Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256

Buildings & Grounds Director Kevin Neuman joined the District in June. He happened to be traveling when he received the job offer and snapped a symbolic Red Wing selfie then and there!

Kevin Neuman’s workplace super power might just be having taught school and been a principal before switching to overseeing the infrastructure – the classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, playgrounds, and fields – that support students’ education.

“I bring a unique perspective to the Buildings & Grounds Department by having that teacher/administrator background,” he said. Understanding the why and why not of a project or request helps with communication, for example.

How and why did you make the transition?

I had been teaching for 11 years at the middle school level, along with being a K-8 principal. When a supervisory custodial position opened at a college in New Ulm, Minnesota, I jumped at the opportunity. It allowed me to work toward boiler licensure and to coach football at the NCAA Division III level. The 20 years of collegiate experience made me a qualified candidate for a larger Twin Cities K-12 school district (Hopkins), where I served for 10-plus years.

What brought you to Red Wing?

Two grandsons (ages 1 and 3) just north on Highway 316, halfway between Hastings and Red Wing. They are the sons of our oldest daughter and her husband. My wife and I had wanted to move from Winthrop, Minnesota, to the Cities after our youngest son graduated from GFW (Gibbon, Fairfax, Winthrop) High School and that was four years ago.

Truthfully, we love the river bluffs and the natural beauty of the Mississippi River and the history and charm of Red Wing. My family in Indiana and Michigan can’t believe that I work in the town famous for its boots and pottery. The day I was offered the position of Director of Buildings & Grounds for Red Wing Public Schools, I took a selfie in front of the Red Wing Shoe store in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where I was visiting my parents.

What new challenges and opportunities have you encountered in your first three months in Red Wing?

Larger school districts have so many layers, where you seem further from the classroom with its teachers and students. Red Wing Schools, which isn’t necessarily a small district, has been a breath of fresh air by being able to work more directly with teachers and administrators. We are blessed with talented staff and teachers, many with direct connections to the district with themselves or other family members being graduates and alumni.

Also, the connection between the school district and the Prairie Island Indian Community. What a privilege we have in assisting in the education of the Bdewakantunwan Band of Dakota's children. We can share in their appreciation of the rivers, bluffs, wildlife, vegetation and all that makes the Red Wing area sacred to each of us. We share a mutual stewardship of the land as a community.

What is your favorite thing about working in education?

Being part of the education process of our community's youth. The pride of witnessing young children grow up to be contributing and productive members of our community and knowing that you helped provide interior and exterior spaces for that learning to take place.

What is your hobby?

I enjoy all aspects of trains and the related railroad industry. I enjoy model trains, I enjoy riding on trains, I enjoy collecting railroad related paraphernalia. Red Wing is that perfect “train” city with its depots, Amtrak, and its rich railroad history. I look forward to getting involved with the “Gandy Dancers,” the local model railroad club.

How do you spend your free time outside of school?

My wife, Angela, and I are grandparents: There is never free time, and we are loving it.

Dwight Diercks, a 1986 graduate of Red Wing High School, talks about why he and his wife, Dian, decided to support an initiative aimed at preparing Red Wing students for a future shaped by AI -- artificial intelligence. He spoke at the districtwide staff kickoff prior to the first day of school.

Dwight Diercks addressed Red Wing Public Schools staff on Aug. 25 during the 2025-2026 kickoff. He and his wife, Dian, have pledged $3.2 million over five years to support an initiative to ensure that Wingers graduate digitally fluent, ethically grounded, and workforce-ready. The plan includes districtwide improvements and specialized pathways for students interested in pursuing tech careers.

Called Flight Path 2030, the effort also will enrich math, computer science and related coursework. This builds onto the Winger Flight Paths program launched after the 2018 school referendum.

He and Superintendent Bob Jaszczak shared their excitement in having RWPS become a leader in helping students grasp how artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the world and how to use AI in an ethical, responsible, human-centered manner. As Mr. Jaszczak told staff, "There is a ton of work to do around this initiative but it is an incredible opportunity to support our students and the community."

Registration for more fall 2025 classes is underway. The U.S. Postal Service delivered catalogs to home mailboxes this past week. If you didn't receive a copy, click the catalog cover shown here or stop by Community Education & Recreation, 2451 Eagle Ridge Drive, Door 10A.

UPCOMING YOUTH CLASSES

Monday, Sept. 8: Swim School By Red Wing Swim Club, ages 4+.

After School Lacrosse, grades K-1.

Wednesday, Sept. 10: Intro to Cheerleading, ages 4-6, ages 7-8, and ages 9+.

After School Soccer, grades 2-4.

Bob Ross “Wet-on-Wet” Painting Class, ages 12+.

Thursday, Sept. 11: After School Soccer, grades K-1.

Mixed Media Floral Painting, ages 15+.

Sunday, Sept. 14: Winger Baseball Skills and Drills, grades K-2.

Tuesday, Sept 16: Silly Monsters in Clay, grades 2-4.

Junior Golf Lessons, ages 6-8, ages 9-11, and ages 12+.

Wednesday, Sept 17: K9 Cookies Creations, Gr. 3-8.

