begin kindergarten in the fall of 2026. If you have a child who will begin kindergarten next fall, please provide the information requested in this form so we can send you incoming kindergarten information that will be mailed to families. Thank you for helping us make sure we are appropriately welcoming all of our incoming Bears!

Make sure your name is on the mailing list!

Mark your calendar - on Dec. 15 Fall 2026 Kindergarten Enrollment Opens

In Photos: Hands-on Learning Experiences

photo collage of WBLAS students and staff enjoying various activities

Student News

Exciting Honors

More than 50 high school students were celebrated last week during a Pinning Ceremony for completing the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program within the Health and Wellness Career Pathway program. Through hard work both in the classroom and during hands-on clinical experiences, these students gained a valuable credential in the field of healthcare and toward their future careers. Their ceremony was highlighted in a recent video issue if "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

a teacher speaks into a microphone in front of a large group and a student shakes an adults hand

Otter Lake Elementary Principal Ang Nelson received a top honor from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA). She was named this year’s East Suburban Division Leadership Award winner. Read the full press release here.

Former White Bear Lake youth hockey player Melissa Doyle will referee for the 2026 Olympics in Italy. The White Bear Press recently highlighted her career on the ice from player to official. She has been a ref for 18 years coaching at all levels from youth, to college, to the Women's Professional Hockey League (WPHL) and she spent several years refereeing internationally.

The White Bear Press recently highlighted elementary school teachers who received Ryan Family Art Grants from the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF). Also in the White Bear Press, Central Middle School student Kaiden Schreiner was named an Emerging Artist for his adaptable acting abilities and recent role in the Children's Theater Company's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

photos of groups of people and a screenshot of an article

The high school’s fall musical, “Cinderella,” recently heard word that they received multiple accolades through the Hennepin Arts Spotlight Awards program. As part of that recognition, the cast and members of the crew and pit orchestra will have the opportunity to perform on the State Theatre stage in June. The award of "Outstanding" was given in the following categories: Achievement in Musical Theatre, Overall Technical Production, Overall Performance, Ensemble Performance, Ensemble Dance Performance, Ensemble Vocal Performance, Student Orchestra and Run Crew. Individual students received numerous outstanding and honorable mention honors. See the complete listing of awards here.

This year’s musical was attended by 4000 students, staff, family and community members over the course of its performances. This is the highest attendance we’ve ever had for a fall musical, and it was made possible by the new 845-seat Performing Arts Center addition at the high school. The community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum continues to benefit our students in countless ways.

list of Spotlight Awards and image of Cinderella musical being performed

Connections and Collaboration

Oneka Elementary students and staff enjoyed a special performance from the bluegrass music ensemble group: Steam Machine. The trio of musicians explained a brief history of bluegrass styled music, played several songs, and took time to explain each of their instruments (fiddle, guitar and banjo) and the different roles each brings to the group. They also demonstrated the style of dance that goes along with bluegrass music (typically square dance) and taught the whole school some simple stepping and clapping beats.

Bluegrass group Steam Machine performs for students

Third graders at Birch Lake Elementary started their unit on light and sound. For this activity, students used tuning forks to see vibrations in different environments. They tested this by hitting the fork on different objects, like a table, then putting it in water. Students also shared their observations with classmates. Watch their lesson come to life in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

elementary students hold tuning forks over a bucket of water

Mariner Middle School students in French class played a strategy game where they could also practice their jungle creatures vocabulary words. Everyone sat in a circle and two students were selected to be the tigers. Their goal was to eliminate the entire class before anyone could figure out it was them. Students had so much fun guessing and using their speech skills to figure out who were the tigers.

group of middle school students sit on the floor in a circle while their teacher calls on them to answer a question

North Star Elementary students and staff enjoyed taking part in Market Day! The fun, engaging project builds financial literacy, creativity, and confidence all while letting students experience what it’s like to be an entrepreneur for a day!

student holding fake money, a table with items on it and two people smiling

Students in the Explorations Program at Lincoln Elementary are putting the scientific method into action! They investigated different forces of motions then tested their research with an experiment that was captured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". Students used magnets to make a paper clip float in the air using balanced forces and predicted if different objects would make a magnetic force happen.

