Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

At our school, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities. To ensure a clear, efficient, and unified response during emergency situations, we utilize the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by The "I Love U Guys" Foundation. By establishing standard terminology across students, staff, and first responders, the SRP helps ensure everyone responds quickly and effectively in any scenario.

The SRP centers on five key directives. During an incident, the school delivers a specific command followed by directives for staff and students:

1. Stay engaged with safety updates: Watch future newsletters for more safety information, including details on ALICE protocols and upcoming drill schedules.

2. Stay informed: Monitor official district emails, text messages, and school announcements for official updates. Avoid relying on unverified social media reports.

3. Do not rush to campus: Arriving at the school during an active incident can block emergency vehicles and compromise safety parameters.

4. Keep phone lines clear: Avoid calling your child or the school's front office directly during a Lockdown or Secure event. Silence is critical in classrooms, and phone lines must remain open for emergency coordination.

We regularly practice safety drills so our students and staff feel confident, empowered, and prepared. In full alignment with Minnesota State Statutes (Minn. Stat. § 121A.035, § 121A.037, and § 121A.038), our school conducts a comprehensive schedule of safety drills each academic year:

• Required annual drills: Minnesota law mandates a minimum of 5 Lockdown drills, 5 Fire drills, and 1 Tornado drill annually.

• Age-appropriate & developmentally adapted: All safety instruction and drills are tailored to be accessible, trauma-informed, and age-appropriate across early childhood through 12th grade. We utilize standard, reassuring language so younger students understand safety routines without experiencing fear or anxiety. Accommodations are provided for students with sensory needs, physical disabilities, or specific mental health requirements.

• No simulated hazards: In accordance with Minnesota standards, student safety drills focus purely on practicing response actions. They never include loud simulated gunshots, law enforcement tactical roleplays, or alarming sensory elements.

• Prior communication & advance notice: We believe transparent communication with families builds trust and reduces stress. Parents and legal guardians will receive advance notification prior to scheduled lockdown safety drills, detailing the scope of the exercise and outlining your right to opt your student out if desired. An announcement is also made in the school building immediately before a drill begins to reassure students that there is no active danger.

• Student debrief & support: Following any active safety drill, teachers dedicate time for an immediate classroom debrief before regular learning resumes. During and after drills, school counselors, social workers, and mental health staff are readily available to support any students who need extra assistance.

We view these drills as vital "muscle memory" exercises, similar to practicing a fire drill, ensuring our entire school community stays safe and prepared. If you have any questions regarding our safety protocols, please contact our Emergency Response Coordinators:

• Anne Robertson: akrobertson@rwps.org | 651-385-4552

• Kelsie Kuyath: klkuyath@rwps.org | 651-385-4511

Minnesota has a new state law for passing a school bus: If you see a flashing red light, you have to stop. Period.

Before the new law went into effect, some motorists tried to "beat the arm" before the bus driver could fully extend it. Now the law is clear:

• The moment its red lights begin flashing, you must stop your vehicle.
• You must stay at least 20 feet away from the front or back of the bus.
• You must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are turned off.

Motorists aren't required to stop if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway.

Red Wing Public Schools has launched a dedicated website to provide community members with information about the district's 2026 referendum, which will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot.

The website, bit.ly/rwps-ref26, serves as a central resource to learn about the proposal and stay informed leading up to the November election. Visitors can find:

• Details about what is included in the referendum

• Frequently asked questions

• Tax impact information and an online tax calculator

• Voting information and important dates

• Additional resources as they become available

On Nov. 3, voters will be asked to consider one ballot question with two funding tools: a $12.86 million building bond for improvements at Sunnyside Elementary and a 10-year capital projects levy to support ongoing investments in technology, curriculum, facilities, and other capital needs.

Community Open Houses

Community members are also invited to attend one of two upcoming open houses to learn more about the referendum, ask questions, and hear directly from district representatives.

A quorum of school board members may be public.

What’s Next:

In the weeks ahead, the district will share additional resources to help community members learn more about the proposal. These will include:

• A community mailer with project details.

• An informational fact sheet.

• Videos and other resources explaining the proposal.

Community members are encouraged to stay informed by following the district's social media channels, visiting the referendum website, and watching their mailboxes for additional information.

Students ages 13 and up have until Sept. 30 to apply for the no-cost Mark Cuban Foundation, Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp.

The three-session bootcamp is being brought to the community through the Flight Path 2030 initiative, with funding provided by Dwight and Dian Diercks and in partnership with Red Wing Ignite and the Jones Family Foundation. Any student who will be at least 13 years old at the time the bootcamp begins is eligible to apply. Applicants do not need to be enrolled in Red Wing Public Schools.

The bootcamp will run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, and Nov. 14. Meals, transportation assistance and technology will be provided. Students must plan to attend all three days.

The AI Bootcamp gives students hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools, including generative AI, and explores real-world applications in fields such as healthcare, arts, business, computer science, sports science, and career readiness. Students will also complete a capstone project under the guidance of industry mentors.

Registration for Community Education & Recreation classes began in late August. Checkout the offerings by clicking on the catalog cover.

YOUTH CLASSES INCLUDE

Sept. 15: Junior Golf

Straw & Pipe Cleaner Superheroes!

