CHAPTER 14 Lifelong Learning VISION STATEMENT: Our entire community collaborates in creative ways to educate and inspire all residents to reach their full potential.

February 25, 2019

227 Red Wing 2040 Community Plan career training that involves exciting collaborations introduction between the schools, local college, and local Lifelong learning plays a critical role in the vitality industries. This decision to reinvest in Red Wing and economic health of a community. In fact, the lays a critical foundation for being a sustainable range of learning choices a community offers and viable city in the coming decades. makes the difference between a slumping city and a dynamic one. We define lifelong learning In Red Wing, formal education has been a part of as educational opportunities that encompass a our history for generations. Gustavus Adolphus strong school system and learning opportunities College and Hamline University were both founded for all ages from the very young to the elderly. in Red Wing, on West 5th Street and in Central Park respectively, in the mid-1800s as small institutions In Red Wing, residents can participate in a multitude before they relocated to other communities as of options: senior-center classes, library story times they started to grow. In the aptly named College and computer lessons, teen coding programs, Hill neighborhood, the majestic Lutheran Ladies entrepreneurial learning networks, environmental Seminary thrived for a quarter century where learning experiences, and job training courses, the Red Wing Golf Club now stands before it among others. It’s critical that Red Wing continue succumbed to fire in 1920. The smaller Red Wing to support its learning organizations, including Seminary (which later became the American strong support for the Red Wing Public Library, Lutheran School) sat at the top of College Hill and Red Wing Community Education, Red Wing Area educated young men, and later young women, Seniors, and many more too numerous to name for more than five decades before it merged with here (see the document Community Partners in the other schools, including St. Olaf College, in 1932. 2040 Online Library). Indeed, we need to listen to our local expert organizations to continue evolving Today, in 2019, Red Wing is still home to multiple our educational options and anticipating and acting educational entities. The Red Wing School District on what residents of today and the future need. includes roughly 2,650 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade who attend school in four High-quality schools lie at the heart of this grade-centered buildings: Sunnyside Elementary sphere, and are necessary for enticing new houses grades kindergarten through second families and employers to town and keeping grade, Burnside Elementary serves second through current families and businesses here. When a fourth graders, Twin Bluff Middle School consists community is responsible for all its children of fifth through seventh graders, and the Red Did You Know? and for creating and maintaining excellent Wing High School greets nearly 1,000 students schools, the town itself can grow and flourish. every day in grades eight through twelve. The Red Wing Public Library offered 234 children’s programs in 2017 and increased Red Wing recently rallied and stood up to support Additionally, Tower View Alternative High School, participation by 54% compared to 2016; a five-year referendum for its school district, not located on the grounds of the beautiful Anderson only staving off massive cuts but also saying yes Center at Tower View on the west side of town, most programming is free to the public. to more STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, serves roughly 60 students aged 16 through 21 and Arts, and Math) curriculum and more technical and offers smaller class sizes and self-paced coursework.

chapter 14 | Lifelong Learning 228 Lifelong Learning

W hat would make Red Wing a better place to live?

College and Career General School District More Preschool Programs Development/ Job Training Improvements and Early Childcare responses430 across all 2017 25% of respondents to the 2017 Greater investment in Red Wing’s Approximately 20% of respondents community engagement Community Survey believe that schools, both in terms of time and to the 2017 Community Survey there are too few job training money, was mentioned by participants believe there are too few preschool events and surveys programs in Red Wing. People in both the 2017 Community Survey programs and not enough affordable mentioned educational believe that expanding Minnesota and community engagement events. childcare in Red Wing. Participants improvements and State College Southeast, or even They believe the system needs in the summer engagement opportunities that would attracting a four-year university better funding and more community events also referenced the need enhance life in Red Wing. would broaden opportunities for participation in order to achieve for additional facilities for early young people in Red Wing. Others results. Respondents would like to see childhood education and care. The top suggestions are mentioned that apprenticeship general improvements to the quality shown to the right. programs would be useful. of education and facilities. Others think that arts, music, and science programming deserves more support.

229 Red Wing 2040 Community Plan W hat do folks like most about living in Red Wing? 136 / 4,160 Red Wing Report Card Responses 63 37 12 11 SNAPSHOT mentioned Schools and Red Wing’s Organizations Activities lifelong learning, the Educational Library like the ELC and Program including: System and YMCA Offerings Post-secondary graduation rates Compared to the state, Red Wing has relatively high rates of graduation from high school (92% vs. 82%), and comparable rates of enrollment in post- secondary education (72% vs. 70%). However, the rate of post-secondary degree completion for Red Wing’s high school graduates is much lower than expected at only 46% graduating within six years.

