Raider Update
Summer Updates & Information
Message from the Superintendent, Getting Schools Ready for Fall!
Dear Raider Families,
Whether your student(s) will be starting school on Tuesday, September 5, or your first encounter will be at a Raider, Set, Go Conference, I am thrilled that you chose Hastings Public Schools to provide a high-quality education for your student(s).
Our outstanding staff has feverishly been preparing to make the 2023-2024 school year the very best that it can be. From putting the finishing touches on classrooms to finalizing recipes, to the final cleaning of our facilities, everyone is diligently preparing for the return of our students.
As you make your final preparations this weekend, please review the following:
Transportation: All up-to-date schedules are available in your parent portal.
Menus: All menus are now digital and available for each building. All students will be provided a daily breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family.
Event Calendar: Don’t miss out on any Raider events.
I look forward to meeting all of you and our partnership in the 23-24 school year. On behalf of our entire district, we are proud to serve your family.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tamara Champa
Superintendent
Health Services Update
Illness and Keeping your Child Home
A student should not come to school (and may be sent home from school) if they have or have had:
a fever of 100 degrees F or more in the past 24 hours
vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
an undiagnosed skin rash
Reporting Absences
If your student will not be at school, please call and report the reason for their absence. If your student is ill, please report their symptoms and/or any diagnosed communicable condition like chicken pox, strep throat, cough and fever, influenza, or pink eye. It is recommended that you follow the MDH and CDC exclusion guidelines for communicable diseases.
Immunizations
In order to attend school, students must show that they're in compliance with Minnesota School Immunization Requirements (see the Minnesota Department of Health Link below for more Information). Hastings School's immunization policy states that students who are not up to date on their immunizations will not be allowed to start school until they provide the school with documentation that they have received the required immunizations.
Parents/guardians may check their student's immunization status by logging on to the parent portal in Infinite Campus. To see the immunization records, click on the HEALTH tab. If your student's immunization status says "current for grade" in ALL immunizations required by law, then the student is up to date and ready for the start of school. If your student is not current, they will need to get the required immunizations to attend the first day of school. Yearly physicals with their healthcare provider are strongly encouraged for students to have optimal health.
Parents/guardians may choose to decline immunizations for their students by filing a legal exemption with the school. Student Immunization Form
Staggered Start for the First Day of School
Still Time to Enroll!
Minnesota Free School Meals Program
What is the Minnesota Free School Meals Program?
The Minnesota Free School Meals Program provides state reimbursement to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program so that students can have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost at school.
Can the meals be picked up or brought home like we did during the pandemic?
No. Congregate meal service is required in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Meals may not be taken off campus, sent home, delivered, or picked up by parents or others.
Do I still need to complete the Application for Educational Benefits?
Families need to complete the Application for Educational Benefits. Applications for Educational Benefits determine how much funding your child’s school receives for educational programs and support. Additionally, eligible families can qualify for other benefits, such as:
- WIC Benefits
- Metro Transit Assistance Program
- FCC Affordable Connectivity Program/Reduced price internet programs
- Some summer camps, athletics programs, and child cares offer scholarships or discounts
What is included in the MN Free School Meals Program?
The student must choose at least three items to be counted as a reimbursable meal at breakfast. The student must choose a ½ cup serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their breakfast. At lunch, the student must choose at least three components to be counted as a reimbursable meal. The student must choose a ½ cup serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their lunch.
What is NOT included in the MN Free School Meals Program?
Single-item purchases and non-reimbursable meals are not free. Some examples include: a carton of milk, snack items, a second entrée, a second breakfast, or a second lunch, meals that do not meet the minimum requirements, and meals served to teachers, staff, and other adults.
The price for breakfast and lunch meals will be $0 for all sites.
Fill out the Form! The Application for Education Benefits helps determine how much education funding your school will receive. Complete an application for your student for the school year 2023-24.
- Students and families may qualify for other program fee reductions based on their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Parents should complete an Application for Education Benefits.
- Only meals that meet the requirements are reimbursed. Students that want additional or single items will be charged for those items.
- The 2023-24 Free and Reduced Meal Application will be available online this summer on the district website under Food Service, and a paper application has been mailed out to families.
For more information, please call Andrea Seleski 651-480-7050 or Brittney Hirschauer 651-480-7126
2023-2024 School Picture Information & Dates
Cahill Studios New Picture Day Process!
All galleries will be delivered to parents via email 2-5 business days after picture day. There will also be paper order forms available at the school if you would like to order your student's school headshot with a gray background with cash or check. All paper order forms must be given to the photographer on Picture Day.
Cahill Studios will be sending you a picture day reminder a week before picture day from the following email address: no-reply@imagequix.com, so keep a lookout! You'll be able to view their 100+ FREE background options so you can best coordinate your students' outfit! Don't forget to dress head to toe and get your haircuts done!
Don't like your first-day photos?
Wait to purchase photos, and your child can have their picture taken on Retake Day.
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Cahill Studios' dedicated Customer Service Team.
Email: service@cahillphotostudio.com
Office Number: 715-268-9363
Toll-Free Number: 866-229-0135
Picture Dates:
Tuesday, September 5th
9th Grade Picture Day
Thursday, September 7th
6th Grade & 7th Grade Picture Day
Friday, September 8th
5th Grade & 8th Grade Picture Day
Wednesday, September 20th
Elementary Schools Picture Day
High School Picture Day
Retake Dates:
Tuesday, October 10th
Middle School Retake Day
Tuesday, October 17th
High School Retake Day
Wednesday, October 25th
Elementary Schools Retake Day
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