Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256
Jan. 11, 2026
Spotlight
Bread in some form is universal. Perhaps it's not surprising then that multilingual learner teacher Casey O'Donnell bakes in his free time.
With learning comes student self-assurance
GET TO KNOW CASEY O'DONNELL
Casey O’Donnell had taught in Cannon Falls and Zumbrota-Mazeppa for eight years he when saw an opportunity in 2024 to slide over to Red Wing. The split schedule had prevented him from coaching and “feeling plugged into the community.” Now he’s able to do more of both while teaching multilingual learners at Twin Bluff Middle School.
“And on top of that, the staff and admin at TBMS are absolutely delightful to work with. They are all so kind and clever. I don’t think I have ever shared as many laughs with colleagues as I did last year,” he said.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
As an ML teacher, I get to see tremendous growth in students’ academic abilities and personalities. Oftentimes, when new-to-country students arrive, they are very timid and quiet. After about a year, though, the students really start to come out of their proverbial shells and engage. Friendships with other classmates start forming and routines get set. Before long, these students who seemed so lost and overwhelmed at first now carry themselves with much more confidence and self-assurance. It’s really amazing to witness and be a part of.
How do you connect with students?
I feel like I share many similar interests with my students. I talk a lot about sports, house pets, and cooking. I know it seems pretty simple, but students tend to like being asked a lot of questions. Also, having rewards, like popcorn and review board games, typically goes over pretty well.
How do you spend your free time?
I do a few things to pass the time. I like to play guitar and bake bread. During the winter months, I try to get outside and go cross-country skiing, especially on the weekends. We haven’t had a ton of snow for the past two years, so I’m thrilled to see some white fluff.
What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies?
I wonder what circumstances would bring about my extended stay on a desert island – accident or exile? Regardless, as far as books go, I would probably take John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath” or Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina.” If I’m gonna be there for a while, I’ll need a good book with a bit of heft to it.
Flight Path 2030
Join the community forum Monday night
Red Wing Public Schools has rescheduled the Flight Path 2030 Community Forum to Jan. 12, 2026. Postponed due to harsh winter weather last month, this special event will delve into our district's five-year journey to become a Center of Excellence in AI-Integrated Computing Education — and we want you to be part of it.
- Who should attend: Students, parents, staff, admin, partners, and community members — you!
- What to expect: The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. in Hovda Hall with an engaging fireside chat featuring two inspiring experts — Jennifer Rosato, director of the Northern Lights Collaborative for Computing Education at the University of Minnesota; and Hannah Weissman, manager of Strategic Initiatives at Data Science 4 Everyone (DS4E) based at the University of Chicago
- When and where: Red Wing High School doors open at 5 p.m., with the program beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by great conversation with fellow community members. We will offer a snack bar in the cafeteria.
- Why come? This forum marks the beginning of an important community conversation about Flight Path 2030 — our vision that every Winger will graduate digitally fluent, ethically grounded, and future-ready. Come discover why this initiative matters and how it's already creating new opportunities for Red Wing students.
- What if iwinter strikes again? We will shift to a virtual option.
We'd be delighted to see you there! Registrations are encouraged but not required. RSVP today via the button below or email communications@rwps.org.
Our schools
Red Wing High School
Readers' theater brings words to life
"Once Upon a Mattress" cast members conducted readers' theater events in fourth-grade classrooms before winter break. This type of activity involving dramatic portrayals with the memorization helps students gain oral reading fluency while also having fun. High school actors will stage their production of "Once Upon a Mattress" at the Sheldon Theatre Jan. 22-25.Get your tickets now.
CALENDAR
Monday, Jan. 12: Flight Path 2030 Community Forum, 5:30 p.m., Hovda Hall; a quorum of Red Wing School Board members may be present.
Tuesday, Jan. 13: Club day.
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Finals in hours 1, 3, 5, 7.
Thursday, Jan. 15: Finals in hours 2, 4, 6
Friday, Jan. 16: First semester ends.
Monday, Jan.19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no school for students.
IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION
RWHS Student Newsletter Jan. 12-16
RWHS Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays
Phone: 651-385-4700
Webpages: Red Wing High School and and Class of 2026
Put STEM exploration into your summer
APPLICATIONS DUE JAN. 19
The future is for innovators and the future is yours to explore! Flight Path 2030 and Milwaukee School of Engineering invite RWHS students in grades 9-11 to apply for a scholarship to attend one of several summer STEM programs. These scholarships are part of Flight Path 2030's long-term commitment to ensure RWHS students are prepared for success in computing, data, and artificial intelligence.
What the scholarships cover:
Tuition and program fees for selected MSOE summer experiences including Explore, Focus, and Women in Technology.
(Please note the Focus camps for Business, Nursing or Health Professions are not currently included in this scholarship program.)Meals, Entertainment, and Housing is included in tuition.
Travel stipend to cover round-trip Amtrak train tickets (travel to and from the train station provided by MSOE).
Applications are due Jan. 19. Click to learn more and apply.
Tower View Alternative High School
TOWER VIEW CALENDAR
Monday, Jan. 12: Flight Path 2030 Community Forum, 5:30 p.m., RWHS; a quorum of School Board members may be present.
Friday, Jan. 16: First semester ends.
Monday, Jan.19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no school for students.
IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION
Webpages: Tower View and Class of 2026
Tower View Office hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 651-388-8963
Twin Bluff Middle School
TWIN BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL CALENDAR
Monday, Jan. 12: Flight Path 2030 Community Forum, 5:30 p.m., RWHS; a quorum of School Board members may be present.
Friday, Jan. 16: PBIS Assembly.
Monday, Jan.19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no school for students.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS
Twin Bluff Newsletter: January
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-4530
Burnside Elementary School
G'day, mates!
Jill Cody's grade 2 students are studying the country and continent of Australia.
BURNSIDE CALENDAR
Monday, Jan. 12: Flight Path 2030 Community Forum, 5:30 p.m., RWHS; a quorum of School Board members may be present.
Friday, Jan. 16: First semester ends.
Monday, Jan.19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no school for students.
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 Elementary School
SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR
Monday, Jan. 12: Flight Path 2030 Community Forum, 5:30 p.m., RWHS; a quorum of School Board members may be present.
Friday, Jan. 16: First semester ends.
Monday, Jan.19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no school for students.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS
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
Colvill Family Center
COLVILL CALENDAR
Tuesday, Jan. 13: Little Wingers registration, 3:45-6 p.m.
Monday, Jan.19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no school for students.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS
Click on the ECFE program cover to see classes.
Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-8000
Webpage: Colvill Family Center
Community Education & Recreation
Registration is underway for winter/spring classes
Registration for winter/spring Community Education & Recreation classes have begun. Checkout the offerings by clicking on the catalog cover.
YOUTH CLASSES INCLUDE
Jan. 13: Intro to Wrestling, ages 5-10.
Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, ages 4-13.
Jan. 14: 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+.
Jan. 17: Winger Cheer Clinic, graces K-7
Jan. 18: Winter Soccer Futsal, grades K-6.
Jan. 19: Swim Lessons - Levels 0-3.
Jan. 20: Driver's Education Classroom.
Jan. 20 and 22: Pipe Cleaner Creatures, grades K-4.
Jan. 21: Girl's Fast Pitch Softball Clinic, ages 6-13.
ADULT CLASSES INCLUDE
Jan. 13: Soup & Chowder.
IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION
Community Education webpage
Red Wing Community Education Facebook
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Phone: 651-385-4565
District News
DISTRICT CALENDAR
Monday, Jan. 12: Flight Path 2030 Community Forum, 5:30 p.m., Red Wing High School auditorium; a quorum of School Board members might be present.
Wednesday-Friday, Jan. 14-16: Minnesota School Boards Association annual convention; a quorum of School Board members will attend.
Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no school for students.
Tuesday, Jan. 27: Red Wing School Board, 5 p.m., Red Wing High School J110.
IMPORTANT LINKS & INFORMATION:
District Office
2451 Eagle Ridge Drive
Red Wing, MN 55066
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Phone: 651-385-4500
Website: www.rwps.org
About our district
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