More Activities and Services Resources for Hispanic/ An Expanded Library for Youth Latino Individuals Red Wing’s library is a beloved Comments from both the 2017 Respondents to both the 2015 and and well-used institution. Both 46% community engagement events and 2017 Hispanic surveys indicated the 2017 Community Survey and community engagement the 2016 Student Survey expressed their desire for better support Red Wing the need for more programs and and resources when it comes to events resulted in comments activities for youth. From mentoring and education and lifelong learning. regarding additional investment outreach, to spaces for teens, to summer in the library — from a building and after school programs, people want expansion, to longer hours, more for kids to do outside of school. to more community activities High School grads who and program offerings. completed a two or four-year degree within six years

Source: Every Hand Joined; National Student Clearing House. 2017.

chapter 14 | Lifelong Learning 230 The district restructured itself from neighborhood 2017 Report Card schools into grade-center buildings in 2003 and closed a number of smaller schools to save costs, among much hand-wringing. Today some residents still long for those days. Hancock School on 12th Street was sold to St. Joseph’s Church to use as a parochial school, which ultimately closed in 2011. Colvill Elementary School on East 5th Street became Colvill Family Center, which today is the district’s fully-enrolled public preschool and site for Head Start and other programs, including Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Finally, Jefferson School (in the Old Fairgrounds neighborhood) housed the Goodhue County Educational District for years before the new River Bluff Educational Center was built adjacent to the grounds of Red Wing High School in 2017. In the new River Bluff building, at-risk students from around the county attend alternative-style classes in one of four programs: REACH serves students aged 4 through grade 12 who exhibit emotions or behaviors that significantly impact their progress in a typical school setting. The STEP program (Secondary Transition Education Program) is a community- based program that emphasizes employment and independent living skills to students aged 18 through 21. Pathways is an alternative, project- based learning program for students in grades eight through twelve. Finally, the Upwards program serves K-12 students who are either on the autism spectrum or have developmental cognitive disabilities. Red Wing can still claim one post-secondary education facility: Minnesota State College Southeast. The college opened its doors to students in 1973 as the Red Wing Area Vocational-Technical

231 Red Wing 2040 Community Plan Institute and became well known for its rare but campuses to Red Wing. The movement did, however, renowned band instrument-repair program. In pave the way for stronger local partnerships Did You Know? 1992, the school merged with Winona’s vocational and a renewed sense that education at all levels school and remains part of this dual campus. is an investment worth fighting to achieve. The school made other significant changes in 2016 The Red Wing Public Library acts as the great when it switched its name to Minnesota State equalizer in our community, offering people College Southeast and changed its mission to of all backgrounds and experiences a place to become a technical and community college, offering gather, learn, connect, experience, and grow. for the first time an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal It’s accessible, equitable, and nimble enough to Arts and Sciences so students can earn credentials meet the changing needs of residents. People In 2018, the Red Wing School District’s before transferring to a four-year college as a junior. in Red Wing continually show high support for Community Education and Recreation Recent trends in the national public’s desire for the library, and the new Library Long-Term Plan Department offered 554 classes and two-year and vocational programming make the demonstrates its ongoing motto to grow lifelong additional special events and programs, college one of the community’s biggest potential learners. Its vision, “to be a major contributor to the attended by more than 96,181* participants. educational and economic development assets. The intellectual growth, cultural vibrancy, recreational Programs are offered to every age and college’s recent addition of a forward-thinking bike opportunities, and economic well-being of a democratic community,” is appreciated by many. ability level in the areas of enrichment, skill design and fabrication program, and its creation development, academics, recreation, health of the first makerspace in town (open to the whole Red Wing is grateful to our many other local and safety, and school-age care. community), show that more collaborations with the organizations that consistently provide learning school district, businesses, economic development *Attendance calculated as an aggregate; not unique participants partners, and community at large could be exciting and economically fruitful for Red Wing. Red Wing has always wanted a four-year college— “A library in the middle of a maybe because our history shows we were so close community is a cross between an to having one. As recently as 2016, the Jones Family emergency exit, a life-raft, and a Foundation, a local philanthropic organization, festival. They are cathedrals of the led the charge to lure a four-year institution to mind; hospitals of the soul; theme town. That citywide effort rallied government, parks of the imagination. On a businesses, and civic groups together in a full- fledged push to convince college and university cold, rainy island, they are the only officials in other areas to choose Red Wing as a sheltered public spaces where you place they could expand. Ultimately, the plan did are not a consumer, but a citizen Colvill Family Center, as a part of not succeed despite a commendable, collaborative instead.” Community Ed and Rec, served 815 children attempt. With costs of colleges and universities and families through classes and activities skyrocketing, higher education institutions did not in 2018. have the appetite at the time for expanding their Caitlin Moran, Author Quoted in the Red Wing Public Library’s long-range plan

