Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Deserving of Attention

Student News

Way to Represent

Members of the White Bear Lake Area Schools Senior Center gathered this summer for a Senior BBQ event. Members of the White Bear Lake Lions served as grillmasters while FirstLight HomeCare and other long-standing volunteers helped serve. Seniors enjoyed a nice lunch, and those who ate at the later seating time had the opportunity to be joined by middle school students who are in the FLEX Summer Program - a program designed to promote leadership, teamwork and youth voice through fun, activity-based learning experiences - for great conversations and a little card playing.

The White Bear Press recently featured the White Bear Lake Area Schools' production of “Grease," which was performed on the high school's Performing Arts Center stage in late-July. The author noted that the elements of the show are terrific, with the main highlight being the show’s cast and crew stacked with many students who have been honing their craft together since middle school.

WBLAHS students were also highlighted in a White Bear Press article about a local theatre production of "Disney’s Newsies" currently being performed at White Bear Lake Area High School's Performing Arts Center. The production is part of a Summerstock Intensive program meant to train young artists to be prepared and ready to walk into the regional and professional audition space.

The White Bear Township baseball team featured in a recent White Bear Press article has a roster filled with Bears. The seven new college players who were on the 2025 White Bear Baseball team includes: Owen Mortimer, Tyler Allshouse, Kevin Zollinger, Isaiah Weber, Jace Lombardi, Owen Farrington and Tyler Hilderman.

WBLAS Freedom School recently wrapped up for the summer. The program provides students an opportunity to explore how they can make a difference through literacy and education, social action and community engagement. During their finale showcase and Harambee, students performed songs for their families, enjoyed motivational activities and a video highlighting their experience.

Outstanding Accomplishments

A team from White Bear Lake Area High School is one of just nine groups from the Midwest who competed at the UW-Stout Fab Lab in the Make48 regional competition. The students had two days to brainstorm, design and build a physical prototype from scratch, pushing their creative and technical boundaries to the limit. The students took home Best Innovation accolades and earned a spot at Make48 Season 10 Nationals this September. See complete team information on the Make48 website. 

WBLAHS's Nash Roed and Rian Marquardt were two of 13 Minnesotans invited by USA Hockey to attend the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp in St. Paul. The 36 players who are participating are aiming to earn a spot on the final 23-player U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team that will compete at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Alberta. Roed was placed on the roster of the team that competed Aug. 3-8. See additional information in this Let's Play Hockey story. 

White Bear Lake Area High School graduate Ben Widmyer was recently highlighted in The Citizen for the publication of his debut novel, “The Knock That Never Ends.” In the interview, he talks about his inspiration for writing the story, the themes he wants writers to take away from the book, and plans he has in store for additional writing projects. Find additional details in the newspaper article.

Writing and friendships seem to be a strong theme with alumni, as another district grad was also recently highlighted for his authoring successes. Mariner High School grad Brian Lutterman participated in a Q&A with Press Publications that focused on his experience writing suspenseful mysteries with strong local roots, an idea sparked by his friend and high school classmate Fred Huebner.

The White Bear Press recently highlighted the success enjoyed by the district's Trap Team at the national tournament, as they placed 63rd of 258 teams. In the individual category, sixth-grader Grayson Schwab, who was competing against high school students, placed 69th of about 1800 entrants. The Bear's team has 60 team members total. The Trap Team was honored in the July Student Recognition Video that debuted at the July School Board meeting and was shared in July as a Community e-Newsletter Video Edition.

The Central Middle School Counseling team recently accepted their Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) recognition at the American School Counselor Association Annual Conference. Central is one of 12 schools in the state of Minnesota to earn the recognition this year, and one of 37 middle schools nationwide to earn the recognition this year.

Prepping for 2026-27

We have been busy this summer working on a website refresh that launched last week. Families and community members can find important district updates, highlights and information about upcoming events at the site - which remains www.isd624.org. As we transitioned content from our previous site, we updated some pages to better align with website best practices, accessibility standards, and a consistent look and feel across the district. Those who notice something that could be improved or have a suggestion to share are invited to let us know using this form to help us continue making the website better for everyone!

The website also features a Back to School page to help families and students navigate the beginning of the school year. Find important reminders and information about first days of school, school supply lists and transportation. As we prepare for the new school year, please take a moment to log in to ParentVUE and complete the Online Annual Family Update using these instructions. It is essential that schools have accurate and up-to-date information for every student. We are excited to welcome Bears back for the 2026-27 school year!

A kick-start to the school year each August is the opening of the Community Education and Recreation's Fall class registration. Bears of all ages can now find a variety of opportunities to stay busy and keep learning at the online registration site. Puruse from a listing that includes adult enrichment and recreation, senior programs, youth enrichment, development and recreation, middle school athletics, Early Childhood programs, Bear Adventure Club (formerly Extended Day programming) and more!

The district's renovated Sunrise Park location was recently highlighted by "American School & University," an online magazine featuring education facilities, design, construction and business. This fall, the Early Childhood and Transition Education Center programs will join District Service Center and the Senior Center at the Cedar Avenue location. See the AS&U highlight. The spaces will be celebrated at a community open house that will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7. Additional event details will be shared in September.

Activities Updates

The WBLAHS Activities page has gotten a refresh along with the district's website refresh. Check out the site to find activities highlights and listings, fan zone and registration information, and resources. The page also contains quick links to the competition schedule, the Hall of Fame, physical forms, the spirit store and ticketing.

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. 

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.

Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7695) to submit Student News for inclusion in future publications. 

School Board News

School Board Election Information

Four School Board seats will be on the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election ballot. Find additional information at the School Board Election Information page of the website.

District News

General Information