Letter: Red Wing residents can be proud of public schools

To the Editor:

I have had the opportunity to substitute teach in Twin Bluff and at the senior high and have had great experiences at each school. Having been in public education for 40-plus years gives me some insight as to identifying a good school.

A sub’s day starts with signing in at the office early in the morning. When I am greeted by wonderful secretaries and given great lesson plans and directions, I know that I am going to have a good day. Principals quite often greet you — and the Twin Bluff principal even carries a cloth when supervising the cafeteria to wipe up table spills.

Red Wing has a great program for special needs students. Their teachers and paras have phenomenal patience and joy. The students experience adaptive phy ed, music and other skill-building experiences. Some have meaningful jobs in the cafeteria.

The student respect level in both buildings is excellent. Some high school girls even say “thank you” when I am passing out a quiz or worksheet (Wow!). Thank you, mom and dad, for this touch of “class.”

Twin Bluff is emphasizing reading as there is a large color photo of each teacher with their “favorite book” at the entrance of their classroom. All this is made possible by the efforts of Sara, the media para, who maintains the thousands of exciting books in the media center. She oversees hundreds of books checked out and in each day. She also “gets to” restart down computers in the school.

Your district is to be commended for maintaining strong vocational hands-on offerings (home ec, agriculture, shop, art, business, etc.). Your big neighbor to the south (Rochester) has trashed their vocational classes the past 20 years. Now they want part of their extra sales tax to help rebuild those programs. Evidently sending everyone to a four-year college isn’t the best idea.

I know that seeing the school tax levy on your property tax statement is maddening when you are no longer part of the school (children are grown), but rest assured, you are supporting a great school. The rewards will be the next generation which is looking good at this time. Be proud of your schools.

Don Buck

Zumbrota

Tags: letters, opinion