Red Wing Public Schools - ISD 256
Aug. 14, 2022
Spotlight
Committed to providing quality care for kids
MEET JUSTIN PLEIN
Justin Plein has hundreds of kids. Actually, the number is now in the thousands because, as coordinator for Kids Junction since July 2012, he interacts with children in kindergarten through grade 6 year-round.
“Kids Junction is a before and after school program run at Burnside, Sunnyside, and Twin Bluff. We are also open during the summer. We provide care for families outside of school hours,” he says. “I love it.”
Hearing a young person on the street or in a store shout “Hey, Justin!” is a regular weekend occurrence. Clearly, they love Kids Junction, too. Several of his former “Kids” are now staff during summer vacation and school breaks.
The program added preschool care last year for children 33 months to pre-K. That program will be housed at Sunnyside this year.
Describe something people might not know about the program.
Kids Junction has been open every weekday during the pandemic. We started Monday, March 16, 2020, and provided essential care for families that were still working. We also assisted students with their distance learning.
Kids Junction had to expand within days while being the first to implement COVID-19 safety measures. What have these days taught you and your staff?
The last two years have taught us that adapting to a new environment constantly is doable. The pandemic actually made us step back and look at different procedures we had in place. Many of the new procedures we added we will continue to use after the pandemic.
What or who inspired you to lead Kids Junction?
In high school I worked at the Red Wing YMCA, and really enjoyed working with children. After college I worked at a before and after school site in the Twin Cities. When the opportunity arose for me to return to Red Wing and work in a field I enjoy I could not resist.
What are the best parts of the job?
The difference in each day is the best part of this job. No two days are the same. I enjoy problem solving and each day brings new challenges and new adventures.
You wear several hats at RWPS. Please name them.
Besides working at Kids Junction for the schools, I also coach JV baseball and 8th grade basketball. I announce girls volleyball, and hockey.
How do you spend your free time outside of school?
In my free time I love to spend time with my family and being involved in sports. My three kids are very active playing sports so I spend a lot of time in the car driving them around. I also coach the Red Wing Aces in the summer so our family spends a lot of time at The Ath.
Kids Junction runs throughout the summer. One highlight is a field trip to Valley Fair.
Registration for the 2022-2023 school year opened online this month.
If you have any questions, contact Justin Plein at jjplein@rwps.org or 651-385-4621.
Re-enrollment necessary when returning from other districts
If your child attended classes last year in another district – including 5RiversOnline – but plans to return to Red Wing Public Schools for the 2022-2023 school year, you must re-enroll that child with RWPS Student Services.
Note: This is a state requirement.
Find the enrollment forms online or pick one up at the District Office.
For more information, contact Melinda Johnson at majohnson@rwps.org or call 651-385-4520.
Getting a jump on returning to school
Getting 'a head'
National icon
Back-to-school calendar
NOTE: Grade 5 at TBMS has changed from an open house to mini-conference style from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 30. Parents/guardians should have received emails inviting them to sign up on PTCFast.
Monday, Aug. 15
Fall athletic practice seasons begin.
Parent-athlete-coach meeting for sports, 5-8 p.m., Red Wing High School Hovda Hall.
Wedesday, Aug. 24
Hispanic open house, 5-7 p.m., Twin Bluff Middle School.
Tuesday, Aug. 30
Twin Bluff Middle School grade 5 mini-conferences, starting at 11 a.m.
Twin Bluff Middle School grades 6-7 open house, 4-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 31
Red Wing High School open house, 4-7 p.m.
Colvill Family Center "Meet the Teacher" appointments, starting at 10 a.m.
Sunnyside Elementary mini-conferences, starting at 11 a.m.
Burnside Elementary mini-conferences, starting at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 6
First day of school for grades 1-12.
Half of all kindergarten students report.
Colvill Family Center "Meet the Teacher" appointments, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 7
Half of kindergarten students report.
Thursday, Sept. 8
All kindergartners attend school.
Community Education & Recreation
You have time to squeeze in one last fun class -- or 2 -- this summer!
Adult Enrichment
Aug. 24-25, W-Th, MN Permit to Carry a Firearm, 5:30-9 p.m. Cost $102
Aug. 27, S, Monarch Tagging, 8-11 a.m. Cost $12
Aug. 31, W, Mushroom Hike, ages 18+, 6-7 p.m. Cost $8
Adult Recreation
Aug. 22, M, First Timer’s Hike, 6-7 p.m. Cost $5
Trips and Tours
Aug.25, Th, Minnesota State Fair, 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Cost $34
Sept.18, Su, Minnesota Renaissance Fair, 9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Cost $47
Red Wing School Board
School safety tops the board's Aug. 15 agenda
Red Wing School Board will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, to review and/or finalize several policies and procedures as the 2022-2023 academic year nears.
The board will convene in the Red Wing High School J-pod and immediately go into closed session to review security measures as allowed under Minnesota Statute 13D.05.
The workshop will then open to the public, and that agenda will include:
- Policies about transporting district and non-public school students.
- Policies about chemical, alcohol and drug use that require adjustments to reflect state law changes.
The regular board meeting will follow the workshop, but not start before 6 p.m. There will be reports on:
- Referendum planning
- COVID procedures
- American Indian Program Plan
People may attend in person or watch the livestream.
ON THE DISTRICT CALENDAR
Monday, Aug. 15: Red Wing School Board, 5 p.m., RWHS.
Tuesday, Aug. 16: The District Office will be open an extra half hour to accommodate the 5 p.m. candidate filing deadline.
Thursday, Aug. 18: Candidates have until the end of the business day to withdraw.
Tuesday, Aug. 23: New teacher workshop.
Aug. 24-26, 29-Sept. 1: Staff workshops continue.
Tuesday, Sept. 6: First day of school.
Red Wing School Board, 5 p.m., RWHS.
School Board election shaping up; filing period ends Tuesday
Red Wing Public Schools anticipates having at least five candidates vying for three seats in the Nov. 8 election.
Will there be more? The period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the Red Wing School Board will close at 5 p.m. Aug. 16. People may file their paperwork and pay the $2 filing fee at the District Office.
Candidates then have until Aug. 18 to withdraw. Look for finalized list of candidates in the Aug. 21 newsletter.
About our district
Red Wing Public Schools strives to provide an innovating and meaningful educational experience that fosters curiosity; pursues and applies best practices; embraces diversity by respectfully engaging all students, families, and staff; and connects and partners with our community. We serve pre-K through grade 12.
Website: www.rwps.org
Location: 2451 Eagle Ridge Drive, Red Wing, MN, USA
Phone: (651) 385-4500