Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

No one can deny that cell phones are incredibly powerful tools. They also have a massive impact on the lives of students.

The first chapter in Jonathan Heidt’s 2024 book “The Anxious Generation” is titled “The Surge of Suffering,” and it details the increase in mental health issues in school age children around the globe since 2010. What is significant about 2010? This is the beginning of the time when nearly every child above a certain age had a smartphone in their pocket, allowing them to be online virtually 24/7. 2010 also coincides with the introduction of the iPhone 4 that had the first forward-facing camera that has made it much easier for people to take pictures and videos of themselves and others.

I have probably read a hundred newspaper and magazine articles and books that have spoken about the negative impact of cell phones and social media on students. Girls in particular have been negatively impacted by social media and have seen the greatest increase in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Boys are impacted as well as they increasingly view the world through online video games and pornographic images. All children have seen a decrease in resiliency and their ability to put forth sustained effort when dealing with challenges.

The District will seek public input as we draft a new policy

The question now becomes, how can schools minimize the disruption of cell phones during the school day, while recognizing that cell phones are going to remain a part of all of our lives.

As with many issues today, there are extreme views on both ends of the spectrum. Some people believe that there should be no restrictions on the use of cell phones, while others would say phones should stay at home, never to be seen on school grounds.

This is where the work begins. The 2024 Minnesota Legislature passed a law that requires school districts adopt a policy on students’ possession and use of cell phones by March 15, 2025.

It is important to seek input from students, staff, and the community as the policy is developed, so meetings will be held as Red Wing Public Schools’ creates its first draft. This work will begin as soon as the new school year gets underway. The goal is to create a policy that supports the best possible learning environment, as well as their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Bob Jaszczak

Superintendent of Red Wing Public Schools

Voters will choose four school board members from a field of 10 candidates. The filing window closed on Tuesday, Aug. 13, with half of the candidates filing that day. The candidates in alphabetical order are:

Kayla Anderson

Stan "Stosh" Doty

Kim L. Hudson

Jeremy Koenig

Lisa Larsin

Michael Jay Lickness/Holmes

Ryan Riester

Jennifer Tift

Phillip White

Natasha Yates

The League of Women Voters will hold a forum at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in Red Wing High School's Hovda Hall.

The election will be Nov. 5.

Minnesota’s Rural Voice program will come to Red Wing on Sept. 5 to spark conversation and elevate local perspectives.

The second stop in the Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund's 2024 Rural Voice season, the Red Wing event is titled “How to Build More Civic-minded Communities.”

Red Wing area resident members are invited to join the conversation at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Sheldon Theatre with Dr. Brian Klaas, an associate professor in Global Politics at University College London.

Klaas is a contributing writer for The Atlantic and frequently appears on national and international television. A Minnesota native, he is the author of several books including "Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters" (2024) and "Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us" (2021).

Red Wing Community Education & Recreation is a cosponsor for the event. Rural Voice will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Sheldon Theatre and is free and open to all.

LOOK FOR THE FALL BROCHURE COMING AFTER LABOR DAY

UPCOMING YOUTH CLASSES

Wednesday, Aug. 21: Fun on the Farm, ages 5-10, 9-11 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24: Fun on the Farm, ages 5-10, 9-11 a.m.

UPCOMING ADULT CLASSES

Wednesday, Aug. 14: One Stroke Painting Class, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday-Thursday, Aug. 21-22: MN Permit to Carry a Firearm, 5:30-9 p.m., two sessions.

Tuesday, Aug 27: The A, B, C, and D's of Medicare, 4-6 p.m.

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

Phone: 651-385-4565

• Hispanic student open house in Spanish will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Twin Bluff Middle School. This is for all Hispanic families regardless of which school their child attends.
• Colvill Family Center will offer Meet the Teacher sessions Wednesday, Aug. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 3. People should call the center at 651-385-8000 to schedule a time.
• Sunnyside Elementary School mini-conferences will be Wednesday, Aug. 28. There is one time slot for each child. Parents/guardians will find information in their student's placement letter.
• Burnside Elementary School mini-conferences will be Wednesday, Aug. 28. There is one time slot for each child. Parents/guardians will find information in their student's placement letter.
• Twin Bluff Middle School will hold an open house Thursday, Aug. 29, from noon to 7 p.m.
• Red Wing High School will hold picture day during the back-to-school open House on Aug. 29. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., which a lunch break for staff noon to 1 p.m.
• Tower View High School will hold an open House on Aug. 29. Hours are 11 a.m. to noon and 1-7 p.m.

Homecoming will be Sept. 20 this year.

If your student is interested in wearing a T-shirt specific to their grade to show their school spirit, you can place an order through Carlson's online store. You must place your order by 11:50 p.m. Sept 4.

T-shirts will be distributed during lunches the week of homecoming starting on Sept. 17. Please click on the link below to place an order.

Shirts are intended for high school students only.

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

Thursday, Aug. 22: Teachers report.

Thursday, Aug. 29: Open house and photo day, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 3: First day of school.