two girls hold magnets and a paper clip for a science experiment

Spreading Kindness

Three Vadnais Heights Elementary teachers spread Bear cheer and spirit during a recent visit to New York City! Mrs. Haley, Mrs. Jensen and Ms. O'Donovan gave a shout out to Vadnais Heights Elementary while standing outside where The Today Show is broadcasted.

there adults holding Go Bears sign outside

Central Middle School eighth grade WEB leaders (where everyone belongs) organized and led a fun Thanksgiving themed game for sixth graders focused on the importance of team work. They were split into groups and had to solve a puzzle where all the words were spelt out using emojis. Throughout the year, WEB leaders gather with sixth graders to provide meaningful connections and support.

girl in a green shirt talks to another girl

Otter Lake Elementary Student Ambassadors spent time shopping for families in need. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, staff and Otter Lake families, students raised money to shop for toys to donate to the White Bear Lake Lions Club Toy Shelf. The group split up and shopped for a specific age group, working together to pick out the perfect toys!

elementary students hold up toys and clothes in a store

Community Engagement

The WBLAHS Gymnastics Team is hosting a Youth Night during their home meet on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Come check out the team's new space at District Service Center (2399 Cedar Ave.) All youth (0-12) will receive free entry. There will be prizes and fun activities. The meet starts at 6:30 p.m. but all participants can march in with the team at 6:15 p.m.

flyer for a gymnastics youth night event

White Bear Lake Area High School is housing the White Bear Lake Winter Farmers Market. Stop by for locally grown produce and products, food trucks and more! Each market runs from 9 a.m - 1 p.m. and are taking place on December 13, January 10 and February 14. Find additional information here.

Activities Updates

The Boys' Wrestling Team placed sixth of eight teams at the Tonka Turkey Tussie to open the season. Individually, Muayeng Lee and Donovan Wolfgram each placed second in their respect classes. Jake Simpkins placed third. A choir concert is taking place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9 and a combined middle school and high school orchestra concert is happening at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 both in the PAC. The Gymnastics Team is hosting a Youth Night during their home meet on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Find additional details here. The Girls' Hockey Team defeated South St. Paul in a recent matchup. Find game highlights here. The Boys' Hockey Team also took home a win against Mounds View 8-2. Find more details here.

Hudl Ticketing is the exclusive provider of online tickets for all of our White Bear Lake Area High School home regular season athletic ticketing needs. Find games and purchase tickets 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.

School Board News

Academic Calendars

At the November 10, 2025 Regular School Board Meeting, the White Bear Lake Area School Board approved the following calendars:

Both approved calendars include start dates prior to Labor Day, which falls later than usual in both 2026 and 2027. The earlier start provides several benefits, including four instructional days before Labor Day with a four-day holiday weekend, and an earlier end to the school year – June 4, 2027, and June 2, 2028 – rather than mid-June.

In addition to the calendar shift, the late-August start allows for more instructional time before state testing and better alignment of trimester transitions with natural breaks, reducing interruptions in learning. It also allows for better scheduling for extended school year programs for students with special needs and staff.

The approved calendars are available on the district’s website at isd624.org/about/calendar.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Past Meeting Highlights

