RWHS Student Newsletter
Back to School 2024
This Week at RWHS
- Shown Fourth Period: All About Orange Shirt Day | CBC Kids (YouTube video, about 2 minutes long, closed captioning available). Wear Orange tomorrow!
- SIGN UP FOR YOUR WEDNESDAY CLUB!
Tuesday, September 30:
- Orange Shirt Day (WEAR ORANGE!)
- Deadline to register for RWPS Chromebook Care plan
Wednesday, October 1:
- WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
- iTimes during math
Thursday, October 2:
Friday, October 3:
Information for RWHS students
Contact Information
RWHS office: (651) 385 - 4600
651-385-4660 (attendance)
Email for RWHS attendance line
Our Administration is available for student and family needs:
Assistant Principal Robin Pagel, grades 9 & 11
Assistant Principal Mandy Stokes, grades 8, 10 & 12
Intérprete en Español
¡Bienvenido! Por favor contáctenos directamente para asistencia en español.
Carla Contla
651-385-4607
RWHS Daily Schedule
Student Support
Counselor Information
We are welcoming two new counselors to RWHS this year!
Ms. Frye: Students with last names starting with A-K
Mrs. Clara Ballard: L-Z Students with last names starting with L-Z
Other Student/Family Supports
Paul Hartmann, Activities Director
Nicole Bolduan, Assistant Director of Special Education
Carla Contla, Cultural Liaison and Interpreter
Mitch Skeen and Leah Ryan, Native American Liaisons
StudentVUE
Struggling with your StudentVUE password? Is your account disabled?
Email Mrs. Borgschatz and she will help you out!
Recruiter Visits to RWHS
The following colleges will be visiting students during lunches at RWHS:
- College Promise: Every Wednesday
- University of MN-Twin Cities: Thursday, October 2
- UW-River Falls: UW-River Falls
- Goodhue County Toward Zero Deaths Safe Driving: Friday, October 10
- University of MN - Morris: Wednesday, October 15
Student Reminders
DUE Tuesday 9/30: Chromebook Care for 2025-2026
Damage to district-issued Chromebooks kept our Technology Team busy during the 2024-2025 school year:
- They made 597 repairs across the district
- Decommissioned 80 devices for various reasons, including 21 due to student damage.
- Issued 280 fines, with about a third of them to cover lost cords and to recoup the lost devices when students leave the district.
Students are responsible for loss and damage to their Chromebook, so families must pay for cracked or broken screens, spills, broken keys and more. There is a protection play to help with that, but enrollment is required by Sept. 30. The annual cost is $15 for one device and $30 for two of more devices.
Learn more by reading the Student & Parent Handbook. Enroll by clicking the button below.
Check out the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Community.
Did you know that a gender split persists among computer scientists? Data shows that the imbalance currently is 79% male to 21% female in the field.
One component of Flight Path 2030 is to encourage students to consider technology-related careers. The National Center for Women & Information Technology AiC opens pathways into technology careers, celebrating students’ technical aspirations and connecting them to a national network for success. All students interested in computing, engineering, or technology — and who want to support peers facing gender-based barriers — gain immediate access to resources, mentors, peers, scholarship opportunities, and awards.
The AiC Award application window is open now through Oct. 28. Check it out here,
Important Policy and Procedure Reminders
RWHS Student Handbook
Please take time to review the RWHS Student Handbook! It includes information about missing work, test retakes and more.
Student Shout-Outs!
- Ray Walker: You're doing so awesome in Art class! Keep it up! -Bray
- Isaac Moening: Being a great student and a pleasure to have in class. He is always willing to share or answer questions in class. Having a good start to the year. -Mr. Monaghan
- Cayden G. Johnson: Keep up the great work this year! -Bray
- Luke Farrar, Eva Wardle, Mattie Bakke, Bea Lahammer, Matthew Morgenroth, Silas Perau, Lillian Abney: This group volunteered for the DSI Triathlon this last weekend helping racers have a safe and enjoyable experience. Thank you so much for volunteering your time! -Mr. Wendland
- DeWitt's 1st period Wednesday P.E. class: This group of students handles each day very well. They have been consistently on task, and excited to be there each day. Even if they don't enjoy the activity they all give an effort! This goes a long way for RWHS staff as we can count on their excellent effort! Top marks DeWitt's Wednesday 1st period P.E. class! -Mr. Hovelson
- Brunkhorst's crew kids: THANK YOU for fixing my student supply tower. It's now driving Demi a little less bananas to come to my room for lunch not having to see the supply bins falling over every which way. ;) I appreciate your willingness to help out in so many different ways. You keep the theater program moving, and we appreciate you! -Mrs. Kiefer
- Lariah Kalember: Lariah helped me organize all the competitor numbers for the Cross Country Meet this Thursday. This alone saved me hours of work. -Mr. Casci
- Madelynn Melsness: You rock as a student council leader! I have seen your hard work and dedication to your peers through the last couple years. - Holly T.