Friday, Sept. 13: American Indian education day in preparation for communitywide wacipi at RWHS.

Saturday, Sept. 14: He Mni Can Wacipi.

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

Tower View Alternative High School is officially under the auspices of Red Wing Public Schools beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year. The Minnesota Department of Education approved the District's application on Aug. 8.

The transition from Goodhue County Education District to RWPS will be fairly seamless.

There will be an open house 11 a.m. to noon and 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.

Tower View students are encouraged to swing by Red Wing High School during the open house there to have a school portrait taken. The photo will be used for student identification badges and, if students choose, the yearbook as well.

Open house details

Tower View

163 Tower View Drive

Thursday, Aug. 29

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (lunch break for staff noon to 1 p.m.)

TOWER VIEW CALENDAR

Thursday, Aug. 22: Teachers report.

Thursday, Aug. 29: Open house 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (staff lunch break is noon to 1 p.m. )

Tuesday, Sept. 3: First day of classes.

Important links and information

154 Tower View Drive

Office: 651-388-8963

Webpage: Tower View

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

Thursday, Aug. 29: Open house/mini conferences.

Tuesday, Sept. 3: First day of school.

Important information and links:

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

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

Phone: 651-385-4530

Webpage: Twin Bluff

Students helped incoming students during the "sneak peek" event last spring. Principal Jen Grove is again looking for students to help at the Aug. 28 mini-conference day.

Principal Jen Grove is looking for incoming fourth grade volunteers to assist at the Burnside open house on Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Students would

• help with tours, if requested,
• would be in the second grade wing to be friendly faces, and
• be available to assist at the Burnside photo booth.

Mrs. Grove is looking for help in to two-hour increments: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 1-3 p.m., 3-5 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Interested students should have their parents/guardians contact Mrs. Grove at jpgrove@rwps.org or 651-385-4700.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Thursday, Aug. 22: Teachers report.

Wednesday, Aug. 28: Mini-conferences.

Tuesday, Sept. 3: First day of school.

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 CALENDAR

Thursday, Aug. 22: Teachers report.

Wednesday, Aug. 28: Mini-conferences.

Tuesday, Sept. 3: First day of school for all first graders and half of kindergarten.

Wednesday, Sept. 4: First day of school for half of kindergarten.

Important information and links:

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

Phone: 651-385-4570

Kids Junction: 651-385-4587

Webpage: Sunnyside webpage

COLVILL CALENDAR

Wednesday, Aug. 28: Meet the Teacher; call for an appointment.

Tuesday, Sept. 3: Meet the Teacher; call for an appointment.

Thursday, Sept. 5: First day of classes.

Important links and information:

Colvill webpage

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

Phone: 651-385-8000

Dear Red Wing Public Schools families,

As the new school year begins, supporting our youth's mental health is more important than ever. The new school year can bring feelings of both anxiety and excitement as students transition into a new grade, perhaps a new school, and are all in turn learning and growing into who they are.

We have provided a back-to-school resource packet for parents and teachers who are navigating through this time.

By working together, we can create an environment where our children thrive. The District is connected with Care Solace, which offers valuable mental health care coordination services to connect you with community-based providers for counseling, therapy, and more.

To access Care Solace:

• Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
• Visit www.caresolace.com/rwps: Explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance.

By joining hands as a community, we can provide a nurturing environment that supports the mental health and well-being of our youth. Let's prioritize their emotional growth and create a brighter future together.

Thank you for being dedicated parents in the Red Wing Public Schools community. Your commitment to our youth is truly commendable.

Watch the video above to learn how to complete the Educational Benefits application online.

Supply lists are now available for the elementary, middle and high schools.

Two English language learner teachers will join Director of Teaching & Learning Emily Seefeldt in providing an overview of the Language Instruction Educational Program or LIEP when the Red Wing School Board meets for a workshop at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 in Red Wing High School room J108.

Districts are required to have LIEP for those students learning English as an additional language. Teachers Bethany Jasin and Kelly Hassemer will explain how the English language (EL) program goal helps to develop students’ communicative and academic language skills in English and in their home language. This is to ensure that students will be able to access the same challenging grade-level academic content as their peers.

The workshop agenda also will include:

• Finance update.
• Enrollment numbers.
• Jefferson School.

Business meeting

Following the workshop, the board will conduct a business meeting at 6 p.m. in room J110. Superintendent Bob Jaszczak will outline the start of the school year and highlight preparations for Day 1, Sept. 3.

Board members also will discuss enrollment and options for Jefferson School.

Find the board’s complete agenda here.

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

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Monday, Aug. 19: New teachers report.

School Board, 5 p.m. workshop, Red Wing High School J108; 6 p.m. meeting, RWHS J110.

Thursday, Aug. 22: All teachers report.

Monday, Aug. 26: All-staff kickoff, 8 a.m., followed by activities and workshop; school offices closed. A quorum of School Board may be present.

Important links & information:

District Office

2451 Eagle Ridge Drive

Red Wing, MN 55066

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