Welcome to Kennedy Elementary
October 2019
About Us
Nurse: 651-480-7224
Kids' Campus: 651-480-7257
Hastings Bus Company: 651-437-1888
Website: kennedy.hastings.k12.mn.us
Location: 1175 Tyler Street, Hastings, MN, United States
Phone: 651-480-7220
September is already behind us! We had an excellent beginning to the school year. The students have been “all smiles” and enthusiastic about learning. Of course, being back with friends and having an opportunity to make new friends is a plus too.
Dates to remember
October
7 - PTA Meeting at 6:30 PM
9 - First day to order tshirts/sweatshirts online (see article below)
14 - Evening Conferences & Book Fair 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
15 - Evening Conferences & Book Fair 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
16 - NO SCHOOL - Morning Conferences & Book Fair 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
17 & 18 - NO SCHOOL (Teacher Association Days)
23 - Last day to order tshirts/sweatshirts online (see article below)
November
6 - Picture Retakes
18 - NO SCHOOL - Change in Calendar
27, 28, 29 - NO SCHOOL
FALL CONFERENCES
Elementary conferences are scheduled in the evening of Monday, October 14th and Tuesday, October 15th and during the morning of Wednesday, October 16th.
Click here to access the Conference Sign Up
Fall Book Fair
October 14th 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
October 15th 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
October 16th 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
A wide variety of books and items will be available.
Curriculum Parent Advisory Committee
Ever wonder how a district really works, how they make curricular decisions, want to provide a parent’s perspective, or just want to connect with other parents? If so, then I have a committee for you! We are currently seeking parents just like you for our district’s Curriculum Parent Advisory Committee. If you are at all interested, please reach out to me and let me know! I am excited to talk to you further about it!
Thanks,
Kyle Latch
Upcoming retirement of secretary Marcia Crandall
Kennedy Spirit Shirts and Sweatshirts
We are excited to roll out a new way of ordering shirts. We will be using online ordering.
Kennedy tshirts and sweatshirts will be sold in October and February ONLY.
For October, shirts will be sold online between October 9th and October 23rd. Please have your orders in by the end of the day on the 23rd. You will not be able to order after the 23rd until February.
Please use the link below to order. It is very easy and efficient. All orders will be delivered to Kennedy School and then sent home with the students when they are delivered.
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF EXPECTATIONS
1) We must make conservative driving decisions. Always Be Patient!
2) Whenever possible, prepare your child(ren) to exit the vehicle on the curbside.
3) Please pull up as far as you can, so other cars can drop off behind you.
4) Do not park your car along the curb and come into the building. If you need to come into the building for any reason, please park in one of our parking lots.
5) As the cold weather approaches, make sure you have clear visibility out all of your windows.
Drop off times are from 8:30 am 8:50 am. Children should not be dropped off before 8:30. If you need to drop off before the 8:30 bell, you can enroll your child in Kids Campus. Further information about Kid’s Campus can be obtained from the district’s website, or from our office. Please note, if your child is going to breakfast, you may drop off at 8:25 am and have them go directly to the cafeteria.
END OF DAY PICK UP FOR STUDENTS
In order to minimize interruptions to the classroom, students should not be picked up early unless it is an emergency. On those occasions when it is necessary to pick your child up during the school day, please go to the school office to sign your child out. The office secretary will call the classroom and have the student sent to the office. Teachers will not release students unless the office gives prior approval. This practice has been established to help protect your child.
DISMISSAL SAFETY
We want to make sure all students are safe at dismissal. Recently there has been an increase in the amount of families adjusting their child’s dismissal plan, particularly, mid-day. We can get up to 30 phone calls a day indicating a change in students’ dismissal procedures. Sometimes half of those calls arrive 20 minutes before dismissal. Getting everyone on the same page at the end of the day has some inherent challenges. Consistency with your child’s dismissal plans reduces stress on all parties involved. Keeping the same plan, day after day, helps us maintain safety throughout dismissal.
We understand that there are times when events occur that need to change dismissal plans. In those instances, it is recommended to have a note a day in advance, and the day of. We thank you for your advanced planning and communication.
