Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

Nikki Roschen, aka Frau Roschen, poses with some of her German IV students. "As a senior in high school, I was a part of the first ever College in the Schools German course in the state, which allowed us to earn 10 college credits through the University of Minnesota. Things have come full circle … now I am teaching that course and helping students earn 10 college credits in their fourth year of German study," she said.

When Nikki Roschen graduated with a degree in business communications, psychology, and German from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, she went on to work as a human resources manager for five years.

"I realized the most fulfilling part of my job was the training and education aspect. I went back to school and obtained my master’s degree in education. I am so glad I decided to change careers, as teaching has been so rewarding," she said.

Today, that combination of skills still serves her well: She has taught social studies, German language, coached sports and advised the Student Council.

The big thing on her plate this coming week? Homecoming!

When you were attending Red Wing High School did you ever envision teaching here?

Ironically, when attending high school, I had many interests and activities and I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career. The one field I ruled out was teaching.

I am glad I kept an open mind and realized education was where I was meant to be! It has definitely been rewarding teaching in the community where I grew up, and when I first started teaching, it was fun to teach alongside my former teachers.

What prompted you to become a German language teacher?

Honestly, I didn’t think I would actually use my German degree. When I went back to get my teaching license, I knew I would pursue social studies because of my passion for history and the social sciences like psychology.

I always thoroughly enjoyed all my German classes, starting right away with grade 7 and having “Frau” Orr. (Shelley Orr was then “Fräulein” Weiss.) I vividly remember that first day in junior high, when she walked in wearing a German dirndl. She piqued my interest and that enthusiasm never left me. Frau Orr was an inspirational teacher, who always had creative lessons and projects.

How did you grow into the additional role of Student Council adviser?

When I started teaching 24 years ago, I was the adviser for a few years, then stepped away from Student Council and coaching when I had my own children, as these roles can be quite time consuming.

I guide student leaders to promote a positive culture in our school and community. Activities we are involved in planning include Homecoming, charity fundraisers, holiday events, Snow Week, Senior Week and service projects. The students also attend leadership conferences and work on school-related issues.

Homecoming is early this year. What are some highlights you’re looking forward to this week?

It is amazing working with our student leaders and witnessing their dedication to making Homecoming a memorable experience for the whole school and community.

On Sunday, students will decorate the pods according to the various dress-up day themes.

On Wednesday, many high school students – fall sports’ captains, the pep band, leaders from clubs and activities, Student Council, and royalty – will travel to the other schools to spread Winger spirit . This is an excellent tradition, as it provides a way for high school students to instill Winger pride in our younger students.

For Wednesday night’s powder puff and volleyball tournament, we usually have over 100 students participate. Of course, it’s always fun to see if the seniors can come out victorious!

On Friday students will be wearing their Homecoming T-shirts. The pep fest will feature friendly, fun competitions, a staff dance, a senior boys’ dance, and a boys’ volleyball championship of seniors versus juniors.

The high school organizations and clubs have been helping to plan a tailgating experience for the community from 5-7 p.m. before the football game; there will be food trucks, yard games, a bouncy house, gaga pit, 9 square, and more!

When the week is over, Student Council members, students, and staff can be proud of the collaboration and positive culture they have worked so hard to promote!

What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

I have three children, twin daughters who are 20 and a son who is a sophomore at RWHS. When I’m not at school, I enjoy vacationing with my children and husband, attending my children’s sports and activities, playing volleyball, and just hanging out with my family (including our two toy Australian shepherds). We love to have friendly competitions, such as backyard volleyball, pickleball, spike ball, and bean bags.

Larry Yazzie performed the Eagle Dance for high school and middle school students the morning of Sept. 13 and then for elementary students in the afternoon. The dance simulates the eagle's movements, from soaring high to and swooping low.

The first wacipi or powwow in living memory at Red Wing High School was held Saturday, Sept. 14. Dancers and residents came to the stadium throughout the day. But first, Red Wing Public Schools' 2,200 students attended one of two assembles Friday to learn about Native American traditions and what to expect at the community's inaugural He Mni Can Wacipi.

Photo: Larry Yazzie is a member of the Meskwaki tribe in Iowa and an adopted member of the Prairie Island Indian Community.

Cheering voices, stomping feet and clapping hands reverberated throughout the RWHS gymnasium as students and staff alike kept beat of the drum. Larry Yazzie and his Native Pride Productions presented several dances.

Prairie Island Indian Community Education Director Johnny Johnson asked students to pay particular attention to the Eagle Dance and the Buffalo Dance, because both honor animals that the local Dakota community reveres to this day. Red Wing is a place of eagles, Johnson said.

