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In Photos: Learning in Action

Student News

Hands-on Learning 

Fourth graders at Birch Lake Elementary worked on their Amplify Science unit centered around balancing forces. The lesson was captured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". Students tested how many different forces they could use to create a chain reaction. The lesson taught students how one force from an object can put other objects in motion.

High school chemistry students built quantum mechanical models of an atom. They used various materials to represent the nucleus, electrons, protons, neutrons and different orbitals. Students had fun assembling this project, which they say helped them develop a greater understanding of the structure of an atom. See their models come to life in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Our high school Aviation & Aerospace class visited the Anoka County Blaine Airport on a field trip earlier this month. While there, students and staff toured Twin Cities Flight School and had the opportunity to climb into their training Cessnas, Malibu Aerospace (aviation mechanics), Flywell Flying Club Hangar (to see what it means to be a part of a general aviation flying club and climb into more planes), Atlantic Aviation (a Fixed Base Operator that provides services such as fueling and hangar space - a concierge service for private operations), LifeLink (we saw their air ambulance helicopter and plane), and ATP Flight School (information about their accelerated flight school program). 

Kindergartners in the Spanish Immersion program at Matoska International are having so much fun learning and growing together! Students worked on their reading and writing skills by enunciating different letters and identifying words that start with the sound of those letters. They also enjoyed group time where they explored the five approaches to learning: thinking, communication, research, self-management and social. Their classroom lessons were highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Spreading Kindness

Students at the high school are implementing a kindness program, distributing Kind Lips Chapstick during the lunch hours to represent speaking kindness and being kind. Next Wednesday, Oct. 22, students will wear orange and sign a "Choose Kindness" banner in honor of Unity Day.

Students in our Transition Education programs helped pack meals for the KID Pack Program, a partnership between the district and White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf. Their efforts, which were captured in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds", will help provide students at our nine elementary schools with a weekend’s worth of meals to take home.

Community Engagement

Vadnais Heights Elementary Extended Day students were on-hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony with local city leaders to celebrate improvements and safety enhancements to the Koehler Road Trail, which is adjacent to Vadnais Heights Elementary. The exciting event was highlighted in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". The project was made possible through Safe Routes to School funding.

The Nutrition Services management team toured Rancher’s Legacy, a premium Midwestern meat processing facility located in Vadnais Heights. Nutrition Services is proud to start a partnership with the company, aimed at bringing high-quality, locally sourced meats to our school menus. The collaboration kicks off with Minnesota-sourced all-beef meatballs, debuting at White Bear Lake Area High School on October 22!

Students, families and staff spent an evening taking part in fun activities at the Area Learning Center during Family Night! Attendees focused in on several exciting rounds of bingo, walked the halls, enjoyed lively conversations and a great meal!

Enjoying the Outdoors

Preschool students at Oneka Elementary visited Tamarack Nature Center for an exciting lesson! Students and staff observed DNR officials as they completed a fish survey. Students listened while different species of fish were identified and counted along with a few turtles!

High school students who are members of the Ambassadors group were spreading encouragement, hard work and energy to a water stop at mile 17 of the Twin Cities Marathon. This is the 20th year the student group has volunteered to pass out water cups to marathon runners! 

Middle School sports teams are wrapping up their fall seasons as the leaves begin to turn. Students have enjoyed kicking soccer balls, swinging their rackets, bumping the ball over the net, and more. Their final few practices were captured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". These middle school activities are made possible through the district’s Community Education Department.

Bears in the News

Braylon Lane, who is involved with the WBLAHS's Theatre Guild as one of three advisors alongside Wendy Suoja and Anna Haselmann, was recently highlighted in the Arts and Culture section of White Bear Press. Read the full article here. In other high school news, WBLAHS Principal Russ Reetz was featured in a Mpls. St.Paul Magazine article about college.

The high school's Soccer Team's 60th anniversary was recently covered by the White Bear Press in an article that highlighted German teacher Wolf Kraft's efforts to start a team in 1965, when the school was one of just eight in the state - and one of three public schools - to have a team. Kraft told the paper, he used several resources including other coaches and film of the sport to introduce and excite students. 80 high schoolers tried out for soccer during its inaugural year. The team finished 4-7-1. 

 Activities Updates

The Girls Soccer Team advanced to the Section semifinals game after defeating St. Paul Central 7-1. Find game highlights here. The Boys Soccer Team wrapped up their season in the first round of Section play with a very close game against Stillwater. Find game and season highlights here. The Girls Volleyball Team won two of five matches in the Twin Cities Challenge in Burnsville. Read more here. The Girls Cross Country Team placed 10th of 20 teams in the 52nd annual Alexandria Meet of Champions. Read more here. At the same meet, the Boys Cross Country Team placed 10th of 22 teams with Max Popp placing fifth overall. Find additional meet details here.

Hudl Ticketing will be the exclusive provider of online tickets for all of your 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.

In order to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and organized experience for all attendees, we are implementing new expectations for middle school student attendance at home football games. Read about the expectations 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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