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COVID-19 Red Wing Public School Response Plan

On March 25, 2020, Governor Tim Walz announced that all public schools in Minnesota will begin Distance Learning on Monday, March 30, 2020 and will extend through Thursday, April 30.

All before school, after school, and evening activities are cancelled.
All school buildings are closed to the public. Contact employees via email.

Providing Education through Distance Learning

Beginning March 30, 2020 and extending through April 30, the district intends to provide instruction to all students through distance learning. The Minnesota Department of Education defines distance learning “as providing students with access to appropriate educational materials and ensuring they receive daily interaction with their licensed teacher(s).”

Distance learning is intended to limit the loss of face-to-face instructional time, due to school cancellations (for weather or other natural disasters) and will count toward instructional hours.

This effort will require the full cooperation of students, teachers, and families to make instruction meaningful and in compliance with the full expectations of Minnesota statutes.

Family & Student Expectations for RWPS Distance Learning Plan
Family & Student Expectations for RWPS Distance Learning Plan - Spanish
 

Contact:
Request Form: Tech Support Request Form
Email: techsupport@rwps.org

Parents: if you need a chromebook, internet access, or help with other technology issues, complete the Tech Support Form.

If you do not have Internet services:

o Parents may contact their cell/data provider to see if hot spots or expanded broadband service is available.

 o A local cable provider is offering two months of free broadband service to eligible low income households who are new customers. If you qualify and do not currently have Internet service, please contact Lisa Steggerda at lasteggerda@rwps.org.

o Internet access is available near the RWHS outdoor stadium, Burnside Elementary School by the front door, and Colvill parking lot; the password is 256INTERNET. Only disproportionately impacted students are allowed to use the hot spots, and all social distancing guidelines (including 6-foot separation in a vehicle) and local curfew requirements must be followed. Buildings are closed and bathrooms are not available. See map below:
RWPS WiFi map

A list of local businesses allowing access to Internet services is provided below.
Red Wing WiFi map

Keep America Connected Pledge

HBC Internet Offer

Contact: Justin Plein, School-Age Care Coordinator     
Phone: 651-764-0266   
Email: jjplein@rwps.org

Kids Junction is offering childcare for families working in critical sectors. Kids Junction will be offered at Sunnyside Elementary School from 6 am – 6 pm each weekday. To qualify, children must be school-age, 12 or younger.  There is no cost for program participation and three meals will be provided free of charge.
Click on link below for state information on who can use Kids Junction: 
Minnesota Care for Children during school closure

Parents must bring proof of employment credentials, emergency contact information, and prescription medicines and related doctor notes with them on the first day of enrollment.
Transportation is available for children living in the school district.

Contact: Brent Lexvold, Food Service
Director Phone: 651-385-4583
Email: bdlexvold@rwps.org

Starting Monday, March 30th - RWPS Food Service Department will be distributing meals on M, W & F’s at the 14 locations. Meals will include days when meals are not distributed (i.e. Mondays delivery will contain both Mondays & Tuesdays).

RWPS Food Service Department will be closed on April 9th and 10th; however, meals will be packaged for the extended weekend, and included with the meal distribution on Wednesday, April 8th.

1.  Special thanks to Community Ed for all the resources and help during this time assisting Food Service and our Emergency Personnel providing daycare coverage!

2.  The Food Service Department is not taking volunteers at this time, but Goodhue County Health and Human Services is looking. If interested, please email Lisa at lisa.woodford@co.goodhue.mn.us or by phone (651) 385-6128.

3.  Please remember to donate when able to area food shelves, as they will need resources in the weeks to come. Non-Perishables only. 

4.  Reminder that numbers are changing daily and so projecting meal counts can be challenging for sites across the district. Be patient as we navigate these challenges to reach the children in the community. 

Student Food Delivery Information - update 3/26
Student Food Delivery Information - Spanish - update 3/26

Food Delivery Location Finder

Contact: Sonia Smith, Director of Special Education

Email: srsmith@rwps.org

We recognize that this is a very challenging time for everyone, and we are especially sensitive to our families who have students with IEPs. During this time of planning, special education staff are diligently working on individual plans, including but not limited to, collaborating with classroom teachers and other service staff to support the special needs of your students and working on updated schedules to reconnect with families and set up meetings for IEPs. Our goal is to be appropriate and reasonable in light of the current circumstances.

We will continue providing services, even with the District moving to distance learning. Per the guidance from the Governor and the Department of Education, we will not meet with students in person, but general education teachers, case managers and other support staff will use the District's designated online platform and other means to work with students and provide appropriate services that align with their IEP. In addition, virtual meetings will be set up for IEP and evaluation meetings; families will be given more information on this topic at a later date.

United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline Service

The United Way’s 211 resource hotline is available 24/7 for people in need. Certified Community Resource Specialists make referrals for COVID-19 specific resources as well as local resources such as food access, childcare, housing, and other essential services. For help, dial 211, text “MNCOVID” to 898-211 or chat online at 211unitedway.org. This helpline is confidential and multilingual.

Fernbrook Family Center

The Fernbrook Family Center is continuing to provide mental health services to all of its current clients and accepting new referrals. Learn more by calling Fernbrook at 507-446-0431.

Other Services

These following organizations are working together to provide emergency financial assistance for families regardless of citizenship status. Examples of assistance include diapers, gas cards, hygiene supplies, groceries (after a family has gone to the food shelf), clothing for work, internet set-up for school work, medication fills, and cooking supplies (crockpots/baking supplies) to make meals at home. There is also some help in the form of rent, mortgage, or utilities; however since there are federal and state programs in place to assist with these, these will only be approved in special circumstances. Three Rivers also helps support families with rent and utilities.

While these organizations strive to serve all families in need, there are numerous requests for assistance, time is needed to process requests, and not everyone will qualify for help.

Please complete the following form if you need help with basic living needs due to significant loss of income.

2020 Emergency Financial Assistance Form

​​Mental Health Crisis Resource: SE Minnesota Mobile Crisis Line 1-844-274-7472

Goodhue County Health and Human Services COVID-19 Hotline 651-385-2000

COVID-19 Health Questions: State COVID-19 Hotline 1-800-657-3903

Red Wing Youth Outreach

Hispanic Outreach

HOPE Coalition