chapter 14 | Lifelong Learning 232 opportunities for all of us, including residents often Need to improve K-12 academic goals Every Hand Joined (made up of leaders from overlooked or underserved. Without them, Red Wing and close disparities governments, businesses, nonprofits, foundations, would not be the same. Some of these staple entities Although test scores aren’t the only measure of and schools) partners with the school district to include Community Education, Red Wing Area success, Red Wing’s scores compared to others improve on goals they set together with community- Seniors, the Environmental Learning Center, Youth across the state need to be better, and disparities wide networks of people who work “boots on Outreach, Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County, exist across racial and socio-economic lines. the ground” to affect and measure progress. This Red Wing Ignite, Sheldon Theatre for Performing Arts, Numbers from 2018 show only 54 percent of Red collective impact work combining schools, youth- ArtReach, Universal Music Center, HOPE Coalition, Wing’s third graders could read at the grade-level serving organizations, and the full community is an and many more. (See the Community Partners expectations set by the state, and that number important part of making progress toward removing document in the 2040 Online Library for a more dips to 36 percent when assessing students in disparities and ensuring all students are successful. extensive list.) In addition, philanthropic groups like the free- and reduced-meal program, according the Red Wing Public Schools Foundation, the Red to the Minnesota Department of Education’s Low percent of high school graduates Wing Area Fund, and the Jones Family Foundation, in “Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment” (MCA) earning two- or four-year post- addition to WINGS and the Duff Foundation, provide scores. Likewise, only 58 percent of eighth graders secondary degrees funding for educational experiences that wouldn’t be could understand basic math skills at grade-level Statistics from 2018 reflect that within one year possible without their help. Our town has much to be expectations set by the state, and that number of graduating from high school, 66 percent of proud of, but there are still areas we need to improve. drops to 37 percent when looking at scores of Red Wing’s students enroll in some kind of post- Key issues students in the free- and reduced-meal program. secondary school. However, of that 66 percent, Statistics from 2018 present racial disparities, only 50 percent of high school graduates actually Limited preschool openings too: 66 percent of white students produced complete a two- or four-year degree of some kind (based on numbers from the National Student One of the most prominent educational issues Red scores showing proficiency in math, while only 33 percent of students of color scored that way. Clearing House). The school district, Every Hand Wing faces is the lack of available preschool. High Joined, and others are working to improve this quality options do exist, and families are overall The School District’s 2018 Education Plan outlines a statistic by connecting more frequently with high happy with their choices, but classes are often full path to progress. Its vision is to provide an school graduates past and present to learn about with no vacancies available. Studies show being innovating and meaningful educational experience what can be done in the future to ensure students ready for kindergarten is one of the most important that fosters curiosity; pursues and applies best go on to achieve the goals they set for themselves. factors in foreshadowing the future success of a practices; embraces diversity by respectfully student, and attending preschool affects students’ engaging all students, families, and staff; and Need for healthier social lives not only when they’re very young but also connects and partners with our community. Its environments in and out of schools as they move through their school careers. mission is to educate and inspire all students According to the 2018 REACH survey (Relationships, as they realize their full potential and become The community has taken up this challenge Effort, Aspirations, Cognition, Heart), a healthy respectful, responsible, and productive citizens. recently and formed a task force to look at possible school environment is reflected when 80 percent or This plan is included in the Community Plan, and solutions. More work will need to be done to more of a school’s students agree or strongly agree with the vote of community support through ensure working families of all socio-economic levels to statements that describe social-emotional well- the referendum, the future looks positive. can find quality child care when they need it. being in the building. In the spring of 2018, Red Organizations are also coming together to make Wing students were surveyed in grades 6 through a difference. The community-based organization

