Red Wing Public Schools ISD 256
May 17, 2026
District News
Early Childhood Community Advisory Committee
Panel champions support for young learners
In March, the Red Wing School Board invited community members to serve on the Early Childhood Community Advisory Committee to help provide input regarding the future of Early Childhood Education in Red Wing Public Schools. This work was a continuation of the communitywide survey regarding the same topic that was shared in February.
A group of 15 volunteers representing a diverse cross-section of the community — including parents, educators, childcare providers, and community members — met over the course of five meetings to learn, discuss, tour current programming spaces, and develop community-informed priorities for the School Board to consider.
At the May 12 School Board Workshop, the committee presented its final priorities, including an overarching recommendation to:
“Invest in high-quality, age-appropriate Early Childhood learning and teaching environments.”
Additional priorities focus on increasing access for underserved families, aligning programming with family needs, supporting kindergarten readiness, enhancing parent education opportunities, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
The School Board expressed appreciation to the committee members for their time, thoughtful discussion, and commitment throughout the process.
“Passionate, committed, and engaged is how I would describe this team and the work they put in over the past several weeks,” said Pat Westby, Community Engagement Specialist with SitelogIQ.
The priorities shared by the committee will help inform future discussions as the School Board considers next steps related to Early Childhood Education in Red Wing Public Schools.
The School Board and district leadership would like to thank the Advisory Committee and survey participants. The input gathered will have an important impact as we work together to support our youngest learners.
Read the presentation slides summarizing the priorities and how the committee arrived at them. Watch the workshop on the RWPS YouTube channel.
Appreciation Week
Public steps up for Red Wing Public Schools
The community took extra steps again this year to recognize Red Wing Public Schools staff during National Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8. From your personal notes to a child’s teacher or principal to the Red Wing Schools Appreciation Committee’s all-staff celebratory evening, our community made RWPS employees feel appreciated – from Monday morning all the way through last weekend.
The National Education Association sponsors the week to recognize educators for their hard work and dedication. Red Wing Public Schools takes the approach that all staff are educators – sometimes a student finds a champion in a lunch lady while another’s go-to adult is a secretary, paraprofessional or custodian. Our community recognizes and supports this concept, which makes for stronger, more effective schools.
The community’s approach to the week actually has year-round ramifications, as a few 2026 highlights demonstrate:
Red Wing Public Schools Foundation announced it has awarded $85,048.79 in grants for the 2026-27 school year. These will fund experiences in the arts, STEM, outdoors and more – opportunities students otherwise would miss. The RWPSF was established in 1995 to enhance students' education and continues to do so because of generous donor support. Learn more and give at RedWingSchools.org.
The Hedin Hartnagel Fund presented the Elizabeth Hedin Award for Educator Excellence to teachers Lisa Hanson and Amy Pearson. (See the May 10 newsletter). The honor has a three-year rotation, so next year the award will go to two non-teaching staff members.
The Red Wing Schools Appreciation Committee spent months planning a weeklong event that was inclusive for all RWPS staff. This self-described group of “moms who believe in the power of gratitude” connected with 70 local businesses and individuals to make it happen. The week has concluded, but the group now shifts to classroom wish lists at redwinggives.com.
In the words of the Red Wing Schools Appreciation Committee: “Our hope is that every teacher and staff member in Red Wing feels seen, celebrated, and supported, not just for one week, but all year long. When we show up for our educators, we strengthen our whole community.”
Our schools
What a great field day!
Colvill Family Center -- birth to pre-K
Learn how to boost your child's development
Early Childhood Family Education will offer Explore Your Child’s Development at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 21. Join Tekla Johnson for an engaging class on child development where you’ll learn practical tips and strategies to support your child’s growth and learning. This class is perfect for parents and caregivers of children birth to 5 years old. Cost is $10 per adult. Childcare is available for $5. Call 651-385-8000 to register for Class #1534-26W3.
COLVILL CALENDAR
Wednesday, May 20: Play at Bay Point Park, 9 a.m., register encouraged but not required.
Thursday, May 21: Explore your Child's Development, 9 a.m., registration required.
Friday, May 22: No school for students; staff workday.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day; no school.
Wednesday, May 27: Play at Colvill Park Universal Playground, 9 a.m., register encouraged but not required.
Thursday, May 28: End-of-year celebration.
Friday, May 29: End-of-year celebration.
Last day of preschool.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS
ECFE spring classes and programs.
Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-8000
Webpage: Colvill Family Center
Sunnyside Elementary -- K-grade 1
Ready, aim, toss
SUNNYSIDE CALENDAR
Monday, May 18: RWHS Senior Walkthrough.
Tuesday, May 19: CARE Clinic dental clinic (appointment required).
Friday, May 22: No school for students; staff workday.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day; no school.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS
Sunnyside Scoop newsletter: May
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 Elementary -- grades 2-4
Excited about pedal power
Goodhue County Health & Human Services Public Health staffers helped supervise grade 4 bicycle field trips along the Hay Creek Trail this past week. This is a culmination of the bicycle units these students have had in physical education during their time at Burnside.