Nov. 24 Work Session

Nov. 10 Regular Session

Oct. 27 Work Session

School Board News stories

District News

General Information

Family Notices

New Registration System for Community Education & Recreation - As of December 1, registrations for White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Education & Recreation programs have moved to Arux, our new and improved system for account management, payments, and enrollment. Be sure to save our new web address: whitebear.arux.app. Find additional details here.
Academic Calendars - At the November 10, 2025 Regular School Board Meeting, the White Bear Lake Area School Board approved the following calendars. More information on the decision can be found in this news story.
- 2026-27 Academic Calendar
- 2027-28 Academic Calendar
ParentSquare "Digest" settings - Are you overwhelmed with the number of emails, texts and app notifications you are getting from ParentSquare? Set your notifications to Digest and you will receive one email and/or one text and/or one app notification providing access to all ParentSquare information at the end of the day. Note: If you receive notifications by email, you'll receive a daily digest email from your district and schools separately if there are posts that day.
- Set Your Notification Method in a Web Browser:
  - Go to www.parentsquare.com and log in.
  - Click your name in the upper right and select Manage Account.
  - Click Notification Settings.
  - Select Off, Instant or Digest for each type of notification (Email, Text, App), and for each school or district if there is more than one.
- See a video outlining this information here.
Bear Boards and More! - Bear Boards and More is now taking orders! The student-operated business based at the Transition Education Center, specializes in customized cutting boards and tumblers. Check out the links below to view some examples of finished products and to place an order.
- Examples of Cutting Boards
- Examples of Tumblers
- Cutting Board Order Form
- Tumbler Order Form
Calling all incoming 2026-27 kindergarten Bears! - In December, we will send kindergarten registration information out to families with children who will begin kindergarten in the fall of 2026. If you have a child who will begin kindergarten next fall, please complete this form so we can send you incoming kindergarten information that will be mailed to families. If you know of others who have incoming kindergarten students, please pass the link to the form along to them as well. Thank you for helping us make sure we are appropriately welcoming all of our incoming Bears!
Application for Educational Benefits - Has Your Family’s Income Recently Changed? Many families are feeling the impact of furloughs, job losses, reduced federal contracts, or cuts to SNAP (food assistance) funding as a result of the federal government shutdown. Families can apply or re-apply for educational benefits at any time during the school year.
While school meals are free in Minnesota, educational benefits may help qualify your family for discounts and reduced fees on:
- Sports and Activity Fees
- College Application Fees
- Driver's Training
- Internet Access and Utility Bills
- AP Test Registration Fees and more!
  Apply today! Visit the Educational Benefits page of our website or contact nutritionservices@isd624.org for more information.
Emergency School Closings - If winter weather is so severe that schools need to close, families will be alerted in three ways as soon as a decision is made:
- A phone message and email will be sent to all guardians. A text message will be sent to those with texting capabilities.
- A message will be posted on the homepage of www.isd624.org.
- Messages will be posted on the District's Facebook and Instagram pages.
- Information will also be available on local media outlets.
  Make sure you don’t miss the call. If you’ve had a recent change in your email or phone number, contact your child’s school to provide the updated information.
  Find complete information here.
Volunteers Needed - White Bear Lake Area High School is looking for Test Drive Event volunteers! After a successful inaugural event last year, the high school team is planning the “2025 Test Drive...Next Stop Reality” event for this year’s Junior class. Students will go through different stations and make important decisions in categories such as housing, utilities, transportation, childcare, insurance, and food. The team is looking for approximately 200 volunteers to make the December 17 event a success. Sign up to volunteer on the district’s website at www.isd624.org.
Quarter-Century of Finance Awards for White Bear Lake Area Schools - White Bear Lake Area Schools has once again earned top honors for financial reporting, marking the 25th consecutive year the district has received both the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting. See the press release here.
2026-27 FAFSA Form is Live – Don’t Miss Out on Aid! - The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now open at fafsa.gov. Completing the FAFSA form is a key to accessing federal, state, and institutional financial aid that can help cover the cost of college or career training. We strongly encourage all students to complete the form as soon as possible. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of maximizing aid. If you need help or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor or college advisor.
Winter Farmers Market - The White Bear Lake Winter Farmers Market is moving from its location at Normandy Park to White Bear Lake Area High School. Stop by for locally grown produce and products, food trucks and more! Each market runs from 9 a.m - 1 p.m. and are taking place on December 13, January 10 and February 14. Find additional information here.
Screen at Three - The District's Early Childhood Program has free "Screen at Three" screening dates available this spring and summer. This important step is required for all children and supports readiness for kindergarten while promoting health and development. Find additional information in this Screening flyer.
Educational Benefits Application - The Educational Benefits Application may help your student qualify for benefits including reduced sports/activity fees, discounted internet access, discounted AP test registration fees and college application fees! Also, applications help our school receive extra state and federal funding.publications. Find complete information here.
Bear Care Clinic - The Bear Care Health and Wellness Clinic is located at WBLAHS but available to all district families. Find more information about their services and to make an appointment here.
Receiving district messages - District-level emails are being sent from the communications@isd624.org email address. If you are not receiving emails from this account, it is possible that the email address is currently blocked in your email account. Find instructions to unblock the communications@isd624.org email address in different email platforms here.
Requesting an interpreter - Find more information about requesting a call with an interpreter in the language your family speaks.
We Are Hiring! - White Bear Lake Area Schools is hiring for a variety of positions, offering both school-day and out-of-school-time hours. Full- and part-time options are available, and many positions offer flexible hours if needed to accommodate family schedules. The district is seeking paraprofessionals, community services and recreation staff and coaches, and more. Find the online application page here.
Stay connected! - Join White Bear Lake Area Schools' social media circles - Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
School Linked Mental Health Services - Find information about School Linked Mental Health Services available to our families here.
Support Hub - The District's Support Hub provides families with resources to address barriers & enhance well-being. This comprehensive resource gives families and community members access to information for essential services including crisis response, basic needs, mental health and wellbeing, physical health, social emotional learning and more.
Calling all baby models - We're looking for "Born to be a Bear" photos! Email photos to us here and you may find your little one featured in District publications!
Spring MCA Results - Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) results were released last week. Overall, White Bear Lake Area Schools scores remain above statewide proficiency levels in reading and math. See the District News post here.
MDH Radon Poster Contest - The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is hosting the 2025 Radon Poster Contest! Students in grades 4-8 can submit posters now through Friday, Nov. 14. This is a great way for kids to get creative and learn about radon. Find contest rules, prizes and how to submit here.
DHS Announcement: Re-Enrolling in Health Care Coverage - The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that the Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare (Medicaid eligibility) renewals, which were paused post-pandemic, are now restarting the final timeline for annual renewals in public health care programs. View the full timeline. Please visit DHS's Renew My Coverage communications toolkit for resources in multiple languages.

