Community e-Newsletter

July 12, 2026

Minor changes to start and dismissal times at secondary level

Minor changes to start and dismissal time changes for the district’s middle schools and White Bear Lake Area High School will be implemented in the fall of 2026-27. The changes will allow the district’s transportation system to run more efficiently and to avoid transportation-related delays and disruptions.

The school hours for 2026-27 will be:

Middle Schools - 9:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WBLAHS - 8:20 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.

The start and dismissal times for WBLAHS - Manitou Campus, formerly the Area Learning Center, will remain 8:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Elementary school start and dismissal times will also remain unchanged: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Matoska International, and 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. at all other elementary schools.

In Photos: Summer Fun!

photo collage of white bear lake area school students and staff enjoying various activities

Student News

Bears in the News

At the June School Board meeting, Associate Principal Jenni Sjosten shared an update on the district’s former Area Learning Center, which has been officially recognized by the Minnesota Department of Education as an Alternative Learning Program (ALP). As a program of White Bear Lake Area High School, this transition creates even stronger opportunities for collaboration with WBLAHS while deepening the program’s connection to the White Bear community. As part of this transition, the program has been renamed “WBLAHS - Manitou Campus.” Find more information in this New Story.

drawing of White Bear Lake Area High School - Manitou Campus monument sign

The White Bear Press recently recognized White Bear Lake Area High School's graduating class and the top academic achievers. Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2026!

screenshot of a group of high school senior head shots congratulating them on being top academic achievers

The White Bear Press recently published the Manitou Days Writing Contest winning entries from: Radley Richardson, a third grader at Vadnais Heights Elementary; Mattie Ann Gunderson; a fifth grader at North Star Elementary; Sophia Jones, an eighth grader at Central Middle School; and Rafferty Richardson; a sixth grader at Mariner Middle School.

four headshots of white bear lake area schools students holding certificates

The district also enjoys another connection to the City of White Bear Lake's Manitou Days celebrations by way of a community search that happens each year.

White Bear Lake Area Schools student Jovie and her mom Jess were the 2026 finders of the Manitou Days Medallion Hunt! They discovered the medallion in a groove of tree bark at Garden Creek Park in White Bear Township.

a young girl and her mom stand together holding a leather medallion

Two 2026 White Bear Lake Area High School grads were recognized by the White Bear Press as Emerging Artists. Ryley Oswald was highlighted for her work with clay. During the White Bear Center for the Arts’ Vision and Verse competition, Oswald’s “Scylla’s Wrath” - which depicts a scene from “The Odyssey” - won the Minnesota College of Art and Design Pre-College Scholarship Award. Meanwhile Lydia Jersak was highlighted for her impressive stage presence and the journey she embarked on to find her voice in theatre. Jersak also appeared in Children’s Performing Arts’ summer musical “Newsies,” and will attend Century College’s theater program in the fall.

screenshots of two articles highlighting young adults and their creative talents

Ryan Carter's journey to the White Bear Lake Area High School Girls' Hockey Coach position was recently highlighted by the Star Tribune. Carter helped WBLAHS reach the 2001 state high school hockey tournament. His impressive NHL career spans from 2006-2017 playing for several teams including the Anaheim Ducks when the team won the Stanley Cup in 2007.

screenshot of an article about Ryan Carter the new Head Coach of the WBLAHS Girls' Hockey Team

The White Bear Lake Area High School Trap & Skeet team wrapped up their season. Congratulations to all student-athletes who competed in various State tournaments at the end of June and to the seven team members who competed at the USAHSCTL National Championship this past weekend in Mason, Michigan.

large group photo of a high school trap and skeet team

Community Engagement

We had so much fun seeing students, families and community members who stopped by 4th street during the White Bear Lake Area Schools Spirit Night at Marketfest, visiting the various district and student-led booths and participating in the "Orange Out" photo! Stop by our orange tent (on 3rd street) for temporary tattoos, pencils and conversation during the summertime event in downtown White Bear Lake on July 16, 23 and 30!

photo collage of white bear lake area schools students, staff and community members at Marketfest

We are continuing to hire for the 2026-27 school year. We need substitute teachers, bus drivers, paraeducators, student support staff and more! We offer competitive wages, flexible work hours, and a chance to make a difference for kids in our community. Find job postings on the website under Employment.

Taking Center Stage

White Bear Lake Area High School student Mallory Clem was recently highlighted in a White Bear Press article for her role as Ariel in the Children's Performing Arts' production of Disney's The Little Mermaid which wrapped up last month. Mallory told the paper, she incorporated some of the experiences she learned as a lifeguard into this role especially when it came to mimicking movements through the water.

screenshot of an article about a children's theatre company

2026 graduates Lucas Maahs, Ethan Christensen and Holly Flood were recently highlighted in the June issue Hugo Neighbors magazine cover story. The three, who grew up performing with one another, shared insights and appreciations in the write-up.

screenshot of a magazine cover featuring three high school grads standing on a bridge

Come enjoy the perfect sing-a-long of the summer as the White Bear Lake Area Schools Summer Community Theatre presents: "Grease". Show times are 7 p.m. July 23-25 and 2 p.m. on July 26 at the WBLAHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased online.

