Thank you to all the families who attended the book fair over conferences. We sold over $4,600 in books and earned $2,348.97 in Scholastic Dollars. These funds allow the school to purchase materials for classrooms and new books for the Library. Mark your calendar for our Spring Book Fair March 1 - 3, 2023.

Friday November 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the Pinecrest Gym, the PTA will be hosting a Family Movie Night. On Election Day, Tuesday November 8th, the students will cast their vote for which movie will be shown: Lightyear, The Bad Guys, or Sing 2. Snacks and Water will be available for purchase.

If you would like to learn more about the PTA and what we do, our next meeting is Monday November 14th at 5:30pm in the Pinecrest Library. We encourage every family to Join the PTA as your annual dues help support activities like Movie Night.

In order to minimize interruptions to the classroom, students should not be picked up early unless it is an emergency. On those occasions when it is necessary to pick your child up during the school day, please go to the school office to sign your child out. The office administrative assistant will call the classroom and have the student sent to the office. Teachers will not release students unless the office gives prior approval. This practice has been established to help protect your child.

It is important that you have accurate phone numbers on file for your student. Although we are using a calling system to contact families in case of inclement weather, the district will still continue to post school delays or closings in the following ways:

Official school closing announcements will be made on Hastings KDWA Radio 1460, WCCO-Channel 4, KSTP-Channel 5, KMSP-Channel 9 and KARE-Channel 11 television and Hastings Public School Website.

Click HERE for instructions on how to update contact information in Infinite Campus Parent Portal

The district has adopted a wellness policy. We are still celebrating student birthdays; we are just not doing so with birthday treats. We ask that students not bring any treats in honor of their birthday.

If the Hastings Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather conditions, the Kids Campus Program will also be closed. If school is delayed two hours in opening, Kids Campus will be open at the regular time (6:30 am).

If school closes two hours early, then Kids Campus sites will close two hours early

(4:00 pm). Parents will be called and notified by Kids Campus staff to pick up their child.

Please pick up your child by 4:00 pm or authorize someone else to pick up your child by that time. Please listen to the radio and TV for school closing announcements.

Let your children know you care. If your children are anxious about school, send personal notes in the lunch box or book bag. Reinforce the ability to cope. Children absorb their parent's anxiety, so model optimism and confidence for your child. Let your children know that it is natural to be a little nervous anytime you start something new but that they will be just fine once they become familiar with classmates , the teacher, and school routine.

Do not over react. If the first days are a little rough, try not to over react. Young children in particular may experience separation anxiety or shyness initially but teachers are trained to help them adjust. If you drop them off, try not to linger. Reassure them that you lave them, will think of them during the day, and will be back. Remain calm and positive.

Acknowledge anxiety over a bad experience the previous year. Children who had a difficult time academically or socially or were teased or bullied may be more fearful or reluctant to return to school. If you have not yet done so, share your children's concern with the school and confirm that the problem has been addressed. Reassure your children that the problem will not occur again in the new school year, and that you and the school are working together to prevent further issues. Reinforce your children's ability to cope. Give your children a few strategies to manage a difficult situation on their own. But encourage your children to tell you or the teacher if the problem persists. Maintain open lines of communication with the school.

Arrange play dates. Try to arrange get-togethers with some of your children's classmates before school starts and during the first weeks of schools to help them re-establish positive social relationships with peers.

Family Matters - A resource from the National Association of School Psychologists