233 Red Wing 2040 Community Plan 12. In the “Relationship” portion of the survey, only For adults of all ages, more job training and 26 percent of Twin Bluff Middle School students retraining opportunities are needed in Red Wing. agreed or strongly agreed that they had relationships Minnesota State College Southeast offers some with adults in their building; 14 percent of Red courses, but the school will likely need a more Wing High School students agreed or strongly robust curriculum since degree options are limited. agreed; 55 percent of Tower View Alternative The college is important to Red Wing’s growth, and School’s students agreed or strongly agreed. The it’s one of the main ways we draw in young adults. school district and its dedicated teachers and This is a community asset that could be expanded. other school staff are people who are passionate about students and are working to improve these L ifelong Learning Directions numbers by implementing a variety of measures »» Build stronger partnerships between the and being vigilant to measuring this metric. school system and the community Thirteen percent of a student’s life (K-12) is spent »I» mprove student academic results during school hours (17 percent not including and close disparities sleep hours). That leaves lots of time when a »S» trengthen student-adult relationships in school child or teen is not in a formal classroom. The and increase behavioral support systems community at large is partnering on a strategy »C» ontinue to improve data collection and sharing to get five caring adults in every student’s life in to ensure improved student outcomes Red Wing. The Search Institute has proven that »C» ontinue support for lifelong if children have five strong adult relationships in learning organizations, including their lives, academic motivation, socio-economic the public library and others skills, and responsibility go up and high-risk behaviors go down. It is also a proven strategy »C» ommunicate better to all residents on the across all demographics—race, class, and gender. educational opportunities available »P» articipate in state discussions to Limited options for career training, change the way schools are funded technical training, and job retraining With the passing of the school referendum in 2018, the school district will now be able to implement its new Winger Flight Paths program, working with new curriculum and local industries, businesses, and organizations to create internships and apprenticeships and better prepare students for careers. The community at large will need to be good partners and commit to helping our students prepare for the future because their success is Red Wing’s success.

chapter 14 | Lifelong Learning 234 for creative ways to build school spirit and goals, Strategies and actions a feeling of belonging for all students. Goal 14.A: Build an outstanding » Build stronger relationships and programs school district with innovative, among new families, families not often Terminology safe, respectful schools where staff connected to the school district, and those feel supported and all students who speak English as a second language. Goals: are connected and can succeed Strategy 14.A.3: Attract and retain high- Goals are broad statements that describe academically and emotionally. quality teachers by providing ways for teachers a desired outcome. They are often long-term and aspirational in scope. Strategy 14.A.1: Fully implement the and staff to be the best in their arena by School district’s Education Plan empowering them to reach excellence Strategies: » Establish a career pathways program by aligning » Improve quality of staff development trainings. curriculum, increasing connections with the Strategies are policies, projects, programs, » Include teachers’ input more often in decisions. and practices that support one or more community, and providing internships and of the plan’s goals. They address the “who, other work-based learning opportunities. » Allow for more creativity in the classroom. what, when, where, and how” of reaching » Implement more hands-on learning a goal and may involve multiple sub- and technology integration, particularly Goal 14.B: Create an environment strategies and actions. Strategies may STEAM (science, technology, engineering, where the whole community feels be ongoing and may or may not have arts, and math) curriculum. responsible for the education and definitive start and completion dates. » Provide additional resources to improve reading well-being of all its children. and math achievement for both students who are struggling and students needing higher learning. Strategy 14.B.1: Help the community understand why creating this kind of » Provide additional resources to manage discipline and enhance student behavior. community—where everyone is responsible for its children—is essential for making our town Strategy 14.A.2: Improve school climate for thrive and prosper. the social/emotional well-being of all students » Better show how a strong school district equals » Require more training for teachers and all strong economic development, and a weak staff in cultural understanding and equity. school system can be devastating to a town. » Provide more support for students’ mental » Communicate school district decision- health, including before a crisis arises. making and events better with the public » Give all students more opportunities to to help all residents feel connected to and lead in decision-making processes. knowledgeable about the district. » Look internally to our own students and » Work with businesses and industries so more teachers, and also to other communities, of them support local education as a core value and have a stake in our school system.

