School briefs: White Bear Lake school captures International Baccalaureate designation

Matoska International Elementary in White Bear Lake was recognized as an International Baccalaureate World School last month. The school is now part of a network of 3,000 schools in 140 countries with a similar vision and emphasis on best education practices.

The school demonstrated a commitment to focus on "the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside," according to the program's website. The school's curriculum is recognized as "substantial, in-depth and having global significance."

The school's community, now named Matoska International Baccalaureate World School, will celebrate the achievement with a continental breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Feb. 1 in the school's cafeteria.

Musical performers win SpotLight awards East Ridge High School students earned more SpotLight Musical Theatre Program awards than any other school in the state last month.

The SpotLight Musical Theater Program provides support and training to young artists in Minnesota.

The school's orchestra won the outstanding orchestra award and received an honorable mention for overall performance. Students Peter Silva and Vincent Bedard won the outstanding performance award in a leading role. Kajsa Jones, Adam Mickelson and Julia Reimann received honorable mentions for performance in a leading role.

Austin Robinson won outstanding performance in a supporting role. Alyssa Wynn received honorable mention in an individual performance in a supporting role. Joe Johnson received honorable mention for a featured role.

Park High bowlers take third at state tourney The Park High School bowling team won third place at the state tournament in St. Paul last month.

Minnesota high school bowling is a club sport administered by the Bowling Proprietors Association of Minnesota.

Park High School's team beat 136 teams from across the state. More than 1,750 students participate.

DAAREL BURNETTE II