Red Wing Public Schools -- ISD 256
Weekly e-news Nov. 21-27, 2021
A message from the superintendent
We all can be thankful that we live in a generous, caring community. Red Wing Public Schools is especially grateful this Thanksgiving.
Consider that the second quarter is underway -- in the third academic year of disrupted learning due to COVID -- and people everywhere are tired, yet time and again community members answer our calls for assistance and sometimes anticipate our needs before we voice them.
What’s driving this? The same goal our employees focus on each day--our students’ education and well-being is the top priority.
Consider a few examples:
Veterans Day -- We couldn’t have revived the community Veterans Day program last week without the help of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, local veterans groups, Minnesota State College Southeast, and the City of Red Wing. Because of widespread collaboration, students in grades 11-12 as well as our honored veterans could participate. We are so thankful for our veterans and were honored to host the program.
The Twin Bluff Playground -- Parents and teachers saw a need, a committee formed, the City of Red Wing provided help, the community donated funds, and Phase 1 was completed before winter. We are pleased but not done as Phase 2 fundraising is underway.
Nordic seasonal lights -- Red Wing Nordic, the skate and traditional cross-country ski club, envisioned a $85,000 project to light routes at Mississippi National Golf Links, where the team practices and holds meets. In just a few weeks, people have pledged nearly $75,000.
Tutoring services -- Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County, Youth Outreach and the Prairie Island Indian Community provide free tutoring to students in several grades and schools. These programs complement the new Winger Study at Red Wing High School, where any student in grades 7-12 may access tutoring after school.
Keeping kids safe -- We’ve learned the simplest measures, when implemented properly, can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Almost on Day 1 back in March 2020, local sewers provided homemade masks. People continue to donate masks and funds to purchase disposable masks.
Packing for the Weekend -- The program isn’t new, but food insecurity is greater than ever. These discrete packages of food coordinated through United Way augment the tremendous work of RWPS Student Nutrition Services. Due to federal help during the pandemic, every student is eligible for free breakfast and lunch, but what happens when Friday afternoon rolls around? Students at risk would go hungry without Packing for the Weekend.
Winger Flight Paths -- This unique component of our district is designed to ensure every student identifies a pathway to success after graduation, be that attending college, entering the workforce, becoming an apprentice, enlisting in the military or combination of these. This is an E-12 initiative of career awareness and activities. Local industries, Minnesota State College--Southeast and Red Wing Ignite have embraced the initiative to work with students now to ensure we are educating the world’s best workforce.
Filling the gaps and enhancing classrooms -- Local endowments, foundations, businesses and nonprofits have provided grants and in-kind services for everything from laptops to seminars, from guest speakers to day trips. School Board members each meeting accept donations destined to make a difference in our community’s future … the children.
I’m so grateful for so much living and working in Red Wing. Our employees are, too. We thank you, our community, for all you’ve done and continue to do for our students.
Karsten Anderson, Superintendent of Red Wing Public Schools
Red Wing High School
Honoring Native American Heritage
Native American Student Association members erected a tipi outside Red Wing HIgh School under the guidance of elders and instructors. Pole by pole, the tipi took shape.
Then various social studies classes made their way outdoors Wednesday, Nov. 17, to participate in educational activities related to Native American Heritage Month. Students visited stations where Prairie Island Indian Community members provided lessons ranging from local history to the use of buffalo.
THIS WEEK AND NEXT AT RWHS
Nov. 23: RWHS Charity Drive concludes
Winger Study 3:50-4:45 p.m.
Nov. 24: Early release 1:50 p.m.
Nov. 25-26: No school
Nov. 30: Winger Study
Dec. 2: Winger Study
Dec. 3: The season's first Festival Friday
Important links: RWHS website, student newsletter, Activities calendar
Twin Bluff Elementary School
STUDENTS AND AN EAGLE GET UP CLOSE AND 'BIRDSONAL'
The National Eagle Center brought one of its Bald Eagle ambassadors to Twin Bluff Middle School last week. Lessons like this one meet Minnesota educational standards while using eagle-related content that helps students engage in the science and gain an appreciation for the natural world.
THIS WEEK AT TWIN BLUFF
Nov. 22: Club's Choice pickup 2:30-5 p.m., Door 3
Nov. 24: Early release, 12:35
Nov. 25-26: No school
Important info and links:
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-4530
Attendance: 651-385-4550 or tbmsattendance@rwps.org
Kids Junction -- 651-385-4633
Sunnyside Elementary School
Reading is fundamental
Knobelsdorff Electric staff read to Erin McDonnell's kindergarten class last week as part of Operation Trades Awareness. Each kindergartner across the district received a "Build It" book to highlight some of the trades. Knobelsdorff made this possible in addition to enabling 11th graders to be OSHA 10 certified and 12th graders to receiveToolkits.
Important info and links:
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-4570
Attendance: 651-385-4580 or SESattendance@rwps.org
Kids Junction: 651-385-4587
Burnside
THIS WEEK AND NEXT
Nov. 22: Club's Choice pickup 2:30-5 p.m., Door 3
Nov. 24: Early release 12:35
Nov. 25-26: No school
Important info and links:
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-4700
Attendance: 651-385-4715 or BESattendance@rwps.org
Kids Junction: 651-385-4709
Tower View
Tower View Alternative High School is a program sponsored by the Goodhue County Education District and staffed by Red Wing Public Schools.
The students' candle company is raising money for HOPE Coalition this year. Learn more on the webpage and the Friday calendar page.
Colvill
THIS WEEK AND NEXT
Nov. 22-26: no ECFC classes
Nov. 24: Colvill Kids morning session as usual; all-day enrollees will be excused at 12:15 p.m.; No p.m. classes.
Nov. 25-26: Thanksgiving break
Important links
Colvill webpage and fall/winter brochure
Community Education and Recreation
Run the Turkey Trot for Red Wing Nordic
The Turkey Trot id a fun, non-timed run held Thanksgiving morning in Red Wing. The event also is a fundraiser for the districts Red Wing Nordic club.
Day-of registration and check-in for those that preregistered will take place 7-8 a.m. at the YMCA. The event starts at 8:15 and finishes at Levee Park.
People can choose from 1K, 3 K, and 5K. There will be "turkey" goodie bags distributed to the younger generation along the Bay Point Park loop.
Register now at runsignup.com .
Learn before you stop earning (that is, retire)
Upcoming youth classes
- Nov. 29, Wrestling Club, grades 8-12, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: $40
- Dec. 4, Advanced Minecraft: Command Block – Online, grades 3-7, 8-10 a.m. Cost:$72
- Dec.10, Parent’s Night Out, 6-9:30 p.m. Cost: $25
Upcoming adult classes
- Dec. 1, Scratchmade Latkes and Applesauce Cook-along – online, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: $30
Dec. 6, Experience the Benefits of Acupuncture, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: $35
Dec. 7, What Happens After the Paycheck Stops: A Retirement Income Primer, 6-7 p.m. Cost: $10
Important links: Community Education, Fall brochure, Community Recreation
District news: important dates and helpful information
Nov. 22: Red Wing School Board special meeting, 6 p.m. RWHS Training Center, J110, followed by workshop.
- District Calendar
Job openings -- assistant gymnastics coach, concessions manager and more.
Tower View Alternative High School is a Goodhue County Education District program staffed by Red Wing Public Schools.
About our district
Website: www.rwps.org
Location: 2451 Eagle Ridge Drive, Red Wing, MN, USA
Phone: (651) 385-4500