Raider Update
A Weekly eNewsletter from Hastings Public Schools
Message from the Superintendent
Good afternoon Raider Families,
We have made the decision to keep our high school in hybrid learning for the remainder of the school year. Since our move, we have already seen a reduction in the number of students needing to quarantine. We hope this will allow the most students to stay “in school” and continue to participate in other activities.
A big thank you to everyone who has been participating in our Strategic Planning Process. With roughly 1400 people participating in our district-wide survey, this past week’s work has been engaging in Focus Groups with families and completing a process with staff from across the district. Next week work begins with building administration and staff to look closely at how each building operates, both from a culture standpoint and facility standpoint. We are on track to have our information collection completed by the end of May for presentation to the school board, so they can engage in the work of setting vision and direction for the district.
I want to acknowledge the work of our Equity Action Planning Team and our entire staff. Everyone stepped up and was prepared to engage with students and create space for conversation and expression surrounding the events of this past week. And I want to continue to express my gratitude to all of you for the support, conversations, and guidance you are providing your children. It takes all of us working together!
Bob McDowell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Looking at Workplace Culture Through an Equity Lens
Last fall, Hastings Public Schools created a 23-member Equity Action Planning Team with staff from all buildings in response to various events taking place both locally and nationally. The Team’s charge is to collectively design, deliver, and be champions of anti-racist actions and systems to actively provide a safe and supportive place for our current and future students to learn.
The Team has been meeting bi-weekly for several months and recently began an 8-session training called “Transforming Workplace Culture,” facilitated by the YMCA’s Equity Innovation Center. The goal of the training is to equip staff with insights and tools to help ensure our schools are places where all students and staff can thrive, regardless of background. The Team compiled some notes and examples from their first and second training sessions to give staff and parents an opportunity to explore some of what is being discussed.
If you’d like to learn more about the Equity Action Planning Team’s work and what it can mean for Hastings Public Schools students and staff, contact Jenn Reichel, Director of Teaching and Learning (jreichel@hastings.k12.mn.us; 651-480-7011) or Gabe Moreno, Equity Coordinator (gmoreno@hastings.k12.mn.us; 651-480-7482).
2021-2022 School Building Start/Dismissal Times
High School 7:50 am - 2:31 pm
Middle School 7:55 am - 2:35 pm
Pinecrest Elementary 8:00 am - 2:35 pm
McAuliffe Elementary 8:50 am - 3:25 pm
Kennedy Elementary 8:50 am - 3:25 pm
What's Happening @ Hastings Community Ed
NEW Summer Driver's Education Class Just Announced!
June 14-18 & 21-25 --> 8-11am --> Online!
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
Email: raiderupdate@hastings.k12.mn.us
Website: www.hastings.k12.mn.us
Location: 1000 11th Street West, Hastings, MN, USA
Phone: 651-480-7000