Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

Nicky Larson notes that teachers, like students, are learning all the time.

By Emily Angell

Winger Flights Paths Intern

Nicky Larson has taught for 21 years, 17 of those in the Red Wing Public Schools. She teaches marketing classes at the high school and oversees the BARR and On the Job Training programs, as well as being the credit recovery coordinator. She’s in education for the long haul.

“Sometimes when you teach, you don’t get that instant gratification or reassurance that you are making a difference. So when I have a student come back and tell me about all the amazing things they are doing, I feel such an immense amount of pride,” she said.

When did you realize that you wanted to teach?

I think I always had the feeling that I was going to be a teacher. I used to play school with my dolls when I was little. I would make seating charts and make them report cards! I also had so many great teachers who showed how much they cared about their students. They made sure everyone knew they were capable of doing great things and I loved that.

What is BARR, and how is it working?

BARR is a school improvement model that focuses on Building Assets, Reducing Risks. BARR allows grade-level teams to better understand and build on students’ strengths, proactively address the non-academic reasons why a student may be falling behind in school, and identify what resources they need and steps they can take to thrive.

We are in our second year of implementing this model and we have had great success. Our failure rates and behavior referrals have decreased and our staff are making meaningful connections with our students!

Describe something people might not know about teaching.

It is more than just delivering content. It’s about making connections and creating a safe space for students. It doesn’t end when the bell rings at 3:24 p.m.!\

Teachers are constantly learning, too -- exploring new ideas on how to deliver a lesson, learning about our students’ and their interests, and finding ways to incorporate that into a lesson.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love watching my students become the best version of themselves. Seeing that makes everything worth it!

My favorite story is I had a social worker from the county send me an email 2 years ago saying that one of her clients told her that the only reason they got to graduation was because Mrs. Larson never gave up on them. That was the best email I ever received and it still brings tears to my eyes.

What would you tell someone thinking about becoming a teacher?

This is funny because my daughter is a senior this year and is going to school next year and majoring in education. This is what I told her: Teaching can be a roller coaster. You will experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows. You will lay awake at night thinking about things you could have done differently or worrying about a student and will jump up and down with excitement when your students excel and succeed. All those things aside, at the end of the day, it is the most rewarding job you will ever have.

What is your favorite part about teaching marketing classes?

Seeing the creativity of my students. The ideas they come up with for their projects are amazing. I also enjoy their TV advertisement creations. … I’ve gotten to see some funny ones in my years of teaching!

Four students won the pepfest challenges Friday to earn Snow Week crowns. The 2025 royals are (left) seniors Jonah Penna and David Lexvold and (right) juniors Hallie Johnson and Landon Nelson. Find more Snow Week photos on RWHS social media and in the student newsletter.

Red Wing High School recognized students with perfect attendance first semester. Each student received a certificate.

RWPS students have no school on Thursday, March 6, as it is a day for conferences.

Red Wing High School conferences will be held in teachers' classrooms from noon to 7 p.m. All teachers will be on lunch break from 1-2 p.m. Students and parents/guardians do not need appointments; this is an open house-style conference.

More information will be coming to families via email.

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Enrichment/Advisory Day.

Thursday, Feb. 27: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will speak as part of Black History Month.

Wednesday, March 5: Enrichment/Advisory Day.

Thursday, March 6: Parent-teacher-student conferences; no classes 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. 24-28.

Activities: gowingers.com

TOWER VIEW CALENDAR

Thursday, March 6: Parent-teacher conferences; 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

Box Tops are digital. That means no cutting and pasting and submitting cardboard box tops as in the past.

You can help our school raise funds to help students by enrolling in the program. It is free and an easy way to help the school earn money by scanning the groceries you already buy.

Twin Bluff Middle School will hold conferences Thursday, March 6. This week, parents/guardians will receive an email from their assigned conference teacher with a code to select an appointment time in PTCFast. We look forward to seeing our families at the conference!

Per district procedure, one 15-minute conference time is available per student. This is so parents/caregivers who are connected to the student receive the same information and then plan together, as a team, how to best support the student.

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

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

Thursday, March 6: Parent-teacher conferences; no school for students.

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

On Friday, grade 4 students had an assembly focusing on GRIT and growth mindset. Mrs. Molly Wallerich and Mr. Tom Wentzler had a few high school hockey players join the assembly, alongside Coach Tony Casci to say a few words.

On Monday, Feb. 24, Burnside students will begin their drive to stock the Red Wing Area Food Shelf. Non-perishable food items as well as monetary donations may be brought to school through Wednesday, March 12.

Some types of items that Red Wing Area Food Shelf needs now include:

• Mac n’ cheese, ramen noodles, pasta and Spaghetti O's,
• canned fruit, soup, tuna, chicken and vegetables.
• peanut butter, stews and boxed dinners.
• flour, sugar, oil, cake mixes.
• Toilet paper and facial tissue.