- Charlie Tanner: I'm impressed at how Charlie can rise to the occasion. He's a reliable student and a trustworthy friend. Thanks for being who you are, Charlie. -Mrs. Kiefer
- Abi Witts: Thanks for being so positive and hard-working. I appreciate you! -Bray
- Pepfest Crew: Thanks to all of you who joined the students at SES, BES and TBMS to celebrate Homecoming! The kids had a BLAST!
Your Donations Make a Difference!
THANK YOU to all of the students who threw cash into a can to vote for Staff Royalty! Collectively, we raised a lot of money to donate to Hope Coalition AND we raised awareness! Thank you for helping to make a difference in our community!
Activities Office
Share your photos with the Yearbook Team!
Use the QR Code below to upload pictures from RWHS events with our Yearbook Team! Tag the photos!
Season Activity Passes/Game Tickets
There are no more free family/student/staff passes. We recommend you consider purchasing an annual activity pass, that will give you access to all home events. Download the GoFan app!
Adults - $75
District Staff - $30
K-12 Student - $25
60+ and Red Wing resident - Free
Single Game Tickets - Adults $10; Students $6
Order your 2025-2026 Yearbook Now!
Yearbooks from last school year will be in later this fall, so stay tuned to pick those up.
Order your 2025-2026 Yearbook! The price goes up as the year goes on, so order early!
Want to be on the Yearbook team to create the 2025-2026 Yearbook? Contact Mrs. Hanson!
Join Youth in Government!
Interested in the government, leadership, or making a difference? Then Youth in Government (YIG) is for you! YIG gives students the opportunity to travel to the Minnesota Capitol Building and take part in a mock government, such as writing bills, debating issues, fighting court cases, journalism, and so much more! It is an excellent way to develop leadership and social skills, as well as to make friends from all around the state. Red Wing's next YIG meeting is October 7, in J110 at 7pm. It is an excellent opportunity to learn what YIG is all about. Hope to see you there!
Student Health
Want to QUIT VAPING?
My Life, My Quit™ is the free and confidential way to quit smoking or vaping. Text "Start My Quit" to 36072 or click to chat with a Coach. We are here for you every step of the way. It's YOUR LIFE and we're here to help you live it YOUR WAY. If you’re a teen between 13–17 and you want help quitting vaping, smoking or using other commercial tobacco products, this completely free and confidential program is for you. Talk or text with coaches and get other resources to help you when you are ready to quit nicotine. From practicing how to say “no” to tips for managing stress and peer pressure, we can help. Worried about weight gain or additional anxiety? Our coaches can get you through the rough spots. Do you have a friend struggling with smoking or vaping? Let them know we’re here to help.
Quit Partner is Minnesota’s free way to quit nicotine, including smoking, vaping and chewing. We can support your quit with one-on-one coaching and other helpful tools. Whenever you need us, we’re here to help 24/7.
October 6: Student Flu Shot Clinic
Save the Date! The Student Flu Shot Clinic will be held at RWHS on October 6th during lunches.
Homeland Health will offer student flu vaccination clinics Oct. 6 and 7 at Red Wing Public Schools. If you are interested, sign your student up https://www.cognitoforms.com/.../GoodhueCountyHHSFluCOVID...
• Children without health insurance may qualify to receive flu vaccination at no charge. A $20 donation per vaccine is requested. This does not affect your ability to receive a vaccine.
• The cost for persons who chose to pay privately is:
Standard Flu Shot $45; FluMist (if available) $50; Senior Dose $75
Homeland Health accepts the following insurances and will bill your health plan: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, PrimeWest, America’s PPO, HealthPartners, South Country Health Care, Cigna Medica and United Healthcare
Transportation Services
For questions regarding route changes, address changes and waivers:
Red Wing Transportation Department
651-385-4795
transportation@rwps.org
For questions regarding a bus or bus driver or FirstView App:
First Student Transit
714 Bench Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
651-388-8244
RWHS Class of 2026
SENIORS! It's your year! Please continue to check the webpage for the RWHS Class of 2026 for important announcements, meetings and deadlines throughout your Senior Year.
