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White Bear Lake Area Schools Community e-Newsletter |
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September 23, 2011 |
Leading minds
to learning, hearts to compassion and lives to community service. |
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In This Issue ·
Habits of the Heart ·
General Information ·
Opportunities ·
Awards and Honors · Singing a new tune · We the people · Mini-classes for mini-learners · A warm welcome ·
Activities updates ·
Renewal Referendum with no tax
increase scheduled for November 8 ·
School Board policies in effect for
2011-12 year ·
Meeting agendas ·
Upcoming meetings Upcoming · Homecoming
Week · All-School
Reunion · School Board Work-Study Meeting · Parent
Leaders Forum
WBLAS In the News · Record number of
school districts seeking levy referendums · District student
highlighted in WBL Relay for Life video · Nursing student (WBLAHS
grad) travels to Africa · Athletics Updates Archives
e-Newsletter Published By Office of Communications Please contact Marisa Vette (x7695) to
submit information for inclusion in publications. |
“Dad”, he recalled, “do you remember when you
and Mom use to make the whole family get up on a Saturday morning and
go out and rake somebody’s lawn?” Well, yes - I did remember. For more than a decade, on the last Saturday
in October, rain or shine, we insisted that all four of our children,
and more when we had an exchange student with us, pile into the family
van and rake the lawn of one of the senior citizens in our community
who signed up for the Rake-a-thon.
I remembered that as we would drive to our destination,
our kids were blurry-eyed and grouchy. About three hours later, warmed by the work,
we would sit down on an old porch or around the kitchen table and be
served hot cider and freshly baked cookies by an elderly widow. The kids would be attentive, respectful, and
knew they were doing the right thing. Then the following October, when the wake-up
call came, they were blurry- eyed and grouchy. My son said, “Dad, I know I didn’t like to get
up, but I am really glad you made us do it.”
He realized that by the time he was old enough to refuse to go,
he had developed habits of the
heart. This evening our inductees into the National
Honor Society are being honored for scholarship, leadership, character,
and service. You are being honored not just for one event,
activity, or achievement, but because you have demonstrated over time
that you meet the high standards of the National Honor Society. In another way of speaking, you have been honored
because you have demonstrated habits that others have noticed. As we honor you tonight, we encourage you to
think about this year ahead as a time for you to establish habits that
will last a lifetime. For example, a habit of self-discipline that
leads to academic success serves you your whole life. Your habit of accepting leadership roles gives
you opportunities to influence others for good throughout your life. Your habit of doing the right thing even when
no one is watching develops the character that will serve you well your
whole life. All of these are habits of the mind. Let’s return to the story of raking leaves. What
my son realized is that service to others doesn’t always come naturally.
We are ultimately pretty selfish, all of us, small children,
teenagers, and adults. We like our sleep, our comfort; we want the
world to pay attention to us and to take care of our needs. Tonight think about your habits of the heart. And think about those who have influenced you
and who you admire for their habits
of the heart. Think of those at your table tonight. Thank them for training you in habits of the heart – even when you were
blurry-eyed and grouchy. Dr. Michael Lovett General Information DID YOU KNOW? Find Nov. 8 Local Operating Levy Renewal information here.
Important notice re: Nov. 8 Renewal Referendum On July 11, the White Bear Lake Area School Board unanimously passed a resolution to schedule a local operating levy renewal referendum (not a tax increase) for this November 8. This vote will be a renewal of the same question that was strongly supported by our community in the fall of 2007.
Find
a schedule of Informational Community meetings here. Find
additional information here. Annual Report on Curriculum, Assessment and Student Achievement The District 624 School Board has
approved the 2010-11 Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction and Student
Achievement. This report, in accordance with Minnesota Department of
Education guidelines, has been published electronically on the district
website. Community members can view the report here or contact the Superintendent’s Office
at (651) 407-7563 for a copy. The District will publish its Annual
Report to the Community, which will contain a more comprehensive look
at the District, later this fall. This report, which will include a
variety of student achievement data, financial reporting, and other
District information, will be mailed to all residents and posted online. Strategic
Planning
Other calendars that are available
are: · 2011-12 and 2012-13 Parent Calendar
White Bear Lake Area
Educational Foundation updates The White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation,
Inc. (WBLAEF) is an independent, non-profit corporation promoting excellence
in education in White Bear Lake Area School District 624 schools. The
Foundation was established in 1993 to provide a vehicle through which
community members could contribute to the educational opportunities
for students. Specifically, the Foundation seeks and distributes funds
to support programs and initiatives that further enhance learning for
public school students in the White Bear Lake community.
·
The Foundation’s “Cents for Students Makes Sense” staff appeal campaign
has begun. Find a donation form here. Find the White Bear Lake Area Educational
Foundation website here. Opportunities White Bear Lake Area
High School Reunions A number of White Bear Lake Area High School alumni will be getting
together this summer. A list of graduating class activities, and event
contacts, can be found at the District website.