Burnside Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6. We are again using an online signup called PTCFast.com. We hope this system will allow you to choose the best time that meets your needs. Click on the link button below and follow the prompts to register and choose a conference time.

Per district procedure, we have one 15-minute conference time available per student. It is imperative that parents/caregivers who are connected to the student are receiving the same information and planning together, as a team, how to best support the student. Please contact the Burnside office at 651-385-4700 if you have any difficulty signing up for a time.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 25-26: Youth Frontiers in grade 4.

Thursday, March 6: Parent-teacher conferences; no school for students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Burnside Newsletter: February.

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

Kindergarten through grade 4 will have a single yearbook again this year. Please order your copy by Friday, April 4.

Conductor Pagel sounded the train whistle so classes could drop everything and read together out in the hallways! I Love to Read Month wraps up next week with dress-up days.

Sunnyside Elementary will hold conferences 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6. Parents/guardians may sign up online through PTCFast.com. This system is designed to help you choose a time that meets your needs. To sign up, click on the button below and follow the prompts to register and choose a time.

Per district procedure, one 15-minute conference time is available per student. This is so parents/caregivers who are connected to the student receive the same information and then plan together, as a team, how to best support the student.

Please contact the Sunnyside office at 651-385-4570 if you have any difficulty signing up for a time.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

Monday-Friday, Feb. 24-28: I Love to Read Month Dress Up Days.

Thursday, March 6: Parent-teacher conferences; no school for students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Sunnyside newsletter: February.

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

Kindergarten enrollment began Feb. 10. It's not too early to prepare for 2025-2026!

Click the button above.

Getting a little stir crazy? Is playtime feeling a little stale at home? Colvill Family Center offers a toy library. This operates like a book library where families, grandparents and child care providers are able to check out toys, play with them at home, then return to check out more.

• There is no cost to use the service, which is sponsored by Red Wing Dawnbreakers Kiwanis.

• Volunteers sanitize all toys before they are checked out again.

Colvill conference dates are March 3 and 6. Parents should connect with their child's teacher to schedule a time if they have not scheduled one already.

Early Childhood Family Education has several events coming up:

• Colvill Play Day - Friday, February 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $10 per family.
• Colvill Play Day - Friday, March 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $10 per family.
• ECFE Open Gym - Thursday, March 13, 5:30-7 p.m., $10 per family.
• ECFE Sea Life at Mall of America Field Trip - Thursday, April 24, 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., $10 per person plus $10 per family for the bus. This is a parent/child event most appropriate for children ages 2-5. Registration is required.

Please call Colvill at 651-385-8000 to register for these events.

COLVILL CALENDAR

Monday, March 3: Parent-teacher conferences; no school for students.

Thursday, March 6: Parent-teacher conferences; no school for students.

Thursday, March 13: Early childhood screening (appointment required).

Open gym night (enrollment required).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Colvill webpage

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

Phone: 651-385-8000

YOUTH CLASSES

Tuesday, Feb. 25: After School Soccer, grades 2-4

Tween Art Series, ages 9-13.

Wednesday, Feb 26: Intro to Cheerleading and Cheerleading, ages 4 - 9.

Saturday, March 1: Paint Your Own Pottery, ages 15+.

Open Swim and Gym.

Tuesday, March 4: Kids Coil Bowls, grades 2-4.

Wednesday, March 5: Burnside After School Craft - Hop Into Spring, grades 2-4.

ADULT CLASSES

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Save Money with Extreme Couponing!

Thursday, Feb. 27: Beginner’s Guide to Using FREE ChatGPT (AI) for Writers.

Friday, Feb. 28: Art History Club - Black History Month.

Saturday, March 1: Paint Your Own Pottery, ages 15+.

Tuesday, March 4: Gardening For Moths - The Super Pollinators.

Friday, March 7: Watercolor Landscapes.

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

Phone: 651-385-4565

The American Indian Parent Council will present a resolution of non-concurrence at the School Board meeting which starts at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in Red Wing High School room J110.

Minnesota Statute 124D.78 outlines expectations for parent and community participation in the education program for American Indian students. AIPC representatives will outline areas of deficiency and expectations for improvements. Once the board receives the council’s resolution, the district has 60 days to respond.

The monthly meeting agenda also will include:

• Student & School Showcase featuring Burnside Elementary’s Kindness Club.

• Revisions to the current budget.

• Jefferson Building update.

The meeting will be recorded and live streamed on the RWPS YouTube channel.

Find the full workshop agenda on the BoardBook.

DISTRICT CALENDAR

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

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Agenda/Personnel Committee, 3:30 p.m., District Office.

Monday, March 3: Conferences at Colvill

Thursday, March 6: Conferences at Colvill, Sunnyside, Burnside, Twin Bluff, Red Wing High School and Tower View.

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