Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

With his signature "ducks in a row" cap on his knee, custodian Mark Hendrickson enjoys a lighthearted moment with his Colvill Family Center coworkers.

Having exchanged his correctional officer uniform for that of Colvill Family Center custodian, Mark Hendrickson recalls he had no experience in the array of technical challenges awaiting him. The Red Wing Public Schools Building & Grounds team handles everything from heating and cooling to cleaning and mowing. But he had “great people to learn from,” he recalled, and is now wrapping up his 12th year.

What special challenges does caring for Colvill Family Center present?

The building itself is old but very sound. Still old.

What gives you on-the-job satisfaction and why should someone join the Buildings & Ground crew?

When something works out -- whether fixing a unit vent or making the grounds a bit more aesthetically pleasing -- it's is a great feeling.

What are some of the unexpected things you have encountered?

Working with wonderful caring staff who teach preschool children, watching a child learn something new and their face lights up. It's a light bulb moment with the joy that says “Yes, I can do this!” And there are always the hugs from the children.

How do you connect with our youngest students and make their day better?

Just be myself and smile. It is hard not to smile when you are surrounded by great staff and happy kids.

The Red Wing High School Concert Choir will present a world premiere of "Steadfast, Beating" during their performance Thursday, Feb. 13, as the featured choral ensemble at the Minnesota Music Educators Association’s Midwinter Clinic. Community members will have an opportunity to preview the entire concert session -- including the newly commissioned piece by Minnesota-based composer Linda Kachelmeier with text by RWHS English teacher and poet Molly Sutton Kiefer -- at the school’s 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, concert. Performing ensembles Monday will also include Mixed Choir and Bella Voce. "Steadfast, Beating" will then become part of RWHS commencement ceremonies.

Emily Angell and Maria Olson are working as Red Wing Public Schools communications interns this semester through the Winger Flight Paths program.

With college writing, AP literature and English classes behind them, Emily Angell and Maria Olson are now going to do some career exploration through writing.

Both are communications interns in the Red Wing Public Schools District Office. They will write Winger Flight Path student profiles, interviewing their fellow Class of 2025 members who have been placed in businesses, manufacturing facilities, health care centers and more throughout the community. They also will assist with the district’s social media accounts and the website.

“I hope to learn more about the other internships as part of my internship,” Olson said.

Red Wing High School has more than 60 students – from of a class of about 155 – who will be at 50-60 businesses this spring during the second semester. Olson, for example, has a second internship planned at River Blu Salon. She hopes to gain a better understanding of potential career paths by completing internships and writing about them.

Angell intends to major in journalism at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She’s especially interested in social media reporting, ideally for a sports team someday.

“I’m excited for this internship because I want to learn more about what the job might be,” she said, keeping in mind that media and technology are changing quickly.

This is the fourth year that the District Office has had communications interns. A few have gone on to study marketing, one sports photography and another journalism, and one is pursuing a career in travel writing.

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 explain the differences between Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and College in the High School. 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.

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

Monday, Feb. 10: Choir concert with Mixed Choir, Belle Voce and Concert Choir, 7 p.m., Hovda Hall.

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Enrichment/Advisory Day.

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.

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

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. 10-14.

Activities: gowingers.com

Students in Sheena Tisland's Poetry and Spoken Word class create found poems about things that bring them joy or things that represent them. Found poems take existing texts and refashion and reorder them.

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

Time to order your Twin Bluff Middle School yearbook for 2024-2025. Orders need to be placed by April 1. The cost is $25 and payment can be cash, check or online. Forms can be picked up and turned in to the office. Any questions? Contact Christine Stewart at clstewart@rwps.org.

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

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

Friday, Feb. 14: PBIS Assembly.

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

Wednesday, Feb. 5, was Winter Walk Day throughout Minnesota. Burnside students observed the day by holding a winter version of Bus Stop and Walk, which typically runs in the autumn and spring.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Now to Feb. 14: APEX fundraiser.

Monday, Feb. 10: Kindergarten enrollment, 6-7 p.m., Sunnyside Elementary School.

Tuesday, Feb. 11: Target Time begins,

Thursday, Feb. 13: 100th day of school! APEX event.

Monday, Feb. 17: Presidents Day; 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

The Sustainable Safari brought wildlife to Sunnyside on Thursday, Feb. 6. Students learned about a variety of animals and had opportunities to touch them. Sustainable Safari, based in the Twin Cities, educates people of all ages about natural history and sustainability practices.

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year will kick off on Monday, Feb. 10, from 6-7 p.m. at Sunnyside. If you have an incoming kindergarten student, please join us for an informational session and a chance to complete district enrollment forms. This session is geared more for parents than students, so please don't feel as though your child needs to attend.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

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

Thursday, Feb. 13: 100th Day of School.

Friday, Feb. 14: I Love to Read Month features Read with a Buddy Day.

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

Early childhood screening continues as the days grow longer. This screening is required for entrance in Minnesota’s public schools and must take place between age 3 and kindergarten.

Please call 651-385-8000 to sign up for a screening date/time for your child. Screening is offered monthly at Colvill Family Center throughout the school year. Dates are:

2025 -- Feb. 20; March13 and 27; April 10 and 24; and May 14 and 15.

Screening is a quick, no-cost check of a child's vision and hearing, height and weight, immunization record and a review of health care coverage. Screeners also look for risk factors that may impact learning, such as use of large and small muscles, thinking, language and speaking skills. The screening includes a parent/guardian report of social-emotional development and a summary meeting.

Early childhood screening provides the best opportunity for any health or developmental concerns to be found early.

COLVILL CALENDAR

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. 11: Clay Exploration on the Wheel, ages 15 +.

Thursday, Feb. 13: Burnside After School Food Fun - Owl Rice Cakes, grades 2-4.

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 and Mini March Madness, grades 1-2.

ADULT CLASSES

Tuesday, Feb. 11: My Kid Wants to be a YouTuber - Help!

Clay Exploration on the Wheel, ages 15+.

Simple Savory Soup.

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

Thursday, Feb. 20: Vision Board Class.

Saturday, Feb. 22: Fused Glass Sun Catcher and Fused Glass Garden Stakes.

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

Phone: 651-385-4565

DISTRICT CALENDAR

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