Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256
Jan. 21, 2024
Spotlight
Reading books and enjoying art are among Christopher Burawa's favorite activities.
Teacher brings international flare to RWPS
GET TO KNOW CHRISTOPHER BURAWA
By Ridley Werla
Flight Paths Intern
Icelandic born Christopher Burawa is a Language Arts and Mythology teacher at Red Wing High School. Growing up in the District of Columbia/Maryland, Va., area, Burawa was a lover of music, art, and literature, all things that shaped him into the person he is today.
What or who inspired you to become a teacher?
I was an immigrant to the U.S. and struggled to learn to read and write. But once I overcame that hurdle, I really enjoyed learning, and I had some great teachers who inspired me.
Mr. Desmond, my ninth grade science teacher, was a master teacher and he was instrumental in developing my love of science. Mrs. Fisher (a 1949 Smith College graduate), my 12th grade AP English teacher, was a brilliant teacher and her love of literature kindled a flame in me that pointed me in the direction of language arts; and, Mr. Felix, my 12th grade government teacher, was an approachable and caring person who built relationships with all his students.
What is your favorite thing about your students?
I love witnessing students evolve in their thinking and humor, and how they learn to express themselves. I feel privileged to see their growth as they expand into their young adulthood.
Describe something people might not know about teaching or your subject?
I never fail to learn from my students’ observations. It’s what’s awesome about being a language arts teacher.
If you had another job besides teaching, what would it be? If you do have another job what is it?
I would be a letterpress printer. I enjoy working with language.
You won the lottery, what's the first move?
I would have qualified professionals tear off my deck and build a functional one and then have the piano tuned. I would then meet with a financial advisor and establish a giving program to serve the community.
What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies?
Definitely books. When I was a kid, my friends and I used to ask each other this very question. Thankfully, I have revisited this question over the years and have the perfect response: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” (the Oxford edition, of course). I can imagine myself acting out roles, directing myself, creating set designs, lighting (crucial in a cave), and pretending to have an actual box office. I can even imagine somehow figuring out how to make Balinese shadow puppets and then putting on full performances of the plays before a roaring fire.
How do you spend your free time outside of school?
Hanging with my wife, Christina, and daughter, Eydis, checks all the boxes. But I also enjoy cooking and baking, watching Barclays Premier League soccer (GO LIVERPOOL!), writing, reading, gardening (particularly, permaculture), hiking, foraging, observing nature, and going to museums (Minnesota Institute of Art is my favorite) and art events.
Unknown fact/facts about yourself?
I became a citizen of the United States of America on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
Our Schools
Red Wing High School
"Beauty and the Beast" opens Thursday
Red Wing High School's "Beauty and the Beast" cast practices "Be Our Guest." Although rehearsals took place at RWHS , the production will be at the Sheldon Theatre. Opening night is Thursday, Jan. 25, and the show runs through a Sunday afternoon matinee. Tickets are $20 for adults, $13 for students.
Dakota Language Bowl coming
Prairie Island to host; RWHS to compete
Red Wing High School's Dakota language students will showcase their knowledge on Feb. 16 when the Dakota Language Bowl competition comes to Prairie Island.
RWHS offers Dakota I and Dakota II courses this school year.
Last year a RWHS team placed second at the state language bowl held during the Minnesota Indian Education Association annual convention. The competition was so intense and lasted so long that the moderator had to declare sudden death.
"Something special is happening here," the judge said when the competition concluded.
Come see Red Wing's teams in action. The local knowledge bowl will be a featured event during the Prairie Island Indian Community's winter wacipi or powwow.
RWHS calendar
Monday, Jan. 22: Second semester begins.
"Beauty and the Beast" character costume day.
Tuesday, Jan. 23: "Beauty and the Beast" color wars day.
Thursday, Jan. 25: "Beauty and the Beast," 7 p.m., Sheldon Theatre.
Friday, Jan. 26: "Beauty and the Beast," 7:30 p.m., Sheldon Theatre.
Saturday, Jan. 27: "Beauty and the Beast," 7:30 p.m., Sheldon Theatre.
Sunday, Jan. 28: "Beauty and the Beast," 3 p.m., Sheldon Theatre.
Student hours: 8:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Important information and links:
RWHS Student newsletter Jan. 22-26
Office: 651-385-4700
Attendance: 651-385-4660 or rwhsattendance@rwps.org
Sunnyside Elementary School
Kindergarten registration opens Feb. 12
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year will kick off on Monday, Feb. 12, from 6-7 p.m. at Sunnyside.
If you have an incoming kindergarten student, please join us for an informational session and a chance to complete district enrollment forms. This session is geared more for parents than students, so please don't feel as though your child needs to attend.
Sunnyside will hold multiple transition events for students later in the spring and summer.
Please note, if school is closed Feb. 12 due to weather, the event will be moved to Monday, Feb. 19.
Sunnyside Calendar
Monday, Jan. 22: Third quarter begins.
Wednesday, Jan. 24: Kids Heart Challenge (formerly the Jump Rope for Heart) concludes.
Wednesday, Jan. 31: Report cards sent home.
