Raider Update
A Weekly eNewsletter from Hastings Public Schools
Message from the Superintendent
Strong Schools link to Community Well-Being
Last week I shared a link to the survey reports given to the school board, and we also shared a graphic. However, as I reflected on it, I believe I should have been more overt about what the survey was and how the information provides insight into how residents feel about our great district.
As I mentioned last week, the school board received a presentation of the summary of findings of a scientific random-sample survey of the district’s registered voters. While portions of the survey focused on residents’ attitudes toward future levy renewal and increases, tax implications, and communication preferences, the survey also captured resident perceptions of how the district is doing and what they perceive as important. The results suggest the district is seen as doing really well, which is important given the significant disruption and change since the 2017 survey, and that 92 percent of respondents link strong schools with community well-being.
Residents gave Hastings Public Schools high marks for a variety of areas. They were asked to provide an overall grade for the district, and 65% of respondents gave the district A’s and B’s. When compared to a national benchmark for this information, Hastings Public Schools has a much higher proportion of A and B grades than most districts. In addition, when compared to the 2017 survey, the grades are almost exactly the same.
Respondents were also asked the reason for the grade they provided. Quality of instruction was ranked the highest. And after removing the reasons of “other” and “no response,” Leadership and Management were the second-highest reason provided for the grade. Specific to Financial Management, 33 percent of respondents had no opinion. However, of the remaining respondents, 43 percent gave the district grades of A and B. Again, these grades remain consistent with the responses from 2017.
While there is still more to be done, the work of our staff and students shines through, and the community notices whether they have students in our school or not. Thank you to the Hastings Community for the continued support of our wonderful school district. As mentioned before, the details of the reports can be found on our district website as attachments to the April 13th board work session.
Bob McDowell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Empty Bowls
Hastings High School Ceramics Students present:
You are invited to attend the Empty Bowls event on Tuesday, April 26th at 5:30 p.m. in the HHS commons. Guests can choose their bowl and enjoy a light meal from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. followed by a short presentation on hunger in our community and the world. Empty Bowls events happen all over the world and the premise is simple; guests choose a handmade bowl to use that evening and to take home as a reminder that there are always Empty Bowls in the
world. The suggested minimum donation is ten dollars in exchange for a meal and the bowl as a keepsake. The proceeds from Empty Bowls will be split between the Hastings Family Service (our local food shelf), and Heifer International, which will enable us to donate an ark
for needy families. An ark is oxen, rabbits, cows, sheep, goats, and healthier, hardy animals that will go forth and multiply, improving lives for countless families and children all over the world. Our goal this year is to raise $4,000 or more! It is exciting to see so many young
people passionate about working together to end world hunger. We hope you can join us!
For more information or to make a donation, feel free to contact HHS art teacher Bert Casperson at bertcasperson@isd200.org Thank you!!
Escape the Vape 3rd Place Winner: Isabella Larson, Hastings Middle School
Our very own Isabella Larson is this year’s Escape the Vape video contest Middle School Division 3rd place winner for her video submission.
The Escape the Vape video contest asked Minnesota middle and high school students to create and submit a 30-second public service announcement video to educate their peers on the dangers of vaping. The contest, now in its second year, is a collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Health; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota; Tobacco-Free Alliance; CCF Advertising; Medtronic; the Minnesota Youth Council; and Allina Health’s Change to Chill.
Students from more than 70 Minnesota schools around the state created videos. Students submitted 263 entries in total. Sixty-five middle and high school students, many from the Minnesota Youth Council, served as judges and helped select the ten finalists. Public voting opened on March 23. More than 1,900 people voted online to choose the winners for each division. Watch the winning videos at Escape the Vape.
The Dakota Broadband Board (DBB) is currently conducting a survey to help better understand broadband needs and current access in Dakota County. The data collected by the survey will be used to further inform future decisions about broadband expansion, eligibility for state and federal grants, and also to identify opportunities for collaboration with private sector providers. Since access to fast, reliable internet is important to students, their families, and educators (especially over the past couple of years) throughout the county, we are sharing information about the survey.
Here is the link to the residential survey:
Residential
https://projects.designnine.com/survey/dakota-residential
The survey will be open through May 20, 2022.
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