235 Red Wing 2040 Community Plan Strategy 14.B.2: Expand mentoring programs » Include a citywide approach to pre-K Strategy 14.C.3: Create more opportunities for all youth education so every student is ready to for fun, recreational learning with access to » Include apprenticeship programs with enter kindergarten on day one. all that builds a creative economy, adds to strong community mentors. » Include ensuring every student has a our economic development, and provides » Increase attention and resources on high school post-secondary or career path and gets a stronger, intergenerational sense of students not going to a four-year college. the personal guidance and resources community. » Engage more business support (i.e. needed to pursue those goals. » Tap into our current wide variety of employers allowing their employees to » Include adult education at all ages/stages of life, artistic and creative people to offer mentor students during paid time). incorporating the needs of diverse communities. wider variety of classes/events. » Train more bi-lingual mentors. » Continue strong support for our public Strategy 14.C.2: Offer more training and re- library, which acts as the central community Strategy 14.B.3: Foster engagement with the training opportunities for all, making sure to gathering place – where people of all kinds broader community through activities and remove barriers and provide flexibility to meet can learn, experience, connect, and grow. programs so more people are connected and people where they’re at so people have the » Broaden scope to include a more culturally responsible for our children’s well-being skills they need. diverse mix of learning experiences. » Broaden our philosophy and system so we » Create citywide apprentice program » Ensure everyone in Red Wing will experience at collaborate more and see all people in the with high school students and the least one learning opportunity or event annually. greater Red Wing community. community as potential “teachers” and find new » Work to lure more people to visit ways the community can enrich our classrooms. » Consider creating new opportunities for Red Wing to participate. » Create more internship programs with anyone looking for job retraining— including area industries and businesses, including new high school graduates and adults of healthcare, manufacturing, engineering, all ages (including seniors) who need new online library education, and business, etc. skills to enter or re-enter the workforce. You can see all of the foundational work of » Look into options for DACA (Deferred Red Wing 2040 on the City’s website, www. Goal 14.C: Strengthen educational Action for Childhood Arrivals) and red-wing.org/red-wing-2040.html opportunities citywide for people of undocumented students after high school. all ages. » Be open-minded and flexible in looking at what skills are needed in the near future and Strategy 14.C.1: Develop a visionary, be able to adapt to what is coming ahead. forward-thinking plan and overall outlook » Collaborate more with our public library, toward citywide education so Red Wing can Minnesota State College Southeast, and consistently adapt to the future. others in expanding the options available.

chapter 14 | Lifelong Learning 236 T able 14.11 StrategY matrix Strategy SHARE Principle(s) Who can help achieve this? Timing

Goal 14.A: Build an outstanding school district with innovative, safe, respectful schools where staff feel supported and all students are connected and can succeed academically and emotionally. Sustainability, Health, School District, Businesses, »S» trategy 14.A.1: Fully implement the School District’s Education Plan Ongoing Accessibility, Resiliency Non-profits, Government »S» trategy 14.A.2: Improve school climate for the social/ Health, Resiliency, School District Short emotional well-being of all students Equity »S» trategy 14.A.3: Attract and retain high-quality teachers by Sustainability, School District (Teachers providing ways for teachers and staff to be the best in their Short Resiliency, Equity and school board) arena by empowering them to reach excellence Goal 14.B: Create an environment where the whole community feels responsible for the education and well-being of all its children. »S» trategy 14.B.1: Help the community understand why creating Every Hand Joined, School Sustainability, this kind of community—where everyone is responsible for its District, City, Businesses, Long Resiliency, Equity children—is essential for making our town thrive and prosper. Public Library, Non-profits Youth Outreach, School District, Sustainability, Community Development »S» trategy 14.B.2: Expand mentoring programs for all youth Health, Accessibility Organizations, Chamber of Short Resiliency, Equity Commerce, Red Wing, Ignite, City, Every Hand Joined School District, Faith-Based »S» trategy 14.B.3: Foster engagement with the broader community Sustainability, Communities, Library, City, through activities and programs so more people are connected Health, Accessibility Chamber of Commerce, Short and responsible for our children’s well-being Resiliency, Equity Economic Development Orgs, Whole Community Goal 14.C: Strengthen educational opportunities citywide for people of all ages. Sustainability, School District, Library, »S» trategy 14.C.1: Develop a visionary, forward-thinking plan and overall outlook Health, Accessibility Community Education, Long toward citywide education so Red Wing can consistently adapt to the future. Resiliency, Equity City, Full Community

237 Red Wing 2040 Community Plan Strategy SHARE Principle(s) Who can help achieve this? Timing

School District, Chamber of Commerce, MN State »S» trategy 14.C.2: Offer more training and re-training opportunities for Sustainability, College SE, Red Wing Ignite, all, making sure to remove barriers and provide flexibility to meet Health, Accessibility Long Every Hand Joined, Library, Resiliency, Equity people where they’re at so people have the skills they need. Community Education, Businesses, Non-profits »S» trategy 14.C.3: Create more opportunities for fun, recreational learning Sustainability, Community Recreation, Library, with access to all that builds a creative economy, adds to our economic Health, Accessibility Short Non-profits, Businesses development, and provides a stronger, intergenerational sense of community. Resiliency, Equity

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