Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

Leah Ryan is a special education teacher at Burnside Elementary School. Her special partner is therapy dog Daisy.

Now in her fourth year at Burnside Elementary School, where she started the BEST program, special education teacher Leah Ryan strives to help her students find their best success -- of course!

“I’m deeply committed to fostering a safe, non-judgmental environment that encourages my students to learn self-awareness, find success in their learning, and develop resilience,” she said. “I’m lucky to be able to use innovative and ‘out of the box’ ways of thinking to make learning exciting and engaging, to reach each unique learner. This blend of fostering a supportive environment and exploring creative teaching strategies not only enriches my students' experiences but also makes my work fulfilling and enjoyable every single day.”

When did you realize that you wanted to teach?

When I was in 5th grade one teacher provided the opportunity to her students to work within a special education classroom. This simple exposure uncovered my desire and compassion for those who needed additional support, time, and understanding.

As a child I faced my own reading challenges and discovered as an adult that I am dyslexic and was diagnosed as ADHD. The difficulties I had as a child deepened my empathy, connection, and patience for those who struggle with learning within the traditional educational setting.

What about your work gets you up and going in the morning?

I LOVE my job! Each day is a whirlwind of challenges, making it anything but boring or predictable. I thrive on the opportunity to navigate and problem-solve for the success of each student.

I'm fortunate to work alongside two incredible paraprofessionals and a supportive administration who always have my back. The humor and positivity of my colleagues inspire me to rise and shine every morning.

Photo: Daisy's job is to make the school day better.

Meet Ms. DAISY… Ms. Ryan’s therapy dog!

Daisy works wonders by reducing anxiety and bringing joy and calm to everyone at BES … she’s basically a furry stress ball. Daisy is a retired hunting dog and has been a certified therapy dog at BES for two years. She’s also a master at modeling patience and unconditional love.

Daisy spends much of her day on her cozy bed snuggling students or lying in any ray of sunshine she can find. In short, Daisy isn’t just a dog, she is the ultimate peacemaker. When students (or staff) are in distress or simply just need a Daisy break, she’s always willing to share her love. She listens without judgment and makes everyone's job a bit easier!

How do you spend your free time outside of school?

I enjoy anything creative and active. I enjoy working with leather, painting, tending to my chickens and plants … and traveling anywhere and everywhere. I enjoy coaching basketball and cheering on my 3 daughters during their activities. When there is a quiet moment, I love reading “brainy” books.

Holden Graham, Nolan Berghammer, Kendra Sutherland, Sammi Langhans, Kevin Dahlman and Aiden Jasin demonstrate how to create a motion using proper Parliamentary Procedure.

The Red Wing FFA hosted a leadership workshop Nov. 7 for the Red Wing High School. The purpose was to provide training to students who hope to gain leadership roles in their individual sports teams or a club in which they participate.

“We had four different topic areas to learn from,” said workshop facilitator and FFA advisor Bill Emery. “There’s content pulled from local leadership experts as well as state professionals from the FFA. We had a diverse group to help improve personal growth.”

One of this year’s workshops, “Expectations of a Captain,” was put on by coach Neil Newman, a 45 year veteran of high school sports. Participants and Newman collaborated to discover what they can do to support others and achieve the goals they have set.

A highlight was Kevin Dahlman, a state parliamentarian and expert on how to conduct a meeting. Dahlman led the students in the demonstration on how to conduct business in a professional meeting. Other presentations were given on “Conflict Resolution” and “Belonging.”

“I just hope they take one thing away from each workshop that will impact their lives in a positive way,” Emery said. “When they go back to their own groups, they will spread what they learned and hopefully they can give back to their teams and to Red Wing.

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

Tuesday, Nov. 19: Southeast Winona campus trip.

Wednesday, Nov. 20: Enrichment advisory schedule.

Thursday, Nov. 21: Southeast Winona campus trip.

Friday, Nov. 22: Activities grade check.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

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

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. 18-23.