Here is what some students had to say about the experience:
- “This is my first time on a trail. Before the biking (unit) I was not a confident biker," Lincoln said.
- “At the beginning of the school year, I wasn’t even thinking about learning to ride my bike," Evelyn said. “I’m glad my mom pushed me to ride my bike.”
- “We should have a play date and bike on this trail,” Aria said. “I want to do this again. … This is so fun.”
BURNSIDE CALENDAR
Monday, May 18: RWHS Senior Walkthrough.
Wednesday, May 20: Grade 4 visits Twin Bluff Middle School.
Thursday, May 21: Grade 4 Red Wing government field trip.
Friday, May 22: No school for students; staff workday.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day; no school.
Tuesday, May 26: Grade 2 field day, 8:20-10:20 a.m.
Wednesday, May 27: Grade 4 field day, 8:20-10:20 a.m.
Thursday, May 28: Grade 3 field day, 8:20-10:20 a.m.
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
Twin Bluff Middle School -- grades 5-7
Do it yourself safely
One of the key lessons in TBMS science, technology, engineering, arts, math -- STEAM -- classes is learning to use tools safely, effectively and responsibly.
TWIN BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL CALENDAR
Monday, May 18: RWHS Senior Walkthrough.
Grades 6-7 choir concert, 6 p.m., RWHS Hovda Hall.
Wednesday, May 20: Bus Stop & Walk.
Friday, May 22: No school for students; staff workday.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day; no school.
Friday, May 29: Grade 7 lock-in.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LINKS
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 651-385-4530
Red Wing High School -- grades 8-12
Ceremonia de celebración hispana
The Hispanic Celebration Ceremony May 15 honored students who will graduate June 5. The bilingual evening focused on success, unity and gratitude. The speakers included students Nisha Catarino, Belen Machado, Katherine Tazin, Reyna Marmol and Cielo Trevino (pictured with cultural liaison Carla Contla), Superintendent Bob Jaszczak and former teacher Kelly Hassemer. A reception and dinner followed.
Drama and prose on the national stage
Red Wing speech competitors Atlas Sjoblom, Josh Babb and Audrey Larson travelled to Owatonna High School May 8-9 to compete in a national speech competition. This marks the first time that the RWHS speech team has been represented at the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions.
Sjoblom, a sophomore, earned at-large qualification status in Dramatic Interpretation the first day. On the second day, senior teammates Audrey Larson and Josh Babb competed in Prose Interpretation alongside their teammate.
Though the trio did not advance to elimination rounds, Red Wing Speech was represented well throughout the tournament, which had 219 Dramatic Interpretation competitors and 80 Prose Interpretation competitors from across the country.
RWHS CALENDAR
Monday, May 18: O = Orange day for leukemia awareness
RWHS Senior Walkthrough.
Tuesday, May 19: P = Pajama day
"Winnie the Pooh" fall play auditions after school.
Wednesday, May 20: E-learning day.
Q = Quiz day
Senior letter winner breakfast.
Senior Awards Night.
Thursday, May 21: R = Rock, paper, scissors day
Friday, May 22: No school for students; staff workday.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day; no school. Community observation with Ovation and Concert Band, 8:45 a.m., Bay Point Park.
Tuesday, May 26: S = Soak-A-Senior day.
Wednesday, May 27: T = TV Character day.
Thursday, May 28: U = University day.
Friday, May 29: V = Vintage day.
APAC Feather Ceremony, 5 p.m., Hovda Hall.
IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION
RWHS Student Newsletter May 18-22
RWHS Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays
Phone: 651-385-4700
Webpages: Red Wing High School and Class of 2026
Tower View Alternative High School
TOWER VIEW CALENDAR
Wednesday, May 20: E-learning day.
Friday, May 22: No school for students; staff workday.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day; no school.
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
Community Education & Recreation -- all ages
Here are a sampling of classes coming up. To explore future options, including summer camps, click on the course catalog image.
YOUTH CLASSES
May 26: Printing with Nature, grades 2-4.
May 28: Printing with Nature, grades K-1.
June 3: Winger Swim School by Red Wing Swim Club, ages 4+.
ADULT CLASSES
May 25: Pre-Season Lap Swimming.
May 30: MN Permit to Carry Certification.
June 1: Beginner Spanish Boost.
June 2: Cooking Up Spanish: A Taste of Spanish Through Food.
Practical ChatGPT Training for Everyone.IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION
Red Wing Community Education Facebook
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Phone: 651-385-4565
Flight Path 2030
Save the date: AI camp coming to Red Wing
High school students who will be in grades 9-12 this fall will have a new opportunity to explore the ethical application of artificial intelligence through the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Camp, coming to Red Wing for the first time. The camp is made possible through the generous support of Red Wing High School alum Dwight Diercks and his wife, Dian, in partnership with Ignite and the Jones Family Foundation.
Student applications open: Aug. 1
DISTRICT CALENDAR
Friday, May 22: No school; staff workday.
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day, no school.
Tuesday, May 26: Red Wing School Board meeting, 5 p.m., RWHS 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