Raider Update
A Weekly eNewsletter from Hastings Public Schools
Message from the Superintendent
Hello Raider Families,
We have made it to MEA weekend! I hope conferences went well for you and your students. I want to continue to stress that if you need support with your students regarding mental health, please reach out to your buildings (contacts below).
Switching gears a bit to chemical health, you probably have seen reports of increased overdoses nationwide, most recently with fentanyl. The significant issues with fentanyl are that it takes a very small amount to overdose, and suppliers are mixing it with, or creating it to look like, other less potent drugs. Truly, one pill can kill. Therefore, it's important to talk to kids about this danger. If you need resources or help, please reach out to your student's counseling office or building principal.
Below are this week's positive case numbers. Rather than providing cumulative numbers, we will move to a weekly count of positive COVID cases by building. Even with only two days this week, we did see some additions.
HS - 2 students
MS - 1 student
Elementary - 6 students
Tilden - 1 student
As of today, the 14-day per 10,000 numbers are 47.9 for the county and 70.8 for the district. We will continue to watch numbers every week and communicate any changes. I hope you enjoy the weekend!
Bob McDowell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Update from Food Service
We need your help!
You can help generate state aid for our school district by completing the attached Application for Educational Benefits form or you can fill it out online by going to the Hastings Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services page.
Only one application is needed per household. You don’t need to guess if your household qualifies, you just fill out the form and the district will take care of the rest. Students in households that meet the free or reduced-price meal guidelines will generate compensatory revenue for Hastings School District that helps to meet the needs of students who are behind their peers, such as remedial instruction, instructional materials including digital learning and technology, bilingual programs, and additional teachers and teacher aides. These applications may also make teachers in your school eligible for the Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program if they have outstanding college loans.
Thank you for taking the time to fill out this application!
Did You Know?
That you can work for Hastings Public Schools and still be home to get your children on and off the bus for school? You can and you’ll get great benefits too!
We are currently seeking individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of kids to fill Paraprofessional and Food Service positions. The hours for food service positions generally range from 2 to 5.75 hours per day and the para positions are usually 5.75 hours per day. In addition to the satisfaction you’ll get from being a part of something important, you’ll receive:
Great pay (starting rates ranging from $15.05 to $17.84 per hour for paraprofessional positions and $13.85 to $15.05 per hour for food service positions)
Paid holidays
Paid vacation
Paid sick leave
Paid leave on emergency school closing days
District contribution toward health and dental insurance (if working a minimum of 5 hours per day)
Free admission for you and a guest to most district athletic and fine arts events
Not able to commit to every day? No problem, work as a substitute and have the flexibility to work the days and times you want, in the positions that you choose.
To apply, please go to http://www.hastings.k12.mn.us/employment
We are also seeking individuals to fill the following custodial positions:
Cleaner (4 hours) -- work shift is 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
High school custodian (8 hours) -- work shift is 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. with a paid lunch break
Pinecrest/Kennedy custodian (8 hours) -- work shift is 2:30 to 10:30 p.m. with a paid lunch break
Middle School custodian (8 hours) – work shift is 2:30 to 10:30 p.m. with a paid lunch break
Custodial positions receive the same types of benefits as those provided to food service and paraprofessionals, with fully paid single health insurance.
To apply, please go to http://www.hastings.k12.mn.us/employment.
If you have any questions about employment with Hastings Public Schools, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Tonia Wood – twood@isd200.org / 651.480.7021
Cathy Moen – cmoen@isd200.org / 651.480.7002
School Board Elections
Absentee Ballot Information:
For those community members who wish to vote early, absentee ballot voting started on Friday, September 17th, 2021.
An application for an absentee ballot can be obtained at the Hastings Middle School Main Office between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday - Friday. The Hastings Middle School Main Office is located at:
1000 W 11th St.
Hastings, MN 55033
ATTENTION: Hastings School District Election Offices will be closed on Friday, October 22nd, 2021 but will be available again on Monday, October 25th, 2021.
Community members have the opportunity to either pick one of these applications up in person to fill out on-site to vote in person, drop it off later, or mail it back. Community members can also request to have one sent to you via mail. If you would like one sent via mail please call or email us at:
Email: elections@isd200.org
Phone: 651-480-7000
Absentee Ballot applications and ballots can be returned either via mail or in person.
Upcoming Picture Dates For Hastings Schools
10/26/2021
High School Retake and Make-up Day
10/27/2021
Pinecrest, Kennedy, and McAuliffe Elementary Retake and Make-up Day
Upcoming Classes at Hastings Community Ed
ECFE
- Virtual Bedtime Story Night | Nov 4 | 6:30-7 PM | Free {registration required}
- STEAM: Mysteries of the World Around Us | Nov 9, 16 & 23 | 6-7 PM | Tilden | $30
- ECFE LIVE | Nov 17-Jan 26* | 10-11 AM | Online | $25
- Baby Talk | Nov 18-Jan27* | 9-10 AM | Tilden
- Tales & Trails Winter Adventures | Nov 19, Dec 3, 10, 17 | 9:45-11 AM | Various locations | $20
Hastings Public Schools
- Tilden Community Center 651-480-7670
- 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
*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