Raider Update
A Weekly eNewsletter from Hastings Public Schools
Message from the Superintendent
Good afternoon Raider Families,
Masking is required at the High School beginning Monday, October 11. While the county COVID numbers are 46 per 10,000, the district number has reached 51.4 (Minnesota School Opening Statistics). The threshold for moving to required masking for everyone (k-12) is 50 (Hastings Return to In-Person Learning Plan). Therefore, beginning Monday, masking requirements will extend to the high school. This change will remain in effect for a minimum of two weeks from Monday, October 11. As of yesterday, the cumulative COVID numbers in the district are as follows:
HS -19 students, 2 staff
MS - 26 students, 2 staff
Elem - 14 students, 5 staff
Tilden - 2 students, 1 staff
With school board elections coming up in November, a candidate forum sponsored by the Hastings Chamber of Commerce was held this week and can be seen on HCTV.
Now that we are into October, it's good to review the School Calendar and Events Calendar. October brings the first round of music concerts, midterm at the secondary buildings, and conferences. In addition, zoom or in-person parent conferences will be offered at each level. Please reach out to your student's building; contact information is at the bottom of this update.
Please be sure to continue to check in with your students often. As I shared last week, the stress of being back in school full time impacts them differently. If you notice changes in your student and need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to your student's school principal or counseling office.
Like most school districts right now, we are struggling to fill positions in food service, custodial, and paraprofessionals. If you or someone you know is looking for a position, please reach out to our Human Resources department or check out our employment page.
I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend.
Bob McDowell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Update from Food Service - Changes in Menus
We apologize to students who are experiencing last-minute menu changes. As we navigate this challenging time, we appreciate your patience and understanding. Our school nutrition team is committed to providing wholesome meals to your child each day. Thank you for your continued support!
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.
Todd Field Paver Bricks
Be a part of the tradition of McNamara Stadium & Todd Field with your own permanent paver brick! Paver brick orders are open and will be accepted until November 1, 2021. Honor family and alumni represent local businesses and more with your own personalized message. Bricks will be installed on the plaza, just inside the main entrance, in the summer of 2022. Almost 100 bricks already exist at the stadium and are available for public view if interested in seeing examples of how other families and businesses designed their text. Orders and payments are both completed online. Detailed information about orders can be found at this link.
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
Peachjar for Community Partners
Our district wants families to know about valuable programs and resources in the community. To facilitate the delivery of this information, approved community organizations
can send their flyers home to families digitally through Peachjar.
If there are organizations you wish to hear from, please share the information below.
To request flyer approval, follow the steps below. Paper flyers from outside organizations will no longer be distributed.
Visit www.peachjar.com
Register as a Program Provider (account type)
Upload your flyer for approval
Your flyer will be automatically submitted to the district for approval. Once approved, your flyer will be emailed to parents and posted on each school’s web flyerboard for your selected duration of time. Peachjar charges a fee for this service that is typically much less than the cost to copy and deliver paper flyers to each school.
Conference Information from Building Principals
Elementary conferences are scheduled in the evening of Monday, October 18, and Tuesday, October 19, and during the morning of Wednesday, October 20. Conferences will be held in person unless otherwise arranged with the classroom teacher. If you wish to have a virtual conference, please reach out to the teacher after signing up. If you have any questions navigating our conference website, don't hesitate to get in touch with your child's teacher or call your school's main office (contact information below). Please sign up for a time by October 15.
Middle School Conferences
Middle School conferences are on October 19 and 20. Parents will receive email communication on Monday with further details including how to sign up and meeting format.
High School Conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences at the high school are October 19 from 5 pm - 9 pm, and October 20 from 8 am - 10:30 and noon - 3:30. All conferences will be scheduled using PTCFast, an online scheduling program that we used all last year. The PTCFast link will be messaged to all 9-12 (including HOA and ALC) on Monday, October 11 in the afternoon. Once parents log into PCTFast, you will choose which teachers you want to conference with and what times. Conferences primarily will be zoom; however, if you prefer an in-person meeting, you can schedule that by contacting your student's teacher directly AFTER you set up a time using PTCFast.
Upcoming Picture Dates For Hastings Schools
10/19/2021
Middle School Retake and Make-up Day
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
Youth
- Glow Art | Oct 21-22 | 9 am -Noon | Tilden
- Marvelously Messy Art Camp | Oct 21-22 | 1-4 pm | McAuliffe
- Claylicious | Oct 25-Nov 15 | 2:40-3:40 pm | Pinecrest
- Claylicious | Oct 26-Nov 16 | 3:30-4:30 pm | Kennedy
- Claylicious | Oct 27-Nov 17 | 3:30-4:30 pm | McAuliffe
Teens
- Need-to-Know Changes to the College Planning Process | Oct 13 | 7–8 pm | Online
- Driver’s Education | M,T,Th,F Oct 25-Nov 9 | 5:30-8:30 pm | HHS
- In-Person ACT Prep Course | Oct 27-Nov17 | HHS | 5:45-8:45 pm
Adults
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