Special
Education Parent Advisory Council White Bear Lake
Public Schools is seeking parent volunteers to serve on the District’s
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (PAC). The role of Council members is to provide
input and feedback on District procedures relating to the education
of students with disabilities. The Parent Advisory Council meets in
the evening three times each school year.
The dates for the 2011-2012 school year will be forthcoming.
PAC meetings are generally from 6:30-8 p.m. and are held at the District
Center. If you are interested in learning more about joining the Special
Education Parent Advisory Council, please contact Cindi Rulli in the Special Services
Office at 651-407-7553.
Support
WBLAS students · “Dig Pink” Girls’ Volleyball event - White Bear Lake Girls Volleyball teams up with thousands of volleyball teams across the country to help support breast cancer awareness. Attend the home games vs. Forest Lake on Sept. 27 to participate and lend your support. Find information here. · BEARS bleacher-stadium seat - Purchase a BEARS bleacher-stadium seat cushion for $10 from the WBLAHS volleyball team. Find information here.
·
Senior Program Bake Sale – The White Bear Area Senior Program is hosting a Bake Sale & Used
Jewelry Fundraiser from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Senior Center
(2484 County Road F East in White Bear Lake). Find additional information
here. · Metro Dining Card sales – Various District schools are selling Metro Dining Club (DMC) cards this fall. The North Metro card set has 166 restaurants, each card may be used once a month October 2012 - October 2013. A few of the local restaurants include Roadside Pizza (50% or up to $7 off), Betty's Pie ($7), Blue Heron ($12), C.G. Hooks ($7), Casa Lupita ($6), DQ ( 2 for 1), Gulden's ($9), Mad Jack's ($12), Taco John's ( 2 for 1), Roman Anthony's ($20) & Running Aces ($20). Cost is $22 per set.
Awards and Honors
·
Staff member receives “Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Award” from St.
Mary’s University – Beth Clymer, fourth grade teacher at Lakeaires
Elementary, recently obtained her Master’s of Arts in Educational Leadership
from St. Mary's University. In addition to completing her Master’s Degree
she was one of two graduates, the other a doctoral student, who won
an "Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Award."
·
$500 project grants from CenturyLink and DonorsChoose.org – CenturyLink
is partnering with DonorsChoose.org to offer grants totaling $100,000
to fund classroom projects in public schools. Any project request of up to $500 submitted by
a teacher at a public school located within a CenturyLink service area
is eligible. Find additional information here. Please contact Marisa Vette (651-407-7695) to submit District News, General Information, Opportunities or Awards & Honors for inclusion in future publications.
The experience was a fun one for
all involved, but it was not all “fun and games.” The activity allowed
students to practice reading the words and work on their fluency, along
with a cross-age connections component of having the fourth and second
graders working together. Those who would like to create
similar experience for growing White Bear Pride can find a music file
of the school song here and a print-out of the words here.
The sessions were lively ones, with students peppering
the speaker with questions and participating in an activity in which
they determined the legality of privacy that could be assumed in a case
study exercise. Similar to the Supreme Court Justices, when the students
disagreed with their group majority’s decision they were given the chance
to state their case, so lively conversations could be heard throughout
the classroom.
Later in the year, a Preschool Preview is available for families
who want to sample the District’s “Play and Learn” class. And in late-January,
families are invited to attend a “Polar Plunge” class to learn about
arctic animals. Find information about the programs here. Find information about the District’s
comprehensive Early Childhood Program here.
The
aim of the event is simple. According to one of the staff member who
planned the event, “The kids love to see that they are not the only
new kid, and they feel welcome.” Activities Updates The
Boys Cross Country Team won the 26 team
Saint Olaf Invitational on Friday at Saint Olaf College. Medaling for
the Bears on the 5k course (out of 566 runners) were: senior Joel Reichow
at 3rd place (16:21), senior Jake Krueger at 10th place (16:46), senior
Grady Bell at 14th place (16:55), senior Sean Scott at 16th place (16:56),
and junior Jared Bartz at 18th place (16:56). White
Bear Lake Area High School Athletics schedules can be found here.
Renewal Referendum with no tax increase scheduled for November
8 On
July 11, the White Bear Lake Area School Board unanimously passed a
resolution to schedule a local operating levy renewal referendum (not
a tax increase) for this November 8. This vote will be a renewal of
the same question that was strongly supported by our community in the
fall of 2007. Find
a schedule of Informational Community meetings here. Find
additional information here. School Board policies in effect for 2011-12 year The
White Bear Lake Area School Board recently approved the following policies,
which will be in effect in 2011-12:
·
Policy 497, Nepotism - This is a new policy this year.
The full policy can be found here.
·
Policy 498, Respectful Workplace - This is a new policy this year.
The full policy can be found here. Other
Board policies also have been updated recently. Find a listing of all
policies here. Meeting agendas This
year’s White Bear Lake Area School Board meeting agendas are available
to District staff members at
J:\ALL DISTRICT\2011-12 School Board Agenda Packets.
·
Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
·
Thursdays at 10 a.m. |
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