Raider Update

A Weekly eNewsletter from Hastings Public Schools

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January 24, 2021
Message from the Superintendent

Message from the Superintendent

Hello Raider Families!

Overall, I am very pleased with our K-2 return to the classrooms. It was wonderful to see students back in buildings and the excitement that was generated. The question now becomes when do more students return? Our plan continues to be bringing 3rd and 4th graders back to in-person, and 5th grade to hybrid on February 1st. In working with our Regional Support Team and looking at our projected numbers, the soonest we would bring back the first groups of secondary students would be February 16th. We would then be looking at March 1st to bring in our last groups of students. I know this still feels like a long time, but we are required to follow the state guidance for secondary and need to see county numbers back at 30 per 10,000. We are restricted to bringing in a maximum of three grades, at a time, in a building, and we need maintain a two week roll in between groups moving back in. Once we know the dates and plans for certain we will again communicate out to families.


Robert McDowell, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Message from the Superintendent
Elementary K-2, Great First Week

Elementary K-2, Great First Week

We’ve had a great first week back with our kindergarten – second grade students! It is great to see and hear the excitement around learning. Many students have commented on loving to see their teachers and friends in “real life”. One even told his music teacher that he looks taller in real life than on Zoom!
Elementary K-2, Great First Week

Hasting High School Update

The Hastings High School is responding to student and parent survey results, achievement data and the need for increased individual instruction with a change in our learning model expectations. Beginning Monday, January 25 students will be required to attend class Zoom meetings 2 times each week. This will be on Monday’s and Thursday’s in a typical five-day week. Tuesday’s and Friday’s will return to teacher-directed flexibility, options and choices for students to support their learning in groups and individuals. Wednesday’s remain a FLEX day.

Transportation Update

Transportation Update

Updated transportation routing information for students in grades 2-4 is available in the Campus Portal by clicking “More” and then “Bus Information”. If your pick-up or drop-off location is not accurate, please contact your child’s Building Office.


There will be some minor updates to transportation routing for students in 5th grade. Updated information will be available no later than January 27th and can be viewed in the Campus Portal by clicking “More” and then “Bus Information”. If your pick-up or drop-off location is not accurate, please contact the Middle School Office at 651-480-7060.

Courtesy bus routes will start running again on February 1st. The courtesy bus stop schedule is available here.

Transportation Update

Meals Update

Breakfast and lunch will be offered Monday – Friday (on school days) the following ways;

Grades K-2 (starting February 1st also grades 3-4)

Meals served in school for students

Grade 5

Hybrid learning (Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, Friday) meals served in school when in the building.

Meals needed when not in school will be provided for students in the following ways;

  • Cohort A

    • Tuesday – breakfast and lunch for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

  • Cohort B

    • Friday- breakfast and lunch for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Grades 6-12 (including HOA Students)

  • Pickup 1 breakfast and 1 lunch daily at any of the following locations: (no signup required)

    • Middle School (door #22) between 8:00-10:00 am

    • Middle School (door #24) between 2:30-5:30 pm

    • High School (lower student entrance) between 10:00-12:00 pm

    • Pinecrest, McAuliffe and Kennedy (main entrance) between 3:45-4:15 pm

    • For families preferring to reduce frequency of pickups, meals can be ordered for pickup twice a week (Monday and Thursday) at the Middle School (door #24) between 8:00-10:00 am and (door #24) between 2:30-5:30 pm (signup required). Click this link to sign up.

  • Students in school can bring home meals for siblings daily (signup required). Click this link to sign up.

  • You only need to fill out the sign-up form one time. We do not need a weekly order. If something changes, please contact Brittney Hirschauer at 651-480-7126.

Pandemic-EBT Benefits for Families

Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals may be eligible for Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to purchase food for days they are not in the school building. To be considered, households must submit an application for free or reduced-price meals for the 2020-21 school year or be approved for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Families who received P-EBT benefits last summer are not automatically eligible; eligibility is based on the current school year. Benefits may be retroactive to September 2020, depending on when eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is determined. To ensure you qualify for the most benefits, please submit your application as soon as possible.

Updated State Testing Guidance Focuses on Children

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) updated its COVID-19 testing recommendations, focused primarily on young Minnesotans returning to schools, youth sports, and extracurricular activities - especially those ages 12-25.


The new guidance comes as students across the state begin returning to the classroom and extracurricular activities following Governor Walz’s loosening of restrictions on certain activities and sectors of the economy.


Read more about MDH testing guidance here.

Hastings Community Education Update

Hastings Community Education Update

  • 2021-22 Preschool classes will be opening for registration on February 22, 2021.
  • NEW Session of Driver's Education Starts in February. Registration is available now.
  • Teachers, register for the "SAVE YOUR LICENSE" Class now. This class is online and can fit into any schedule.
Hastings Community Education Update
Hastings Public Schools

Hastings Public Schools

Hastings Public Schools
The Hastings School District consists of approximately 4,300 students. Please click on the links below to email the building principal or site leader. We've also included the phone numbers to the main offices of each of our district's sites:


1000 11th Street West, Hastings, MN, USA raiderupdate@hastings.k12.mn.us 651-480-7000 hastings.k12.mn.us