Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

As education assistant or paraprofessional, Diane Bowen is there for kids in the classroom, on field trips and at Kids Junction, the district's child care program.

You could say Diane Bowen can’t get enough of young people. During the school year, she supports Sunnyside Elementary students in the classroom. When summer comes, you’ll find her at Kids Junction still supporting kids. She’s approaching 20 years with Red Wing Public Schools – two years prior as a sub in special education and 17 years in her current general paraprofessional or “para” role.

Please tell us about you and your background.

I grew up in Eagan, Minnesota, and graduated from Burnsville High School. As a child I wanted to be an archeologist, but ended up studying travel and business management. I worked a lot behind a desk, but didn't love my job.

I was then a stay-at-home mom for eight years before starting with the district as a sub. I loved having the same hours as my kids. Once I started the position I am in now, it became more for me … it was the first time I could ever say “I love my job!”

How do you make strong connections with students?

I listen to them. I like to learn what their interests are, then build from there. I treat them with respect.

What makes a “good day” at school?

Just hearing some of the funny stuff kids say. I was once asked by a kindergartner if dinosaurs were still around when I was a kid – still makes me laugh!

What would the students be surprised to find out about you?

Probably that I worked a few years with race horses. I think they would get a kick out of seeing me with my horses in my "win" pictures.

Describe something people might not know about paras.

We take a lot of pride in what we do. We care very deeply about these children and the teachers that we work with. We take our jobs very seriously.

What are the best parts of your jobs?

Educational support: The amazing staff that I get to work with every day. Everyone is so supportive of each other, it makes coming to work so easy.

Kids Junction: Once again, I work with amazing staff at KJ. It feels like family being with them!

How do you spend your time outside of school?

I love being outdoors. I enjoy camping and hiking. I also like to do some gardening. When it's cold outside I enjoy working on projects around the house or reading a good book.

Bundling up and playing in the snow is a cherished activity for students, so Goodhue County Health & Human Services is again celebrating Minnesota Safe Routes to School's annual Winter Walk to School Day.

"Whether it’s walking to school for classes or exploring your neighborhood with family, we hope you will get out and enjoy this wonderful, wintry season. After all, this is Minnesota, the land of ice fishing, hockey, cross-country skiing, fat biking, and sledding – why wouldn’t we throw a Walk to School Day party in the middle of the winter?" Jill Ekstrom with Goodhue County HHS Healthy Communities said.

Dig out your hats and gloves and get stepping for Winter Walk to School Day, Feb. 5.

The Red Wing High School Hispanic Students United met with reading buddies at Sunnyside Elementary School on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The HSU is a new group that meets during the RWHS Wednesday enrichment period.

The RWHS Black Student Union hosted a conference Wednesday, Jan. 29, with BSU groups from Minneapolis and Austin.

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Enrichment/Advisory Day.

Thursday, Feb. 6: Activities grade check.

Friday, Feb. 7: No school for students; teacher workday.

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Enrichment/Advisory Day.

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents Day; no school for students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Student hours: 8:40 a.m. to 3:24 p.m.

Attendance: 651-385-4660 or rwhsattendance@rwps.org

Phone: 651-385-4700

Webpage: Red Wing High School

Student newsletter: Feb. 3-7.

Activities: gowingers.com

Second semester began Jan. 21 and Winger Flight Path internships began Jan. 27. There are approximately 60 interns. Aiden Jasin is at Knobelsdorff Enterprises in Goodhue.

Friday concluded the first week of the second semester Winger Flight Path internships. Our students have a wide range of career interests and plans for after graduation.

In this weekend's newsletter we are highlighting Aiden Jasin, who has a paid internship with Knobelsdorff Enterprises. He spent his first week at the headquarters in Goodhue and will be working there and on service calls throughout the Red Wing community. During his first week he already began certifications to operate a scissor lift, boom lift, fork lift, and telehandler in addition working on the wiring of some of their new expansion.

Thank you to Knobelsdorff for continued partnership in these opportunities.

High school students and their families are invited to join the Minnesota Department of Education Career and College Readiness team virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, to learn about the ways students can earn college credit while in high school. The team will discuss Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and explain the differences between Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and College in the High School. They will provide information about some benefits of the different programs and courses, eligibility requirements, and how to access these options.

Hmong, Spanish and Somali interpretation will be available. Click the registration button below.

To learn about the college credit options at Red Wing High School -- and there are many -- click the second button below and then scroll down to Student Services.

TOWER VIEW CALENDAR

Friday, Feb. 7: No school for students; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents Day; no school for students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

154 Tower View Drive

Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Office: 651-388-8963

Webpage: Tower View

A perk of middle school mornings is the sun rising up and over the bluffs.

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

Friday, Feb. 7: No school for students; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 10: Grade 5 field trip to Sheldon Theatre.

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents Day; no school for students.

Tuesday, Feb. 18: Winter outdoor activities begin for P.E. Dress accordingly.

Friday, Feb. 28: Last day of the TBMS second trimester.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Student hours: 8:45 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.