Student hours: 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Important information and links:
Phone: 651-385-4570
Attendance: 651-385-4580 or SESattendance@rwps.org
Kids Junction: 651-385-4587
Burnside Elementary School
Good morning, good morning, good morning
Annie Pottinger leads her third grade class through a "Slinky greeting" lesson. Students greet the person next them by name, making eye contact, and then moved the Slinky to that individual.
Burnside calendar
Monday, Jan. 22: Third quarter begins.
Important information and links:
Phone: 651-385-4700
Attendance: 651-385-4715 or: BESattendance@rwps.org
Kids Junction: 651-385-4709
Twin Bluff Middle School
STEAMing ahead with experiments
Twin Bluff Middle School's students in STEAM -- science, technology, engineering, art, math -- has multiple projects in the works. These include the Starbase Minnesota kits, CO2 cars, popsicle bridges, elephant toothpaste experiment, Lava Lamp experiment, stained glass windows, and more.
Twin Bluff STEAM students created robotic hands using cardboard, string, rings and straws.
Twin Bluff calendar
Monday, Jan. 22: Quarter 3/Semester begins.
Student hours: 8:45 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Important information and links:
Twin Bluff Middle School January newsletter
Phone: 651-385-4530
Attendance: 651-385-4550 or tbmsattendance@rwps.org
Colvill Family Center
Physical play is learning time, too
How many balls can two little hands hold? Play becomes problem solving during Little Wingers gym time for this child who used 10 fingers to hold eight balls.
Student hours:
8:45-11:15 a.m. morning.
12:15-2:45 p.m. afternoon.
8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. full day.
Important links and information:
Colvill webpage: Find the Early Childhood Family Education brochure here.
Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-8000
Community Education & Recreation
Learn to revel in a sound bath
Click on the winter/spring catalog to find more classes.
Upcoming Youth Classes:
Monday, Jan. 29, Let’s Have Fun Cooking: Pizza, grades 5-8, 3:45-5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 6, Snowman Figures In Clay, Gr. 3-7, 3:45-4:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 7, Make a Bracelet with Caitlin, Gr. 5-12, 5-6 p.m.
Upcoming Adult Classes:
Tuesday, Feb. 6, Mosaic Pet Portrait, 5:30-8:30 p.m., 3 day program.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, Sound Bath Experience, 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 15, Unlocking Self-Awareness, 7-8 p.m., 4 day program.
Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-4565
District News
Wagner Wednesday going to Pier 55
Superintendent Martina Wagner will hold the first Wagner Wednesday of 2024 at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Pier 55, 240 Harrison St.
Open to anyone, this month's community conversation will focus on engaging with people who are interested in education but may not be directly connected to Red Wing Public Schools. There will be time for questions.
Red Wing Area Seniors will have the coffee pot on!
For more information, contact Communications Manager Anne Robertson at 651-385-4552 or akrobertson@rwps.org.
Red Wing Public Schools and Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County will hold an informational meeting for Hispanic families at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, in Red Wing High School room J110.
School Board
School Board learns about field trip regarding Native American art studies
Red Wing School Board had art and Native American Student Association students in the spotlight at the Jan. 16 meeting. Shanaya Wells and Kris Nepoose along with teacher Kristin Bray talked about a recent field trip to the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Minnesota History Center. The trip focused on Native American art studies and the viewing of new special exhibits at each location.
Your gifts mean the world to our students
The School Board accepted the following grants and donations in January:
American Association of University Women Red Wing Branch, $472, Sunnyside Literacy Project.
Sheena Whitlock Goods for Girls, socks, boxer briefs, bikini briefs and personal hygiene products.
American Legion Post 54, $150, TBMS Adopt-A-Student Gift Program.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Pathways to Prosperity Grant River Region Bridge to Advanced Manufacturing, $250,000, Hiawatha Valley Adult Education/Community Education.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Pathways to Prosperity Grant River Region On Ramp to Manufacturing, $250,000, Hiawatha Valley Adult Education/Community Education.
MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, Pathways to Prosperity Grant River Regions Individualized Training Pathways for Internationally Trained Professionals, $150,000, Hiawatha Valley Adult Education/Community Education.
Mightycause Charitable Foundation, $95, General Fund.
Kiwanis Club of Red Wing, $200, Ovation.
Red Wing Lions Club, $250, Burnside School.
Red Wing Lions Club, $250, Sunnyside School.
Red Wing Manufacturers Association, $150, Robotics Club.
Riester Refrigeration, $100, Robotics Club.
Red Wing Shoe Co., $1,000, Robotics Club.
Ag Partners, $874, FFA.
Minnesota FFA Foundation, $1,000, FFA.
District calendar
Monday, Jan. 22: Quarter 3/Semester 2 begins.
Wednesday, Jan. 24: Agenda/Personnel Committee, 8 a.m., District Office.
Wednesday, Jan. 31: Wagner Wednesday, 10 a.m., Pier 55 Red Wing Area Seniors.
Important links & information:
District Office
2451 Eagle Ridge Drive
Red Wing, MN 55066
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (See holiday hours listed above)
Phone: 651-385-4500
Website: www.rwps.org
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