Sept. 16: Soccer Camp, ages 3-6

Sept. 17: Straw & Pipe cleaner Superheroes - Sunnyside

Sept. 21: Intro to Biking grades 5-7

Sept. 22: Before School Sports grades 5-7 - Roller Hockey

ADULT CLASSES INCLUDE

All season: Hallwalking

Sept. 15: Wooden Spoon Carving

Sept. 21: Chords Are Key - Online Music - Piano

Sept. 22: Yoga for Healthy Aging

Chords Are Key - Online Music - Guitar

Sept. 23: Freedom, Democracy and Your Right -- and Responsibility -- to Vote

Therapeutic Chair Yoga

Sept. 24: Chords Are Key - Online Music - Ukulele

Wooden Fall Mini's

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

Delaney Radke's Little Wingers did a great job cleaning up their preschool classroom. "Give yourselves a pat on the back," she said, before they launched into a lesson.

COLVILL CALENDAR

Monday, Sept. 13: Deadline to order the monthly activity pack

Thursday, Sept. 17: Open gym, 5:30-7 p.m. (registration required)

Homecoming Week

Monday Sept. 21: Pajama Day.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: Neon Day.

Wednesday, Sept. 23: Winger Pride Day.

Thursday, Sept. 24: Favorite Color Day.

Friday, Sept. 25: Inside Out Day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

269 E. Fifth St.

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

Phone: 651-385-8000

Webpage: Colvill Family Center

ECFE classes and programs

Sunnyside students maximized recess, capitalizing on the great weather this last week.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

Homecoming Week

Monday Sept. 21: Pajama Day.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: Neon Day.

Wednesday, Sept. 23: Winger Pride Day.

Pep fest.

Thursday, Sept. 24: Favorite Color Day.

Friday, Sept. 25: Inside Out Day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

1669 Southwood Ave.

Sunnyside Scoop Newsletter: September

Office hours: 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

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

Burnside students divided into teams for a friendly -- and physical -- competition of rock, paper, scissors. Players from each team hopped until they met somewhere in the middle. Whoever won the rock, paper or scissors faceoff resumed hopping while a new contestant jumped in, hoping to create another faceoff and prevent the opposing team to complete the course. Great teamwork, Wingers!

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Monday, Sept. 14: Money Dolly fundraiser kickoff.

Homecoming Week

Monday Sept. 21: Pajama Day.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: Neon Day.

Wednesday, Sept. 23: Winger Pride Day.

Pep fest.

Thursday, Sept. 24: Favorite Color Day.

Friday, Sept. 25: Inside Out Day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

5001 Learning Lane

Burnside Blast Newsletter: September

Office hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

As we welcomed students back to school, Nutrition Services launched a daily salad bar at Twin Bluff Middle School. The salad bar is designed to empower students to take active responsibility for building healthy, balanced meals daily.

TWIN BLUFF CALENDAR

Wednesday, Sept. 16: School Picture Day.

Homecoming Week

Monday, Sept. 21:Pajama Day.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: Tropical Day.

Wednesday, Sept. 23: Neon vs Camo.

Pep fest.

Thursday, Sept. 24: Music Merch Day.

Friday, Sept. 25: Winger Spirit Day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

2120 Twin Bluff Road

Twin Bluff Newsletter: September

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

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

Phone: 651-385-4530

Twin Bluff webpage

Don't forget to buy your 2026-2027 athletic passes! These passes are good for home athletic events (excluding playoffs). Passes must be purchased via BOUND.

Adult passes are $75 each (Senior citizens enter free at all conference home and away games)

Family/Household pass is $175; Student pass $25.

As we transition to hosting events this fall, please be aware that we will not be accepting cash for tickets or concessions this year. We recognize this is a change. Please plan ahead.

We look forward to seeing you at our events!

RWHS CALENDAR

Tuesday, Sept. 15: Picture retakes.

Wednesday, Sept 16: Enrichment schedule.

Homecoming Week

Monday, Sept. 21: Senior Sunrise, 8 a.m., football field.

Coronation.

Pajama Day.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: Tropical Day.

Wednesday, Sept. 23: Neon vs Camo.

Power Puff, 6:15 p.m., football field.

Thursday, Sept. 24: Childhood Cancer Awareness Day (wear yellow or gold).

Friday, Sept. 25: Pep fest

Winger Spirit Day.

Saturday, Sept. 26: Semi-formal dance, 7:30-10 p.m., cafeteria.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION

2451 Eagle Ridge Drive

RWHS Student Newsletter: Sept. 14

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

Student hours: 8:40 a.m. to 3:27 p.m.

Phone: 651-385-4700

Webpages: Red Wing High School and Class of 2027

TOWER VIEW CALENDAR

Homecoming Week

Monday, Sept. 21: Pajama Day.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: Tropical Day.

Wednesday, Sept. 23: Neon vs Camo.

Thursday, Sept. 24: Music Merch Day.

Friday, Sept. 25: Winger Spirit Day.

Saturday, Sept. 26: Semi-formal dance, 7:30-10 p.m., cafeteria.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION

154 Tower View Drive

Tower View Office hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Phone: 651-388-8963

Webpages: Tower View and Class of 2027

The District Advisory Council is looking for members for the 2026-27 school year. DAC's are designed to provide feedback and input on instruction, assessment, programming, and on the Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness report.

The District Advisory Council will meet four times during the school year: Oct. 29, Jan. 28, March 25, and April 29 from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

If interested, please fill out this form.

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Monday-Friday, Sept. 21-25: Homecoming week.

Tuesday, Sept. 22: School Board meeting, 5 p.m., Red Wing High School J110.

Referendum open house, 6:30 p.m., RWHS J110; a quorum of board members may be present.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION:

District Office

2451 Eagle Ridge Drive

Red Wing, MN 55066

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

Office hours (starting Aug. 17): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

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