Twin Bluff newsletter: February.

Attendance: 651-385-4550 or tbmsattendance@rwps.org

Phone: 651-385-4530

Webpage: Twin Bluff

Students celebrated Happy National Puzzle Day on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Putting puzzles together can can help children develop and grow, including cognitive skills, fine motor skills, and social skills.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Friday, Feb. 7: No school for students; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents Day; no school for students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Student hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendance: 651-385-4715 or: BESattendance@rwps.org

Phone: 651-385-4700

Kids Junction: 651-385-4709

Webpage: Burnside Elementary School

Sunnyside students filled the Sheldon Theatre for Friday's performance of "Lyle the Crocodile" Friday, Jan. 31. The Red Wing Public Schools Foundation made attending this matinee possible. Thank you!

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Apex Fun Run Fundraiser begins.

Friday, Feb. 7: No school for students; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 10: Kindergarten enrollment night, 6-7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents Day; no school for students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Student hours: 7:45 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.

Attendance: 651-385-4580 or SESattendance@rwps.org

Phone: 651-385-4570

Kids Junction: 651-385-4587

Webpage: Sunnyside webpage

The students in the 4s classroom used masks and acted out the story "The Mitten" by Jan Brett. This is a great way to practice language skills, event recall and cooperation.

Early Childhood Family Education at Colvill has a variety of special activities planned for early 2025. Space is often limited, so families are encouraged to register soon. The list includes:

• Sea Life Field Trip #1308-25W1 – April 24 from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., $10 per person plus $10 per family for the bus.
• Everything STEM/STEAM #1532-25W1 – May 1 from 9-10:30 a.m., $10 per child.
• Trolley Ride and a Book #1309-25W1 – May 15 from 9-10:30 a.m., $5 per person.
• Reading Adventure #1541-25W1 – Mondays May 5, 12 and 19 from 9-10:30 a.m., $20 for one child, $30 for two or more.
• Everything Sensory #1531-25W1 – May 22 from 9-10:30 a.m., $10 per child.

Click the ECFE activities and classes button for details – including age restrictions and adult participation – for these and many other programs.

COLVILL CALENDAR

Thursday, Feb. 6: Early childhood screening (appointment required).

Open gym night (registration required.)

Friday, Feb. 7: No school for students; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents Day; no school for students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Colvill webpage

Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone: 651-385-8000

YOUTH CLASSES

Tuesday, Feb. 4: After School Floor Hockey, grades 2-4.

Valentines Clay Cupcakes, grades 2-4.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Burnside After School Crafts - Valentine Animal Friends, grades 2-4

Thursday, Feb. 6: Valentines Day Theme Cookie Decorating, grades 3-8.

Intro to Wheel Series, ages 15+.

Saturday, Feb 8: Winger Cheer Clinic, grades. K-7.

ADULT CLASSES

Tuesday, Feb. 4: Sound Bath Healing Frequencies and Meditation.

KEEP the Memories, Declutter the Photo & Keepsake Overload.

Wednesday, Feb. 5: Therapeutic Chair Yoga.

Thursday, Feb. 6: Google Sheets for Awesome Beginners.

Intro to Wheel Series, ages 15+.

Friday, Feb. 7: Watercolor and Mixed Media Painting, ages 15+.

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Phone: 651-385-4565

1. Remoje. 2. Enjabone. 3. Lave 4. Enjuage. 5. Seque. 6. Cierre la llave de agua con una toalla de papel.

Influenza in particular remains on the rise. Please remember to wash your hands to protect yourself and others. It's not too late to get vaccinated for respiratory illness.

The Red Wing School Board accepted the following grants and donations in January:

• Terry Johnson, original historical newspapers, Red Wing High School Social Studies Department.
• Red Wing Manufacturers Association, $100, RWHS Robotics Club.
• Culver’s of Red Wing, $346, District.
• Koozie Group Red Wing, pallet of paper (valued at $1621.20), Art Department.
• Startech Computing, $200, RWHS Robotics Club.
• Kiwanis Club of Red Wing, $600, Red Wing High School Music Department.
• Chap S. Achen, $100, Partners in Sharing with Red Wing Shoes.
• Falk Auto Body & Glass, $500, RWHS Robotics Club.
• CHS Foundation, $1,000, FFA.

• Red Wing U.S.S. Swim Club, $41,747, Twin Bluff pool scoreboard and timing equipment.
• Red Wing Booster Club, $10,000, Twin Bluff pool scoreboard and timing equipment.
• FIRST, $4,800, Tower View Robotics.

THANK YOU!

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Friday, Feb. 7: No school for students; teacher workday.

Monday, Feb. 10: School Board workshop, 5:30 p.m., Red Wing High School room J110.

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Agenda/Personnel Committee, 3:30 p.m., District Office.

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents Day; no school for students.

Monday, Feb. 24: School Board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Red Wing High School room J110.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

District Office

2451 Eagle Ridge Drive

Red Wing, MN 55066

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone: 651-385-4500

Website: www.rwps.org

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