Yazzie explained how the Eagle Dance illustrates this raptor's ability to soar high and swoop low to the ground and water. The Buffalo Dance symbolizes how bison moved around the prairies and under the cottonwood trees, Larry Yazzie said. Other dancers follow, just as Native Americans followed the herds they relied on for survival.

Red Wing Public Schools provides all students in grades K-12 with a Chromebook device to use for learning and collaboration.

This device is the property of Red Wing Public Schools, but students are responsible for keeping their Chromebook in good condition. One way to protect the District's investment and save yourself repair costs is to purchase ChromeCare Protection Plan. This plan is only $15 and can save you hundreds of dollars during the course of the year.

Did you know that nine families already have had to pay $315 each to replace their child's device this fall?

Dozens more have had to pay for repairs. They likely would have paid nothing or only $10 if they had purchased ChromeCare.

Purchase ChromeCare by Sept. 30!

Students in grades 5-12 are eligible for ChromeCare. Students in grades 5-6 transport Chromebooks between classes. Students in grades 8-12 transport their Chromebooks between classes as well as to and from school, much as they do with textbooks. But K-4 students leave their Chromebooks in their classrooms.

For these reasons, only families with students in grades 5-12 are eligible for the ChromeCare Protection Plan. The deadline is Sept. 30.

The League of Women Voters Red Wing will hold a school board candidate forum 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the high school. The event is open to the public, and all 10 board candidates have been invited. In alphabetical order they 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

This will be the first of three candidate forums, all scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Red Wing High School Hovda Hall. On Thursday, Sept. 26, candidates for Red Wing's four open seats -- mayor, Ward 1, Ward 2 and combined Wards 3&4 -- will answer questions. On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Minnesota House District 20A and Goodhue County Board candidates take the stage.

The LWV also has scheduled a candidate meet-and-greet for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in the Red Wing Public Library. This will be an opportunity for voters to meet the candidates informally.

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

HOMECOMING WEEK

Monday, Sept. 16: Pajama day.

Tuesday, Sept. 17: Tropical Tuesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 18: Twin day.

Thursday, Sept. 19: Color wars.

Seniors -- Blue; Juniors -- Pink; Sophomores -- Green; Freshman -- Red; Grade 8 -- Yellow.

Friday, Sept. 20: Spirit/Homecoming shirts.

Football game, 7 p.m.; dance will follow the game.

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: Sept. 16-20

Activities: gowingers.com

Red Wing High School and Tower View Alternative High School will participate in National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 17. League of Women Voters Red Wing is assisting the Red Wing School District is promoting the event.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.1611, subdivision 1(b) reads, in part, "All school districts must make available voter registration applications each May and September to all students registered as students of the school district who will be eligible to vote at the next election after those months."

Minnesota's 2024 Elections Omnibus Law extended pre-registration to students ages 16 and 17.

RWHS and TVAHS will have information tables set up Sept. 17. Both paper and online registration opportunities are planned.

TOWER VIEW CALENDAR

HOMECOMING WEEK

Monday, Sept. 16: Pajama day.

Tuesday, Sept. 17: Tropical Tuesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 18: Twin day.

Thursday, Sept. 19: Color day.

Friday, Sept. 20: Spirit/Homecoming shirts.

Football game, 7 p.m.; dance will follow the game.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

154 Tower View Drive

Office: 651-388-8963

Webpage: Tower View

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

Wednesday, Sept. 18: Pep fest led by high school students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

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

Twin Bluff newsletter: September

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

Phone: 651-385-4530

Webpage: Twin Bluff

Nutrition Services proudly presents the first mystery server of the year at Burnside Elementary.

Who will be wearing the mystery button and serving students beef nachos or max stick with marinara, grape tomatoes, fresh cauliflower and assorted fruit on Tuesday, Sept. 17?

Students, come through the lunch line to find out. In the meantime, here's a clue:

She may have taught your parents!

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

HOMECOMING WEEK

Monday, Sept. 16: Pajama day.

Tuesday, Sept. 17: Neon Tuesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 18: Inside Out day (wear clothing inside out).

Thursday, Sept. 19: Favorite Color day.

Friday, Sept. 20: Winger Pride day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

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

Burnside Bulletin newsletter: September

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

Phone: 651-385-4700

Kids Junction: 651-385-4709

Webpage: Burnside Elementary School

Nutrition Services staff members Kelly Kinneman, Jeni Stern and Barb Smith are familiar faces in the Sunnyside cafeteria. Last week School Board Chair Jim Bryant joined them in serving our students lunch.

Last week Nutrition Services launched its mystery server program. Each month, guests will assist the staff in serving a balanced lunch -- always available free of charge -- to elementary students.

School Board Chair Jim Bryant spent Sept. 11 serving lasagna rollup, salad, baby carrots and assorted fruit.

