Community e-Newsletter

September 14, 2025

In Photos: Welcome Back, Bears!

Thank you to those who participated in our #BackToSchoolBears fun for a chance to be highlighted in today's Community e-Newsletter! We hope everyone is having an amazing start to the 2025-26 school year.

Student News

Community Engagement

Two White Bear grads were recently inducted into the WBLAHS Athletic Hall of Fame - former NHL player and 2002 graduate Ryan Carter and former college basketball star and 1987 graduate Leigh Anderson. The newest members were honored during a ceremony at the August 29 home football game. Anderson was all-conference twice in basketball for the Bears and ran at the state track meet twice with the 4x800 relay. At Wisconsin-River Falls, she made all-conference three times, played in two NCAA Division III tournaments, and set team records for assists in a season and career. Anderson is currently a WBLAS staff member. Carter was a Mr. Hockey finalist with the Bears, was selected all-state twice for hockey, and made all-conference five times in track-and-field. After two years with Minnesota-Mankato, Carter had a 10-year career as a center in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks where he was a Stanley Cup champion in 2007. He also played for the Carolina Panthers, New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild. Currently he is a member of the Wild’s broadcast team.

Students, staff and community members are invited to take part in the annual Bear Bike Ride event on Sunday, September 21! The Community Education and Recreation event raises money for youth sports and activity scholarships. It starts at 9 a.m. at White Bear Lake Area High School. Registration is free but donations are welcomed! Information is available at the district’s website and in the most recent "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" video.

Families and community members are invited to enjoy Homecoming events the week of September 21 starting with the Homecoming Carnival! Attendees can enjoy a bounce house for all ages, carnival booths and prizes, live music, food and so much more! Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the event which is taking place from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21 at WBLAHS in the Bald Eagle Parking Lot near the Stadium. Looking for new or more Bear Wear apparel? Check out the online ROAR store to find a variety of clothing options for Bears of all ages! The store closes September 24.

During Homecoming Week, the WBLAHS Girls' Swim and Dive team is hosting a Youth Night! Join the swimmers and divers on the pool deck Thursday, September 24 at the White Bear YMCA at 5:30 p.m. before the meet starts at 6 p.m. to learn the team cheers, receive a temporary tattoo and help cheer on the Bears! Kids will also receive a free "chuck-a-duck" duck and will be entered into a t-shirt raffle. Learn more here!

During Homecoming Week, students, families and community members are invited to check out the completed construction projects at a Central Middle School Community Open House event that will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24.

Attendees will have an opportunity to check out the gymnasium addition and the building’s renovated spaces – including the expanded cafeteria, new Learning Commons and renovations made to the former District Center areas to return them to middle school spaces. Get a glimpse inside Central before the event by watching the Open House Invitation video! The renovations are part of the district-wide projects made possible by the community’s support of the 2019 Building Our Future bond referendum.

Guests packed into the Senior Center this week for a Grand Re-Opening event, getting a first-hand look at the new spaces, learning about the opportunities available through the program, and enjoying coffee and treats. The move from Normandy Park Education Center to the renovated Sunrise Park location was made possible by the community's support of the 2019 Building Our Future Bond Referendum.

New Opportunities

The district’s youngest bears, from birth through preschool, began their educational journeys this week. Students in the Early Childhood Program, with locations throughout the district, are creating lasting memories as they explore their classrooms, enjoy hands-on activities and make new friends. Watch the first day of school come to life in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Students at Vadnais Heights Elementary gathered for a BEARS Assembly to kick off the school year last week. Principal Svir, severall staff members and special helper, Bear, talked to the students about how the school community embodies the values of BEARS – Brave, Empathetic, Aware, Responsible, Safe – in everything they do.

Sixth grade band and orchestra students at Central Middle School took part in music tryouts. They had the opportunity to play different instruments including the trumpet, clarinet and cello. Their lesson was highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". With guidance from local professionals, students were able to find their perfect musical match for the school year.

Staff at the Transition Education Center participated in a professional learning session with NE Metro 916 specialists: MaeAnna Mitthun (Intervener), Tiffany Moore (Deaf-Hard of Hearing Teacher), and Cynthia Gjerde (Blind-Visually Impaired Teacher). During the training, staff deepened their understanding of blindness and hearing loss, as well as the important distinctions between the role of an intervener and that of a paraeducator. A highlight of the session was a guided simulation, where staff wore ear plugs, headphones, and eye masks to experience firsthand the challenges of navigating the school environment with vision and hearing impairments. This exercise emphasized the critical role that staff play in supporting students’ independence, access, and safety.

Students at Mariner Middle School are learning how to write lab reports while conducting exciting science experiments! They made film canisters pop and fly using antacid and water. Students tracked the process from start to finish and took notes on what worked and what they could have tried differently. Watch the exciting lesson in this recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

District Kudos

Otter Lake Elementary and Mariner Middle School are among just 13 schools statewide to be recognized as 2025-26 Minnesota Schools of Excellence by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association. White Bear Lake Area Schools is the only district in Minnesota to have more than one school earn this prestigious honor this year. Meanwhile, Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak's "Movers and Shakers" article was recently published in the White Bear Press.

WBLAHS Boys' Golf coach Craig Nasvik was recently inducted into the Minnesota High School Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The retired WBLAHS teacher has also coached the Girls Golf Team and the Wrestling Team. Read the full story from the White Bear Press here.

Outdoor Fun

Events were held last week for the two new completed playgrounds at Birch Lake and Otter Lake Elementaries! The inclusive equipment and spaces are making it possible for every student to enjoy playing outside on a variety of items together and more independently.

Our district staff members are amazing at sharing fun nature sightings around their buildings with our Communications Office! An eagle was spotted near our Normandy Park Education Center! And geese were seen checking out the newly renovated District Service Center at Sunrise Park!

Activities Updates

WBLAHS Boys' Golf coach Craig Nasvik was recently inducted into the Minnesota High School Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The Girls' Cross Country Team placed fourth of 16 teams at the Rochester Mayo Invitational. Read more about the meet here. At the same invite, the Boys' Cross Country Team placed seventh out of 18 teams. Individually, Max Popp placed third of 124 runners. Find more highlights here. The Girls' Tennis Team upset East Ridge 4-3. Learn more 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.

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

The 2025-26 School Board Student Representatives, senior Thomas Reese and junior Lillian Johnson, were inducted at the September School Board Regular Meeting.

September is School Board Recognition Month! It's always important to take the opportunity to thank School Board members for their service to students, families and community members. In celebration, Board members received a custom-made "Bearshey's Bar" at the meeting.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Past Meeting Highlights

Sept. 8 Regular Session

Aug. 25 Work Session

Aug. 11 Regular Session

School Board News stories

District News

General Information

Family Notices

ROAR Store Apparel - Looking for new or more Bear Wear apparel? Check out the online ROAR store to find a variety of clothing options for Bears of all ages! The store closes September 24.
Bear Bike Ride - Get ready to bike ride for a great cause! The Bear Bike Ride is happening on Sunday, September 21. Starting from White Bear Lake Area High School, choose from 9, 25, or 50-mile routes, plus a kids' ride around the middle school and high school campuses! Donations are welcomed but registration is free. All proceeds go directly to youth sports and activity scholarships, helping students with registration fees. Can't ride? You can still make a difference by donating! Register today or click here for additional details.
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

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 September:

September - Minnesota School Board Recognition Month
Sept. 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month begins
Sept. 21-27 - Homecoming week

Community Services

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.

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 Services & 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.