Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

Caden Bergin finds great satisfaction in helping to keep Burnside Elementary School spic and span.

Caden Bergin can always count on getting his steps in at Burnside Elementary School. When the custodian enters the 30-year-old building with its new carpeting and vivid student artwork decorating the hallways, he has a game plan.

Sort of. His eight-hour shift begins at 2 p.m. just as students end their day, and he never quite knows what he’ll find as he navigates the hallways and classrooms.

“Things happen and whatnot. We get it,” he said. “So it's kind of just ‘see what's there’ every day. It’s actually mostly good.”

He makes his first rounds, picking up trash and recycling. The cleaning begins at 3 p.m. after most of the teachers have gone home.

What special challenge does caring for Burnside Elementary School present?

Time management. Some nights you might not have as much time as you might on other nights to get everything done. You have decisions to make – things that take precedence – like bathrooms are most important and rooms that maybe need some extra attention.

What gives you on-the-job satisfaction and why?

Seeing the before and after and leaving a space better. You can see what you did; it's rewarding. This is my third school year. Being that this is an elementary school, it's important that the kids have clean, renewed learning environments for the next school day.

What are some of the extra things that make the job fun?

I always enjoy Halloween, seeing the cool costumes the kids come up with. They'll throw back to things like the “Toy Story” movies I grew up on. I enjoy seeing that they're experiencing some of the same things that I experienced growing up.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I’m an avid golfer, and my dad and I play together at least once a week. I grew up playing hockey, so in the winter time when the ice is frozen I do that.

And how many steps do you log each work night?

It's anywhere from 35,000 to 40,000 a night. So, yeah, we get our steps in. Definitely. I enjoy exercise, so I don't see that as a burden, per se. I actually enjoy it!

On Friday several Red Wing High School Student Council members filled 20 boxes with fixings for Thanksgiving Day dinners. The boxes will go to families who otherwise would have struggled to afford a traditional feast this year. Pictured are Addison Hanlon, Noah Rassier, Nora Tift, Bryn Guse, Morgan Hanlin, Miriam Bitter, Annika Johnson and Eli Hanlin. The volunteer project was organized through Student Nutrition Services, Student Health Services and the RWHS Food Shelf.

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

Tuesday, Nov. 26: Fundraising for Equality during lunch.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 28-29: Thanksgiving break.

Friday, Nov. 29: 5 p.m. Jazz Lab and Ovation perform at Holiday Stroll.

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: Nov. 25-27.

Activities: gowingers.com

OK Factor -- featuring the new-classical crossover of cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Colahan -- performed for Tower View students on Wednesday, Nov. 20, courtesy of the Sheldon Theatre. Both are trained music educators.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

154 Tower View Drive

Office: 651-388-8963

Webpage: Tower View

Flow, saturation, color combinations. Lots to learn when creating drip painting projects. Above are projects from grade 5 students. Below are sixth graders with their work.

Twin Bluff has completed Family and Consumer Science Lab renovations. The ADA-compliant kitchen is fully functional. Thank you to the many people who donated, including the Red Wing Public Schools Foundation, to make this project possible.

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

Tuesday, Nov. 26: Trimester 1 ends.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 28-29: Thanksgiving break.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

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

Twin Bluff newsletter: November.

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

Phone: 651-385-4530

Webpage: Twin Bluff

Third graders in the Lahammer, Strandberg, Pottinger and Glover classrooms performed Nov. 20. The following day students in the Frantti, Harding and Albers classrooms had their turn.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Tuesday, Nov. 26: Second grade to the Minnesota Zoo.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 28-29: Thanksgiving break.

Dec. 3: Sustainable Safari presentation for grade 3.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

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

Burnside Bulletin newsletter: November and mid-month update

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

Phone: 651-385-4700

Kids Junction: 651-385-4709

Webpage: Burnside Elementary School

Sunnyside students came classroom by classroom to place their handprints on a tipi that will grace the school grounds come spring. American Indian Parent Advisory Committee members, including Chair Jasmine Fiddler, and Native American Student Association members helped the students place their prints. Students could see photos from the Red Wing High School tipi to get an idea of how the Sunnyside tipi will look. Tipi in Dakota means “for living in" or "dwelling," and the Sunnyside tipi will be provide an outdoor learning space, Fiddler said.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 28-29: Thanksgiving break.

Friday, Dec. 6: Kindergarten candy houses.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

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

Sunnyside Newsletter: November.

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

Phone: 651-385-4570

Kids Junction: 651-385-4587

Webpage: Sunnyside webpage

Jessica Vlcek's 4 year old preschool class tell the story of The Three Little Pigs on the flannel board. Students are studying the letter P.

COLVILL CALENDAR

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 28-29: Thanksgiving break.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Colvill webpage

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

Phone: 651-385-8000

Red Wing Fire Department provided this month's mystery servers. Firefighter/paramedics volunteered in the Sunnyside and Twin Bluff cafeterias. Thank you!

Many classes await you this fall. To view the catalog, click the front cover photo, make your selections and then register.

YOUTH CLASSES

Monday, Dec. 2: Holiday Themed Cookie Decorating, grades 3-8.

Tuesday, Dec. 3: Christmas Ornaments in Clay, ages 13+.

Saturday, Dec. 7: Open Swim & Gym.

Monday, Dec. 9: Festive Cookie Decorating Fun, graces K-1.

Wednesday, Dec. 11: Festive Cookie Decorating Fun, grades 2-4.

ADULT CLASSES

Sunday, Dec. 1: Intro to Olympic Style Air Pistol.

Tuesday, Dec 3: How to Use Venmo Safely (online).

Thursday, Dec. 5: Christmas in Krakow (online).

Saturday, Dec. 7: MN Permit to Carry Certification.

Wednesday, Dec. 11: Make Your Own Holiday Planter.

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

Phone: 651-385-4565

Sunnyside Elementary School's therapy dog program was in the Student & School Showcase during the Red Wing School Board's Nov. 8 meeting. Studies have shown that student interaction with therapy animals can improve social skills, reduce stress and increase confidence. Pictured are (kneeling, from left) special education teacher Ashlyn Werner with Archive, psychologist Molly Paulson with Gus and School Board member Pam Roe, who was instrumental in drafting the district's therapy and service animal policies; (back) Superintendent Bob Jaszczak, board members Jennifer Tift, Rachel Marshall Schoenfelder, Anna Ostendorf, Terese Bjornstad and Jim Bryant.

The School Board accepted the following grants and donations in November:

• 3M, $33,892, districtwide general classroom supplies.
• Anonymous, $3,000, Aim to Achieve, Adults with Disabilities Program/Community Education.
• T Mobile, $5,000, Red Wing High School athletics.

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

Thursday-Friday, Nov. 28-29: Thanksgiving break.

Monday, Dec. 2: Red Wing School Board, 5 p.m., workshop in Red Wing High School room J108; regular meeting, 6 p.m., RWHS 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