Online College-Prep Webinars for Families
This fall, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Minnesota Department of Education, ECMC's The College Place Minnesota, and Minnesota Goes to College are offering webinars for Minnesota students and families as they prepare for the college-going process. The first is Tuesday, Sept. 30.
If you or someone you know is looking for more information on the college and financial aid process, we are here to help! Join us between the weeks of October and November for a series of college and financial aid webinars created specifically for students and families to walk through components and steps of applying for college and financial aid.
Session date/times:
09/30/2025 @ 7pm – Explore College Options
10/07/2025 @ 7pm – Apply to College
10/14/2025 @ 7pm – Understand Financial Aid
10/21/2025 @ 7pm – FAFSA 101
10/28/2025 @ 7pm – Dream Act 101*
11/18/2025 @ 7pm – Scholarships 101
*This webinar session provides financial aid information for students in Minnesota who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA. Students and families should choose either "FAFSA
Register are https://mngoestocollege.mn.gov/mngoestocollege/students/attend-virtual-event
Letters of Recommendation
Seniors! If you are intending to ask a staff member for a Letter of Recommendation it would be kind of you to ask in person. It would then be helpful to follow up with an email that thanks the recommender for helping you, and gives them information about yourself that they could include in their letter. Include your activities, jobs, honors or recognitions and future goals. Make sure you give your recommenders plenty of time to complete this before deadlines. Follow up with a thank you note!
Immunization Needed!
ALL 12th graders will need to get a meningococcal immunization. We will have a notary of the public here at the open house on Tuesday for anyone that chooses not to immunize their children.
Mandatory Cap and Gown Meeting: October 8
The Class of 2026 Cap and Gown meeting will be Oct 8 at 1:20-1:54 p.m. This is a mandatory meeting for all seniors. Please plan ahead accordingly for your daily schedule that day!
Senior Photos for Yearbook
When you're ready, send the Yearbook Team your Senior Photo for the 2025-2026 Yearbook! Use the QR code to submit.
Commitment to Graduate
If you are an RWHS or Towerview Senior and have NOT yet signed the Commitment to Graduate canvas, stop into the office, ask Holly for a marker, and ADD YOUR NAME!
Minnesota State Month at Minnesota Colleges and Universities
Explore Your Future with a visit to one or more of your state colleges and universities during Minnesota State Month.
October is College Knowledge Month in Minnesota and to celebrate, the colleges and universities of Minnesota State are waiving their undergraduate application fees for the entire month AND there are no essays required for applications.
That's what we call Minnesota State Month!
Minnesota State Month is a great time to explore the 33 colleges and universities that make up Minnesota State. Special campus visit events are planned at many of the Minnesota State campuses during the MEA break October 16-17, but you can also visit any other time during the month too. Just contact the colleges or universities you want to visit from the list below.
Minnesota State Month makes the application process stress-free for you. Apply for FREE (undergraduates only) to one or more of the 26 colleges and seven state universities at any time during the month and remember, we don't require an application essay—it’s a great way to save a few bucks and save on the stress!
Get started on your journey to your dream career during Minnesota State Month!
All Minnesota State colleges and universities are waiving their undergraduate application fee for the entire month of October.
- Check out our campuses and programs.
- Learn about Minnesota's new FREE college program, the North Star Promise Scholarship.
- Read about the Minnesota State Promise—our commitment to you!
Upcoming Dates at RWHS
Tuesday, September 16: FastBridge Math Testing in all Math classes
Friday, September 26: Athletic/Activities Grade Check
Tuesday, September 30: Deadline to register for District Chromebook Care Plan
Tuesday, September 30: Orange Shirt Day
Monday, October 6: Flu and Covid Vaccination Clinic during lunches (preregister)
Wednesday, October 8: Jostens Senior Meeting at 1:20pm
Monday, October 13: Indigenous Peoples' Day assembly
Wednesday, October 15: Hispanic Heritage Assembly
October 16 & 17: Fall Break, No School
Tuesday, October 21: PSAT exam for registered Juniors
October 27 & 28: No School for Students
October 28: Fall Conferences at RWHS
Friday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
Friday, October 31: Athletic/Activities Grade Check
Monday, November 10: National Honor Society Induction Ceremony and Banquet