Awards and Honors

Otter Lake Elementary Principal receives division leadership award - Otter Lake Elementary Principal Ang Nelson received a top honor from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA). She was named this year’s East Suburban Division Leadership Award winner. Read the full press release here.

Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7578) to submit District News, General Information, Opportunities or Awards & Honors for inclusion in future publications.

Recognitions - The following school- and employee-related recognition days are happening in December:

Dec. 24-Jan. 2 - Winter Break

Community Education

The WBLAS Community Education and Recreation Department provides a wide range of services and opportunities that enhance the quality of life for all members of ISD 624.

New Registration System for Community Education & Recreation - As of December 1, registrations for White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Education & Recreation programs have moved to Arux, our new and improved system for account management, payments, and enrollment. Be sure to save our new web address: whitebear.arux.app. Find additional details here.
Seasonal Catalogs - Seasonal catalogs, with multiple opportunities for community members of all ages, can be found here!
Digital Backpack - The Community Education Department distributes electronic flyers on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Flyers include announcements from the school district, as well as local organizations. Those who wish to request distribution of a flyer should email the files to Director Tim Maurer at tim.maurer@isd624.org.
Senior Program
- We've Moved! - The Senior Center is now located at District Service Center offices at Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
- Check out the latest edition of The Voice.
- Resources Guides - View our updated Resource Guides: Senior Services and senior housing; The Directory.
- Community Bridge - Check out opportunities here. The Community Bridge Consortium is an adults with cognitive disabilities program supported by the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, South Washington County, Roseville, White Bear and Mahtomedi School Districts.

Senior Program Updates

The White Bear Area Senior Center is a program of the White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Education & Recreation Department.

We've Moved! - The Senior Center is now located at District Service Center offices at Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
The Voice - Stay informed about the latest community offerings for seniors in the community through The Voice.
Resources Guides - View our updated Resource Guides: Senior Services and senior housing; The Directory.
FREE Activity Pass for Senior Community Members (age 65+) - White Bear Lake Area Schools offer a variety of activities - home athletic contests, concerts, and theater productions to name a few. Join us! Please fill out this application and you will be sent the pass in the US Mail. If you have questions, please contact Rachael Markuson at 651-407-7563 or rachael.markuson@isd624.org.
Be a Bear! The district currently has many staff openings available! Find the online application page here.

Support WBLAS Students

The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation (WBLAEF) is an independent, non-profit corporation promoting excellence in education in White Bear Lake Area School District 624 schools.

The Closet at Sunrise - The Closet is open and available to all students and families in need. Clothing, jackets, shoes, etc. Families need to connect to a building social worker, psychologist, nurse, or principal who can assist the family! As a reminder, the Closet has moved to the new District Center at Sunrise Park: 2399 Cedar Ave. Find additional information here.

Be a Bear! - White Bear Lake Area Schools is hiring for a variety of positions, offering both school-day and out-of-school-time hours. Full- and part-time options are available, and many positions offer flexible hours if needed to accommodate family schedules. The district is seeking paraprofessionals, community services and recreation staff and coaches, and more. Find the online application page here.