Red Wing Public Schools -- ISD 256
Weekly e-news Nov. 7-12, 2021
Spotlight
Driving student success
MEET BRIAN AUGE
Red light ... green light!. Go.
But of course, driving isn't that simple. Drivers’ Education isn’t that simple either.
In Minnesota, every new driver under 18 years old must take a 30-hour drivers education course and pass a permit test. Then the student also must take six hours of Behind the Wheel and log driving hours before taking the road exam.
Brian Auge teaches Drivers Education through Red Wing Community Education and has been producing safe, responsible drivers for 17 years.
“I love everything about my job. I wouldn’t trade my ‘part-time’ job for anything,” says Auge, whose education includes a St. Cloud State University BA in Special Education, Driver’s Ed. certification and a University of Minnesota Master in Education.
Driving is a rite of passage. What advice do you have?
The decision to drive should be a “joint” decision, based on the student’s desire to drive, as well as the parents’ determination as to whether they feel that their child has the physical, mental, social and emotional skills necessary to be a safe driver.
What do you love most about your job and why?
I get everyone’s best effort. Best efforts may look different from one student to another, however.
Everyone remembers their Driver’s Ed. teacher … not because we’re “special,” but because we represent something that every student wants … their driver’s license! Students don’t come to DE class because they HAVE to. They come because they WANT to. That puts the DE teacher in a very enviable position. If every teacher at RWHS could hold up the “carrot” (their license) that I can, schools would look a lot different.
Please share a success story.
I get students who are not always motivated to succeed in school. Because of the intrinsic motivational nature of Driver’s Education, these same students often do very well in the pursuit of their permit/license. I always tell my students, “It’s not official, until I get a text telling me that you passed your test.” I love getting those texts!
Describe something people might not know about driving rules and/or laws.
Laws have changed since they took DE. Some of the most important changes involve the number of teen passengers that beginning drivers can have in the car with them (one during first six months, and up to three teen passengers in the second six months).
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I’ve always been active. As a semi-retired person, personal health can often become a bit of a part-time job. Much of my time is spent trying to keep ahead of “Father Time.”
Feeling inspired by Brian Auge? Interested in becoming a driver’s ed instructor? You need a teaching license. For more information, reach out to Erin Augustin with Community Education at 651-385-4566 or ekaugustin@rwps.org.
Want to learn to drive? Students may sign up now for the April session.
COVID vaccinations
Clinics and elementary conferences coincide
Red Wing Public Schools will offer the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 at the three elementary schools during conferences 3-7 p.m. Nov. 11 and 16.
Consent forms will be available onsite for interested families. Please bring insurance information if you have it.
The FDA and CDC recently approved a Pfizer vaccine for children after 5-11. Learn more through the Minnesota Department of Health website, where people also may schedule appointments for children 5-11 and 12-16 at local clinics and pharmacies.
Commissioner Jan Malcolm said much of the recent increase in virus cases statewide has been happening in younger children.
Twin Bluff Elementary School
THIS WEEK AND NEXT AT TWIN BLUFF
Nov. 7-16: virtual Book Fair
Nov. 8: Second quarter starts
Nov. 11: conferences 3-7 p.m. Sign up
Nov. 16: conferences 3-7 p.m. Sign up
Community influenza clinic, 3-6 p.m.
Important information and links:
Office hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Office phone: 651-385-4530
Attendance: 651-385-4550 or tbmsattendance@rwps.org
Kids Junction -- 651-385-4633
Twin Bluff Elementary. The Twin Bluff November newsletter.
Burnside Elementary School
THIS WEEK AND NEXT AT BURNSIDE
Nov. 8: Second quarter starts
Nov. 11: Conferences 3-7 p.m. Sign up
Nov. 16: Conferences 3-7 p.m. Sign up
Nov. 17: Fall picture retakes
Important information and links:
Office hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Office: 651-385-4700
Attendance: 651-385-4715 or BESattendance@rwps.org
Burnside Elementary website and Burnside November newsletter
Sunnyside Elementary School
THIS WEEK AND NEXT
Nov. 8: Second quarter begins
Nov 11: Conferences
Nov. 16: Conferences
Important information and links:
Office hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Office phone: 651-385-4570
Kids Junction: 651-385-4587
Red Wing High School
THIS WEEK AND NEXT
Nov. 8: Second quarter starts
"The Music Man" auditions, 4 p.m., choir room.
Nov. 9: Winger Study, 3:50-4:45 p.m., J109.
Nov. 11: Veterans Day.
Winger Study.
Nov. 12: Salute to veterans, 9:30 a.m., gym.
Important links: RWHS website and RWHS's weekly student newsletter.
Colvill Family Center
Early childhood screening
Minnesota requires that all children be screened before attending kindergarten. Please call 651-385-8000 to schedule a screening date/time for your child age 3 years or older. Upcoming dates include Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and 16.
Early childhood screening is provided free of charge.
THIS WEEK AND NEXT
Nov. 11: Conferences 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 16: Conferences 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 17: Picture Day
Nov. 18: Picture Day
Important links
Colvill webpage and fall/winter brochure
Community Education and Recreation
From Minecraft to latkes to coding
Upcoming youth classes
- Nov. 20, Extreme Coding: Super Snake – Online, grades 4-8, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: $57
- Nov. 29, Wrestling Club, grades 8-12, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: $40
- Dec, 4, Advanced Mincraft: Command Block – Online, grades 3-7, 8-10 a.m. Cost:$72
Upcoming adult classes
- Nov. 16, The Four Pillars of the New Retirement, 6-7 p.m. Cost: $8 per individual or $10 per couple
- Nov. 18, The STORY behind Your Gifts, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: $25
- Dec. 1, Scratchmade Latkes and Applesauce Cook-along – online, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: $30
Important links: Community Education, Fall brochure, Community Recreation
District news: important dates and helpful information
Nov. 12: Veterans Day program, 9:30 a.m., RWHS
Nov. 15: Red Wing School Board, 6 p.m. RWHS Training Center, J110
- 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