Community e-Newsletter

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 2026-27 school year!

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Student News

Art in our midst

The district’s Alternative Learning Program has started the year with a new name - White Bear Lake Area High School - Manitou Campus - and with projects that fill the hallways with inspiration. Students contributed to a wall display highlighting the students’ qualities that make them proud, and a nearby art installation represents that number of credits earned by Manitou Campus students. See the displays in last week's issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Hands-on art projects have seen time in the spotlight. Transition Education Center's Bear Boards and More program was featured in a shout-out on CNN 10 as the school year began. See the highlight in this CNN 10 video. Through the Bear Board and More initiative, students learn the essentials of running a school-based business including topics like supply and demand, profit and loss statements, design and production, customer service, and more. Additional information can be found on the Bear Boards and More page of the TEC website.

Last week, eighth grade students at Central Middle School worked on banners to display their Bear Pride in their art class. After they talked through the collaborative assignment as a class, the young artists worked together in groups to plan their design and create their masterpieces. The banners will be displayed in the school and may be used in the Homecoming Parade in October. Footage of the activity can be seen in the most recent issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Community Ed & Rec excitement

The district’s youngest Bears, from birth through pre-K, began their educational journeys this week. Students in the program, with preschool and Early Childhood Family Education locations throughout the district, are creating lasting memories as they explore their classrooms, enjoy hands-on activities and make new friends. Information about these important district programs are available at the district's Early Childhood Program website. Early Childhood happenings were highlighted in this week's issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds." 

The Hippodrome, an important community landmark that has been in existence for a century, will soon be being honored with a fun, family-friendly event from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. During the celebration of the Hippodrome's 100 years, the historic rink will be available for Open Skating and on-ice activities. Food will also be available at the White Bear Hockey Concession stand during the festivities. A special apparel sale of 100 Years of the Hipp items is also now open.

The Community Ed & Rec team is offering families a special Homecoming Week kick-off with the 2026 Bear Bike Ride! Gear up for a fun-filled family afternoon supporting a great cause! Join us on Oct. 4 for the annual bike ride, a community event benefiting youth sports and activity scholarships.  The event is free, with optional donations support our youth scholarship fund. Those who donate $25 or more by Sept. 24 are guaranteed an official long-sleeve event shirt on ride day! The ride wraps up at 1 p.m., leading directly into WBLAHS 2026 Homecoming activities. Details can be found at this registration website.

Pilots and partnerships

The district was mentioned in a recent WCCO news story about the Dunwoody College of Technology. White Bear Lake Area High School is participating as one of only six schools that are beta pilot testing a new Dunwoody Immersive program that uses virtual reality to teach students skilled trade courses without leaving their home schools.

White Bear Subaru's nine years of support to Willow Lane Elementary, including a donation to cover school supplies for the 2026-27 school year. Additionally, Willow Principal Jennifer Sexton mentioned during a brief ceremony that many of the school's special seating areas were funded by White Bear Subaru, including a Buddy Bench project spearheaded by students last year. The special event was covered in a recent White Bear Press article. Students helped to host leadership team members from the local business  along with the entire Willow team.

The White Bear Press shared a story about White Bear Lake Area High School being the only school in the state this year to offer a student-run Royal Credit Union branch to students. Four interns were selected to be student tellers for the new partnership between the district and the credit union. Royal has operated its School $ense program for over 30 years in Wisconsin. Ehite Bear Lake Area High School marks the 31st school site.

White Bear Lake Area High School students volunteered and offered event support yesterday at the White Bear Rotary's Taste of White Bear Lake, the club's major fundraising event. Rotary leaders reported that the students made a wonderful impression and represented White Bear Lake Area Schools and the National Honor Society well. The effort is one undertaken by different groups of students each year. 

Ways to Engage

We hope families and community members will join us for community activities happening Oct. 4-10. The fun week of events will begin on Sunday, October 4. Families are invited to participate in a Bears Bike Ride event. Later that afternoon, a Bounce House Carnival will give Bears of all ages the chance to enjoy bounce houses, carnival booths and prizes, food trucks, and a special guest DJ. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the district will host a Sunrise Park Community Open House, allowing community members a chance to check out Sunrise Park, which now houses the District Service Center, Early Childhood Center, the Senior Center and the Transition Education Center. The Homecoming Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. and wind through Downtown White Bear Lake on Friday, Oct. 9 before the 7 p.m. Varsity Football Game vs. Stillwater. A variety of WBLAHS Athletics contests will take place that week, along with a variety of other student-focused activities that are featured in the Homecoming Schedule. Those who wish to follow the week's excitement on social media can follow the WBL Homecoming Instagram account.

The White Bear Senior Center will host the Press Publications' annual White Bear Area Senior Health Fair next week. From noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, attendees will be able to learn about health-related services available close to home. Organizations will be on-hand representing hospice care, senior housing, in-home care, hearing services, dermatology, eye care, independent senior living, bath safety and other services. Cub Pharmacy will also be in attendance to provide flu shots. Find additional information in this White Bear Press article.

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 attend home, regular season school contests. The pass is not valid at region, section, state, or postseason events, or plays where royalties are involved. Please fill out this Senior Activity Pass 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.

A Manufacturing, Engineering & Robotics Open House is happening from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24. Attendees can explore WBLAHS Career and Technical facilities and discover how White Bear students are advancing in technical innovation and hands-on engineering. Live robotics demonstrations will be running throughout the evening. Additional information can be found in this Manufacturing, Engineering & Robotics Open House News post.

The community is invited to join us from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7 for a Sunrise Park Community Open House. Check out the former middle school, which now houses the District Service Center, Early Childhood Center, Senior Center and the Transition Education Center. Visitors will be able to see the transformation of Sunrise into a vibrant community hub and celebrate the culmination of the district-wide comprehensive facilities plan made possible by the community’s support of the 2019 Building Our Future Bond Referendum. Find additional details in a Community Open House News post.

Activities Updates

The White Bear Boys' Cross Country Team got 9th of 22 teams at the Rosemount Irish Invitational, as covered in this White Bear Press tidbit. The WBLAHS Football Team won their season opener game vs. Park, as covered by Max Preps. The team's season opener was covered in a White Bear Press article. A WBLAHS Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at the September 25 Varsity Football game vs. East Ridge. WBLAHS grads Angie (Hopkins) Niehart and Jeff Parker will be inducted into the HOF.  The White Bear Lake Area High School Music Department is hosting the 1st Annual Mattress Fundraiser on Saturday, October 3rd, from 10am-5pm. More information can be found in this Facebook Event link. A fun week of Homecoming activities planned for Oct. 4-10 are listed on the Homecoming 2026 Schedule.

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.

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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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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.

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District News

General Information