EXAMPLE: What If My Child Is Going Home From School With A Friend?
Many children want to go home with a friend after school. If this is the situation with your child, you will need to send a note to their teacher. We will not allow a child to deviate from their regular going home route without a note giving your permission. If your child intends to ride a bus home with their friend, the bus driver also requires a note. If you follow these expectations your child will have a pleasant and easy time going home with a friend.
BUS SAFETY TRAINING
All District 200 K-4 elementary students received school bus safety training on a school bus in late September. Hastings Bus Company drivers conducted the training. They have developed lesson plans that correlate with the bus safety curriculum classroom teachers cover each fall.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
When the temperatures start to dip into the 40’s and 50’s, we do require students to wear a light jacket or sweatshirt outside. When winter arrives, winter clothing will be required.
FIELD TRIPS
Occasionally your child's teacher will extend classroom instruction and activities through field trips. Admission fees and bus expenses will be covered by the funds from our fall fundraiser.
Before going on a field trip, teachers will send home permission slips to be signed by their parent or guardian. Permission must be granted prior to attending an activity. We believe that students need to provide their parents/guardians with the forms and to have them returned at least one day prior to the trip.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY EARLY OPEN
Overcoming Anxiety
Let your children know you care. If your children are anxious about school, send personal notes in the lunch box or book bag. Reinforce the ability to cope. Children absorb their parent's anxiety, so model optimism and confidence for your child. Let your children know that it is natural to be a little nervous anytime you start something new but that they will be just fine once they become familiar with classmates , the teacher, and school routine.
Do not over react. If the first days are a little rough, try not to over react. Young children in particular may experience separation anxiety or shyness initially but teachers are trained to help them adjust. If you drop them off, try not to linger. Reassure them that you lave them, will think of them during the day, and will be back. Remain calm and positive.
Acknowledge anxiety over a bad experience the previous year. Children who had a difficult time academically or socially or were teased or bullied may be more fearful or reluctant to return to school. If you have not yet done so, share your children's concern with the school and confirm that the problem has been addressed. Reassure your children that the problem will not occur again in the new school year, and that you and the school are working together to prevent further issues. Reinforce your children's ability to cope. Give your children a few strategies to manage a difficult situation on their own. But encourage your children to tell you or the teacher if the problem persists. Maintain open lines of communication with the school.
Arrange play dates. Try to arrange get-togethers with some of your children's classmates before school starts and during the first weeks of schools to help them re-establish positive social relationships with peers.
Family Matters - A resource from the National Association of Scho0l Psychologists
KIDS CAMPUS EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING
If the Hastings Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather conditions, the Kids Campus Program will also be closed. If school is delayed two hours in opening, Kids Campus will be open at the regular time (6:30 am).
If school closes two hours early, then Kids Campus sites will close two hours early
(4:00 pm). Parents will be called and notified by Kids Campus staff to pick up their child.
Please pick up your child by 4:00 pm or authorize someone else to pick up your child by that time. Please listen to the radio and TV for school closing announcements.
Breakfast and Lunch Prices
Click here for a cost breakdown of meals for each month
Breakfast Prices
Full Pay Meal Prices:
Kindergartners FREE
Grades 1-4: $1.30
Reduce Pay Meal Price:
All grade levels: FREE
Adult Meal Price:
All grade levels: $1.80
Extra Milk or Milk Only $0.50
Lunch Prices
Full Pay Meal Prices:
Grades K-4: $2.70
Reduce Pay Meal Price:
All grade levels: FREE
Adult Meal Price:
All grade levels: $3.80
Extra Milk or Milk Only $0.50
Character Trait: Ready to Learn
Week 1
Jacob F.
Gabrielle M.
Hazel P.
Kaylyn R.
Olivia C.
Natalie L.
Week 2
Josie L.
Kaylynn L.
Ryder H.
Abigail S.
Waverly D.
Ellie D.
Community Education Recreational Opportunities
TO REGISTER: Call 651-480-7670 or register online at www.HastingsCommunityEd.com