Exciting Moments

District students Gabe Gutierrez and Chris McCray, who finished fifth grade at Willow Lane Elementary this spring, have been named 2026 Minnow Tank Effect Scholarship winners for consistently demonstrating the Minnow Tank values of perseverance, service to others, gratitude and teamwork. In addition to receiving a college scholarship, each student has been paired with a mentor who will guide, support, and encourage them throughout the next seven years as they work toward high school graduation.

two groups of people standing together in an office surrounded by balloons

Students at Otter Lake Elementary had the chance to interact with Tori’s Precious Pets. They were given the opportunity to meet, pet, and observe a variety of animals, including tortoises, a bearded dragon, a chinchilla and more! These animal-assisted activities offer great benefits, including reducing stress, fostering positive emotions, and encouraging responsibility, patience, and empathy. Interacting with animals also helps students build self-confidence and practice important social skills, making it an enriching experience for all.

two elementary students touch a bearded dragon

WBLAS retiree Chris Quinn was recently featured in a White Bear Press article that highlights her 20-year teaching career and her ongoing connection to the district as a substitute teaching alongside her volunteer role with nonprofit organization Bear Boating.

screenshot of an article about a retired teacher

Activities Updates

Ryan Carter's journey to the White Bear Lake Area High School Girls' Hockey Coach position was recently highlighted by the Star Tribune. Fall Sports registration opens Monday, July 20. Find additional information on the Activities webpage.

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

Upcoming School Board Meetings

Past Meeting Highlights

Jun. 8 Regular Session

May 18 Work Session

May 11 Regular Session

District News

General Information

Family Notices

Free Summer Meals - Free Summer Meals are available for kids and teens age 18 and younger at four district locations: Area Learning Center, Central Middle School, Transition Education Center and Willow Lane Elementary. There is no enrollment and no cost. The healthy meals are based on USDA nutrition guidelines. For serving times and additional sites around the state visit: www.summereatsmn.org or download the Free Meals for Kids app.
June 25 Spirit Night - Mark your calendar to stop by the district's Spirit Night at Marketfest on June 25 in White Bear Lake when we fill 4th Street with activities and student groups. AND - wear orange and join us for an "Orange Out" photo at 6:30 p.m. that evening.
Meal Account Balance Refunds and Transfers - Funds remaining in your student's account at the end of each school year will roll over to the next school year. If your student is graduating or moving out of the district please complete the Request for Refund form. If you would like money transferred to a sibling, please indicate so on the form. Requests can also be made through paper copies of the form.
2025 WBLAHS Graduation Rate - White Bear Lake Area High School's 2025 graduation rate is the highest in the area. The 2025 reported graduation rate at WBLAHS is 97.32%, topping the state rate by 12.38 percentage points and increasing by 0.80 percentage points from last year, according to data released today by MDE. This rate surpasses all neighboring districts – and even those traditionally ranked among the highest in the Twin Cities.
ParentVUE app - Synergy has a new StudentVUE and ParentVUE app available. Parents may get the message below when using the ParentVUE app on their phones. We added instructions for using the new app on the ParentVUE page on our website. The current StudentVUE and ParentVUE apps will be deprovisioned over the summer.
Calling all incoming 2026-27 kindergarten Bears! - Registration is open for students entering kindergarten in Fall 2026! White Bear Lake Area Schools offers strong neighborhood school programs, and district-wide options for International Baccalaureate (IB) and Elementary Spanish Dual Immersion.
2026-27 Preschool Registration - Registration for the district's 2026-27 preschool programs are open! We offer a safe and nurturing environment for a child’s first school experience away from home in our four star (highest possible rating) Parent Aware rated programs! Find more information on the Early Childhood page of the website.
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.
2025 Annual Update - The 2025 Annual Update electronic was published on the district's website in December and is available in print at district buildings!
2025 Building Our Future Video - The 2025 update of the district’s Building Our Future facilities projects – made possible by our community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum – is now available on the district’s YouTube channel. This marks our sixth annual video update to the school community. This year’s video highlights work completed last summer at our middle schools and showcases ongoing construction that will allow the Early Childhood and Transition Education Centers to be housed at Sunrise Park beginning in Fall 2026.
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.
- Watch an explanation video outlining this information and more.
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.
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 this press release for more information.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 and you may find your little one featured in District publications!
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

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.

Community Education and Recreation Summer Catalog - The Summer 2026 Community Education Catalog is now available. The catalog highlights enrichment and recreation opportunities available for all ages. It also includes Bear’s Bulletin, which covers district news and updates.
Senior Center Summer Location - Due to parking lot construction at Sunrise Park, the Senior Center will be temporarily relocating this summer. Our temporary location will be the Normandy Park Education Center (2484 East County Rd F, White Bear Lake, MN 55110), from June 16 through August 19. Please note the Senior Center will be closed for moving on August 20 and 21. We look forward to welcoming you back to Sunrise Park in late August with improved parking!
2026-27 Preschool Registration - Registration for the district's 2026-27 preschool programs is open! We offer a safe and nurturing environment for a child’s first school experience away from home in our four star (highest possible rating) Parent Aware rated programs! Find more information on the Early Childhood page of the website.
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 - Enjoy seasonal catalogs, with multiple opportunities for community members of all ages!
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 Michelle Hubbard Maurer a michelle.hubbard @isd624.org.
Senior Program
- 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.

Senior Center Summer Location - Due to parking lot construction at Sunrise Park, the Senior Center will be temporarily relocating this summer. Our temporary location will be the Normandy Park Education Center (2484 East County Rd F, White Bear Lake, MN 55110), from June 16 through August 19. Please note the Senior Center will be closed for moving on August 20 and 21. We look forward to welcoming you back to Sunrise Park in late August with improved parking!
The Voice - Stay informed about the latest community offerings for seniors in the community through The Voice.
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.
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.

Partnership Updates

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.
- We are Hiring! - White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation is now hiring for a part time office administrator. Learn more: https://www.wblaef.org/career.
Bear Care
- The Bear Care Health and Wellness Clinic is located at WBLAHS but available to all district families. The clinic also offers Nutrition Counseling. See a flyer for this new service here.

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

ISD 624 does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. Complete information in SB Policy 522.

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