Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

Cherish Haskell teaches ceramics part time at Red Wing High School.

By Maria Olson

Winger Flight Paths Intern

Cherish Haskell started teaching art classes at Red Wing High School after she was asked to fill a growing need last year. This is her first official full year, teaching two periods every day.

“I also teach ceramics and painting at Red Wing Arts and was happy to step in last year to teach a ceramics class when asked. It’s been a whirlwind at times but everyone at the school has been super supportive,” she said.

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in art?

Art has always been an important part of my life. When I was a kid, I would get excited when it rained because we would be able to stay in and draw at recess. I had some amazing art and educational studies professors at Carleton College who were so smart and insightful; they really made an impression on me.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I get to help students express themselves through art and take a break from looking at a screen! I love when students surprise themselves with how much they can do when they put in the effort and have high expectations for themselves.

What can you cook to perfection? Are you willing to share the recipe?

Well, my idea of cooking is heating something in the microwave. However, I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu with a degree in pastry arts so I can bake pretty much anything! My best tip for bakers: Bring your ingredients to room temperature and measure vanilla with your heart instead of a teaspoon (i.e. use more than the recipe calls for!).

How do you spend your free time outside of work?

In my free time, I visit my family in the Twin Cities, work on my personal art, hunt for agates and enjoy game nights with friends and family.

If you could take any Red Wing High School teacher’s class what would it be?

That is a tough question! I always say that if I won the lottery tomorrow, I would spend the rest of my life taking classes and learning new things. The Metals and Woodworking classes sound awesome, but I think I would like to take an art class with Mrs. Bray!

Monday is a professional development day. The District Office will open again for public business from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The Red Wing High School Concert Choir presented a world premiere Thursday of the newly commissioned “Steadfast, Beating.” Watch the video by student Nora Tift to learn how the piece -- made possible by a Red Wing Public Schools Foundation grant -- came to be. The composer is Linda Kachelmeier with text by teacher Molly Sutton Kiefer.

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

SNOW WEEK and FFA WEEK

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

Tuesday, Feb. 18: Generations Challenge Day.

Wednesday, Feb. 19: Western/flannel Day/FFA National Blue and Corn Gold Day.

Enrichment/Advisory Day.

FFA petting zoo.

Dodge ball, 6:30 p.m., gym.

Thursday, Feb. 20: Anything But a Backpack Day.

Friday, Feb. 21: Jersey Day.

Pep fest, 10:10 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22: Dance, 8-10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Enrichment/Advisory Day.

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. 17-22.

Activities: gowingers.com

TOWER VIEW CALENDAR

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

Twin Bluff Middle teacher Nick Richmond (left) poses with Principal Patrick Beierman at the STEM Forward awards night Feb. 12. Richmond's family -- Vicki and Madelyn -- also celebrated with the local teacher, who has transformed the program for grades 5 and 6.

Twin Bluff Middle School teacher Nick Richmond was one of 10 nominees for the 2024-2025 Outstanding Educator Award.

Hosted by the Southeast Service Cooperative and STEM Forward, the honor recognizes K-12 professionals who strive toward the highest levels of science, technology, engineering, and math -- STEM -- or STEAM, as the program is called Red Wing since it included art. The nominees were honored for excellence within their schools and community, with a focus on initiative and continuous improvement in every aspect of their work.

Although he did not win the top title at Wednesday night's award ceremony, Richmond was recognized for his outstanding work to foster student achievement, exhibit leadership and support for continuous improvement, promote STEAM careers, and demonstrate collaboration among K-12 schools, businesses, and post-secondary education.

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

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

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

The APEX Leadership fundraiser and character-building program wrapped up last week at Burnside. Students did so well meeting their goals that they sprayed Principal Jen Grove with silly string. See more photos and a video on the Burnside Facebook page.

On Feb. 25-26, fourth graders will participate in the Youth Frontiers Kindness Retreat at Minnesota State College Southeast. This will be a high energy day that challenges students to think critically about the impact of their everyday choices and how they treat themselves and others.

Would you like to volunteer to help that day? Call Burnside at 651-385-4703. Depending on supervision levels, duration, and nature of the work, volunteers may be required to complete a Volunteer Application Form and/or background check.

Mrs. Albers', Mrs. Schneider's, and Mrs. Wenstrom's classes will go on Tuesday and Mrs. Will's, Ms. Subra's, and Ms. Buratti's classes will go on Wednesday.

Youth Frontiers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing experiences that inspire character, civility and community.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

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

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

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

Red Wing Royal Ambassadors Bryn Guse, Cadence Moffett and Kendra Carlisle were the mystery servers on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. Thank you for helping feed our Sunnyside students.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

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

Friday, Feb. 21: All Aboard the Sunnyside Reading Train with Conductor Pagel.

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 CALENDAR

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

Thursday, Feb. 20: 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. 18: Fun with Clay for Kids, grades 2-4.

Wednesday, Feb. 19: Creative Writing: Building New Worlds, grades 5-12.

Thursday, Feb. 20: Making Comic Books, grades 5-12.

Saturday, Feb. 22: Mini March Madness, Ages 5-kindergarten

Mini March Madness, grades 1-2.

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.

ADULT CLASSES

Tuesday, Feb. 18: Gardening for Moths - The Super Pollinators.

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

Crochet Basics, ages 15+.

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

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

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

Phone: 651-385-4565

DISTRICT CALENDAR

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

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.

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