Raider Update
March 19, 2023
Message from the Superintendent
Hello Raider Families,
I hope the week off of school treated you all well! With Spring Break behind us and only 56 days of instruction left, our sights move toward the end of the year. This is a great time to start thinking about immunizations and sports physicals. These are two separate items that need to be scheduled with your student's medical provider. Students who, for the 2023-24 school year, will be entering preschool, kindergarten, seventh grade, and twelfth grade have requirements. And sports physicals are needed every three years. The MN Department of Health Immunization forms and exemption information can be found here. Also, for planning, next year's school calendar and the 24-25 school calendar can be found here.
Before spring break, at multiple School Board meetings, and in my State of the District presentation, the expiring Levy was discussed. The State of the District presentation slides can be found here, and the video can be found here. There will continue to be discussions during board meetings this spring because the School Board will need to make some decisions about what the November ballot might look like for ISD200. This Levy has been in place for ten years and provides approximately $3 million annually to pay for the operations of the District. This Levy differs from the 2017 Bond we discussed because Bond dollars generally cannot be used for operations. These get confusing because they are both a form of a local referendum. However, an easy way to remember how they are different is to think, "Bonds are for Buildings; Levies are for Learning." Hastings Public Schools relies on the Levy, set to expire in November, to provide needed revenue not provided by the state funding formula. We all know that strong schools are needed to keep communities strong. Please stay informed and engaged as the School Board works through this process.
Bob McDowell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
We’re Listening! Raider Engagement Surveys
Our second annual Raider Engagement Surveys are just around the corner. These annual surveys are given to students, families/guardians, and staff. These surveys help us understand the experiences we all are having within our district and help identify what we should continue doing and what we can do better. The survey questions align with the Desired Daily Experiences articulated within our Bridge to Learning Strategic Plan. Staff and family/guardian surveys will begin on March 20 and continue through April 7. Buildings will communicate the timing of the student survey.
Here are the questions the students will be asked on the Raider Student Engagement Survey:
Likert Scale Questions (Strongly Agree, Agree, In between, Disagree, Strongly Disagree)
I am valued, respected, and accepted for who I am.
I feel safe physically and emotionally at school.
My gender, race, and language are accepted at school.
I have a voice and some choice in my learning.
I am listened to by adults and my peers at school.
My learning needs are known and supported in school.
My health needs (mental, emotional, and physical) are known and supported in school.
I have good friends at school and we have time to be together during the school day.
I am engaged in my learning and I enjoy it.
Free Response Questions
What I most like about my school is…
What I would like to change most about my school is…
Hastings Public Schools
- Kennedy Elementary (K-4) 651-480-7221
- McAuliffe Elementary (K-4) 651-480-7390
- Pinecrest Elementary (K-4) 651-480-7280
- Hastings Middle School (5-8) 651-480-7060
- Hastings High School (9-12) 651-480-7470
- Hastings Alternative Learning Center 651-480-7690
- Tilden Community Center 651-480-7670
*If you need any assistance in translating the Raider Update, contact us at kgorr@isd200.org.
Website: www.hastings.k12.mn.us
Location: 1000 11th Street West, Hastings, MN, USA
Phone: 651-480-7000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hastingspublicschools