Raider Update
A Weekly eNewsletter from Hastings Public Schools
Message from the Superintendent
Happy August Raider Nation,
We Care, We Empower, We Achieve - Students are the heart of all we do. I am excited to share our newly updated mission statement approved by the school board last week as part of the strategic planning process. They also approved vision statements, core values, and strategic anchors, which can be accessed on our website. The timing is fantastic, and along with our operational plan, will be a compass for our decision-making. Thank you to all who provided input over the past months.
It continues to be a busy summer, with many students attending summer school and engaged in other activities. In addition, our custodial/maintenance staff have been getting our buildings ready, and several construction projects are coming to completion. I am so excited to get our students and staff back into buildings!
I know many of you are watching the changing landscape with regard to the pandemic, and I know it is causing continued anxiety for some concerning what school will look like for our students in Hastings- masking in particular. We watch developments closely daily and communicate with Dakota county health officials regarding the latest data and recommendations. While we are planning for a continuum of contingencies, our school board is hoping for more information closer to the start of the school year and will be discussing the masking topic at their next work session. That said, it's important to note the board does not make decisions or take votes at work sessions.
Although we still have over a month from the start of school, you can expect to begin seeing more specific information from your student's buildings regarding the start of the school year.
I hope you can take time, in the next month, for summer activities. We will continue to keep you updated with any changes related to the start of the year.
Bob McDowell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
School Board Update for July 28, 2021
- Food Service was highlighted and shared that over 15,000 breakfasts and 15,000 lunches were provided during June and July.
- A good deal of time was spent on policy work as the board continues to update policies.
- The resolution calling the General Election taking place in November was approved.
- The Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Strategic Anchors were approved as part of the Strategic Plan.
You can view the July 28th School Board meeting in its entirety here. The next regular school board meeting is on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 6:00 PM at the Middle School Media Center. For more information about the school board, meeting dates, agendas, and minutes, visit our School Board page.
Staggered Start for the First Day of School
Still Time to Enroll!
New Teaching & Learning Director
DIGITAL FLYER DELIVERY STARTS AUGUST 19
Exciting news! In an effort to provide increased access to programs and resources that improve the trajectory of our students’ lives, Hastings Public Schools is preparing to launch Peachjar. This new platform will enable us to send important school and community flyers to parents digitally, saving our schools time, money, and paper.
School-approved digital flyers will be sent to your email inbox where you can easily click to sign up for events and programs. No more rifling through binders to find this helpful information.
You’ll receive a welcome email from Peachjar. No action is required to begin receiving this communication from your school.
To ensure you don’t miss notifications, we suggest you add school@peachjar.com to your email contacts and click “always display images” when you receive your first email.
Peachjar is used exclusively for the distribution of school-approved flyers only. Your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to ensure parents are well informed about school programs, activities, and events!
Hastings High School Fall Sports Registration
Registration for HHS fall sports will open July 15, 2021, at 7:00 a.m. Registrations will close on Thursday, August 12, at 11:00 p.m. Late registrations will open Tuesday, August 17 at 7:00 a.m. Additional detailed information is posted on the registration page of the HHS athletics website at this link. Please review details about sports qualifying physicals, clearance lists, participation fees, and managers.
The first date of practice for all fall sports will be Monday, August 16. Sport-specific questions about practice and try-out information should be directed to the sport head coach. A complete staff directory, contact information, and team sport web pages can be found at www.hastingsathletics.org.
The HHS athletic office has limited office hours during the summer. Registration questions can be directed to jkranz@isd200.org. Emails will be checked, and physicals will be entered about 1x per week starting in mid-July. The athletic office returns to regular daily hours on August 9.
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@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