Thursday, Sept. 18: Silly Monsters in Clay, grades K-1.

UPCOMING ADULT CLASSES

Monday, Sept. 8: Hallwalking.

Tuesday, Sept 9: Budgeting 101.

Wooden Spoon Carving.

Wednesday, Sept. 10: Bob Ross “Wet-on-Wet” Painting Class, ages 12+.

Tuesday, Sept. 16: Clay Exploration on the Wheel, ages 8+, multi-generational.

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

RED WING HIGH SCHOOL CALENDAR

Monday, Sept. 8: Auditions for "Rainbow Fish," after school, The Little Theater.

Tuesday, Sept. 9: FastBridge testing.

Grade level meetings.

Homecoming T-shirt orders due.

Wednesday, Sept. 10: Club time; Wednesday schedule.

Tuesday, Sept. 16: FastBridge testing in math classes.

Wednesday, Sept. 17: Club time.

Sept. 22-26: Homecoming Week

IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION

Student Newsletter Sept. 8-14

Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.

Phone: 651-385-4700

Webpage: Red Wing High School

The Tower View campus will again play host to the Minnesota Children's Book Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. Our students will assist and participate in various capacities.

This marks the Anderson Center at Tower View's 26th annual Minnesota Children's Book Festival featuring presentations of new books by award-winning authors and illustrators writing for young readers through middle grade. Throughout the afternoon, authors or illustrators present their work, read from their book, and participate in a meet & greet and book signing booth. Taking place outdoors, the event also features hands-on activities that engage the mind, body, and imagination. The event is free.

TOWER VIEW CALENDAR

Saturday, Sept. 13: Minnesota Children's Book Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Important links and information

Tower View webpage

154 Tower View Drive

Office: 651-388-8963

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

Students successfully completed the first fire drill of the season. The weather cooperated on Friday, too! One of Red Wing Public Schools' five safety call words is "Evacuate," and students did just that when the alarm sounded, exiting quickly and gathering with staff for a head count before heading back inside for classes.

TWIN BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL CALENDAR

Sept. 22-26: Homecoming week.

Tuesday, Sept. 30: Picture day.

Friday, Oct. 3: Leaders Dance, 6-8 p.m.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Twin Bluff Newsletter: September

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

Phone: 651-385-4530

Twin Bluff webpage

Students quickly are learning the after-school routine. Next up: Bus safety, which is scheduled for Sept. 9.

BURNSIDE CALENDAR

Tuesday, Sept. 9: Bus safety.

Monday, Sept. 15: Club's Choice kickoff.

Sept. 22-26: Homecoming Week

Sept. 30: Club's Choice orders due.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Burnside Newsletter: September

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 students had plenty of help negotiating the first day of school on Sept. 2.

SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR

Sept. 8-12: FastBridge testing.

Monday, Sept. 15: Club's Choice kickoff.

Thursday, Sept. 18: Bus safety.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

Sunnyside Newsletter: September.

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

Early childhood screening provides the best opportunity for any health or developmental concerns to be found early. Screening is required for entrance in Minnesota’s public schools and must take place between age 3 and kindergarten. While you may think fall 2026 is far away, kindergarten registration is only six months away.

Please call 651-385-8000 to sign up for a screening date/time for your child. Screening is offered monthly at Colvill Family Center throughout the school year. Dates are:

• 2025 – Sept, 11 and 25l Oct. 9 and 23; Nov. 13; Dec. 4.
• 2026 – Jan. 8 and 22; Feb. 5 & 19; March 12; April 9 and 23: May 14.

Screening is a quick, no-cost check of a child's vision and hearing, height and weight, immunization record and a review of health care coverage. Screeners also look for risk factors that may impact learning, such as use of large and small muscles, thinking, language and speaking skills. The screening includes a parent/guardian report of social-emotional development and a summary meeting.

COLVILL CALENDAR

Thursday, Sept. 11: Early childhood screening, by appointment.

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

Friday, Sept. 14: Nurturing Nest mothers and babies, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Friday, Sept. 19: Nurturing Nest mothers and babies, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Thursday, Sept. 25: Early childhood screening, by appointment.

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

Friday, Sept. 26: Nurturing Nest mothers and babies, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS

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

Phone: 651-385-8000

Colvill webpage

Superintendent Bob Jaszczak will recap the start to the 2025-2026 academic year when the Red Wing School Board meets Monday, Sept. 8. The workshop will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Red Wing High School room J110.

The board then will discuss state and federal lawmakers’ recent actions as well as proposed legislation might affect the district. Topics include academic standards, artificial intelligence and mandates.

Find the full agenda on the BoardBook. The workshop is open to the public and will be recorded but not live streamed.

The District Advisory Council is looking for members for the 2025-26 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 RWPS District Advisory Council will meet four times during the school year: Oct. 23, Dec. 18, Feb. 19, and April 16 from 4:15-5:15 p.m.

If interested, please fill out this form.

DISTRICT CALENDAR

Monday, Sept. 8: School Board workshop, 5:30 p.m., RWHS room J110.

Sept 22-26: Homecoming Week.

Monday, Sept. 22: School Board meeting, 5:30 p.m., RWHS room 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

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