Students, did you know that Mr. Bryant was an investigator with the Red Wing Police Department? Plus, he owned a business before becoming a school board member.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

HOMECOMING WEEK

Monday, Sept. 16: Pajama day.

Tuesday, Sept. 17: Neon Tuesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 18: Inside Out day (wear clothing inside out).

Thursday, Sept. 19: Favorite Color day.

Friday, Sept. 20: Winger Pride day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

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

Sunnyside Bulletin newsletter: September

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

Phone: 651-385-4570

Kids Junction: 651-385-4587

Webpage: Sunnyside webpage

Colvill Family Center reminds families of children ages 13 and under that Minnesota updated its car seat law effective Aug. 1.

The new guidelines are:

Birth to at least 2 years old:

• ​Rear-facing in an infant or convertible child safety seat.

At least 2 years old AND has outgrown the rear-facing seat with internal harness by height or weight:

• Forward-facing with an internal harness.

4 years old AND has outgrown the forward-facing seat with internal harness by height or​ weight:

• Ride restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat using the lap belt and shoulder belt.

9 years old or has outgrown the booster seat AND the child can pass the five-step test that demonstrates how the seat belt fits correctly:

• Ride restrained with a lap belt and shoulder belt secured correctly on the vehicle seat.

Additionally, children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.

If a child falls into more than one category, then the child must be placed in the safer restraint for them. For example, a child who is 2.5 years old and weighs 35 pounds but has a car seat with a rear-facing limit of 40 pounds must stay rear-facing even though they are over 2 years old. It's very important for parents and caregivers to always read their car seat and vehicle owners' manuals for proper installation.​

COLVILL CALENDAR

HOMECOMING WEEK

Monday, Sept. 16: Pajama day.

Tuesday, Sept. 17: Neon Tuesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 18: Inside Out day (wear clothing inside out).

Thursday, Sept. 19: Favorite Color day.

Friday, Sept. 20: Winger Pride day.

Thursday, Sept. 26: Early childhood screening by appointment.

Open gym, 5:30-7 p.m., please register.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Colvill webpage

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

Phone: 651-385-8000

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

YOUTH CLASSES

Tuesday, Sept. 24: Acrylic Painting Class, grades 5-7.

Wednesdays, Sept. 25-Oct. 6: Intro to Ballet and Tap, ages 3-4;

Intro to Ballet, Tap and Jazz, ages 5-6;

Intro to Jazz and Hip Hop, ages 7+.

Thursdays, Oct. 3-Nov. 14: Intro to Horses at Lost Creek Ranch, ages 7-16

Saturday, Oct 5: Open Swim & Gym

ADULT CLASSES

Wednesday, Sept. 25: Therapeutic Chair Yoga;

Vitamins & Herbs: Facts and Fallacies - Online;

College Planning Essentials.

Tuesday Oct. 1: Grow Your Own Garlic.

Thursday, Oct. 3: Cleaning Up the Photo, Video & Keepsake Clutter: Simple Guided Steps.

Friday, Oct. 4: First Friday - Plant Walks with Nicky Buck, Dakota Knowledge Keeper.

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 651-385-4565

The Red Wing School Board on Monday will certify the property tax levy payable in 2025.

This is routine business required by state law. The board meeting will start at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 in Red Wing High School room J110.

The full agenda is available on the BoardBook. That includes:

• Homecoming activities.
• Administrative reports.

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

Workshop topics

Board members also will hold a workshop starting at 5 p.m. in room J108. The workshop agenda is heavy on infrastructure conversations, namely Jefferson School, the Well at Work Clinic and Prairie Island Arena.

• Individual board members have been asked to bring suggestions and recommendations for the Jefferson building.
• Well at Work Clinic operates out of space that the district leases from RiseUp Red Wing. The district is assessing contractual obligations under the current lease.
• The board will discuss fundraising possibilities for upgrading the Prairie Island Arena's chiller.

In addition, Superintendent Bob Jaszczak and Red Wing High School/Tower View Assistant Principal Robin Pagel will provide information regarding the online courses offered on campus.

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Sept. 16-20: Homecoming week.

Monday, Sept. 16: School Board workshop, 5 p.m., Red Wing High School room J108; regular meeting, 6 p.m., RWHS room J110.

Wednesday, Sept. 18: Agenda/Personnel Committee, 9 a.m., District Office.

Tuesday, Sept. 24: School Board candidate forum, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Red Wing High School.

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

First Student, Red Wing Public Schools’ transportation provider, uses FirstView, a bus tracking and communications app for your smartphone or desktop.

Coverage began the first day of school, Sept. 3, 2024. The app will be up to date with the latest information and able to track your student’s bus.

Please note that no personal identifying information is required or shared -- student name, grade, address, etc.

The district code for 2024-2025 is 7MM5.

The code works for all schools.

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