Activities: gowingers.com

Students had an outdoor cleanup day Friday, Nov. 8.Tower View students help the Anderson Center prepare for the winter by raking leaves, moving furniture, and picking up garbage around the property. We had a beautiful day for it and the students had fun working outside together.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

154 Tower View Drive

Office: 651-388-8963

Webpage: Tower View

Twin Bluff Middle School held a Veterans Day assembly Monday, Nov. 11. Winger alumni Tre Moore (far right) spoke to students. He is pictured with fellow veterans and TBMS staff members Melissa Hoppman, Bri Smith, Debra Brooks and Patrick Beierman.

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

Friday, Nov. 22: Grade 6 field trip to Minnesota History Center and Capitol.

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

Second grade classrooms had a morning meeting assembly Wednesday, Nov. 13, about respect. Each student created a puzzle piece to fit into a giant puzzle being assembled for the school. Burnside School emphasizes every day the need to be safe, kind and responsible. See more photos on the Burnside Facebook page.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Wednesday, Nov. 20: Grade 3 concerts, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Lahammer, Strandberg, Pottinger and Glover classes.

Thursday, Nov. 21: Grade 3 concerts, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Frantti, Harding and Albers classes.

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

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

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

Burnside Bulletin newsletter: November.

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

Phone: 651-385-4700

Kids Junction: 651-385-4709

Webpage: Burnside Elementary School

Veterans Day was Nov. 11. Sunnyside students created a wall of stars as tribute to veterans. Each star recognizes and honors a veteran we know.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

Tuesday, Nov. 19: Picture retake day.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

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

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

Red Wing Police Department officers, including school resource officer Megan Bettich, visited the 4 year old preschool class. Checking out a squad car was a highlight.

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

The Community Education & Recreation Advisory Council will meet at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Red Wing High School room J110. The council includes (from left) Vice Chair Michael Lickness Holmes, Michelle Leise, Anne Robertson, Randii Waddell, Heather Lawrenz, Chair Bryan Soper, Robin Wipperling, Dawn Laffey, Bethany Nelson, Seth Flatten, Samantha Whipple, School Board representative Anna Ostendorf, Rachel Rapp, Amy Smith, Mark Ryan, Dan Brower and Daryl Mark. . Not pictured Nicolle Mechelke.

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

YOUTH CLASSES

Tuesday, Nov. 19: Acrylic Painting Class, grades 5-7.

Friday, Nov. 22: Autumn Adventure Scavenger Hunt, grades K-4.

Saturday, Nov. 23: Disney on Ice - Mickey’s Search Party.

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

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

ADULT CLASSES

Monday, Nov 18: Watercolor Card with Bethany.

Tuesday, Nov. 19: Fused Glass Bowl or Large Plate Making Class.

Wednesday, Nov. 20: Coping with Mental Health Conditions, ages 18+.

Sunday, Nov. 24: Forging the Mouse Hawk.

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

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

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

Phone: 651-385-4565

Red Wing Public Schools is seeking volunteers to serve as bus monitors. Bus drivers and our volunteer monitors provide the first and last interactions with most of our students every day – and a positive start and end to the school day can make all the difference in the world to academic success.

Help us help them. To Learn more download the Volunteer Bus Monitor description below. Please note that these volunteer positions do require a background check.

The Prairie Island Indian Community and Red Wing Public Schools have a cooperative agreement that places liaisons in local schools. The Tribal Council recently voted to add three positions. Applications are now open.

The individuals hired will work with the current liaisons: Mitch Skeen at RWHS, Leah Johnson at TBMS and Ana Pena-Marcelino at the elementary schools.

The Student & School Showcase will feature Sunnyside Elementary School’s therapy dog program this week. The Red Wing School Board will convene its business meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, in Red Wing High School room J110. Molly Paulson and Ashlyn Werner will Introduce Gus and Archie.

The business meeting’s agenda will also include:

• The gymnastics program.
• Busing concerns.
• Election results.

Board members will hold a workshop at 5 p.m. Busing will be among the topics discussed.

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

Find the full agendas for both the meeting and workshop on the BoardBook.

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Monday, Nov. 18: Red Wing School Board, 5 p.m., workshop in Red Wing High School room J108; regular meeting, 6 p.m., RWHS room J110.

Tuesday, Nov. 19: Agenda/Personnel Committee, 9:15 a.m., District Office.

Wednesday, Nov. 27: No school.

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

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