Raider Update
A Weekly eNewsletter from Hastings Public Schools
Message from the Superintendent
Good afternoon Raider Families,
It has been both a good and challenging week for us as a district. We continue to see our COVID cases remain high, which is impacting not only students but also instructional and support staff. In addition, the information from recent news stories has given us pause to do system checks on the supports we have in place for students and families and that we are communicating those supports. This week, the school board entered the final phases of budget adjustments, which brings very difficult conversations and decisions. However, we also had a really solid week in our buildings. And, while this continues to be a stressful time for both students and staff, and some things look more normal than others, it is clear there is learning taking place and good things happening in our buildings.
Our COVID information for the week includes increases in county numbers per 10,000 (103.9) and the district number (213.6). Specific building numbers are below:
HS - 16 Students, 1 Staff
MS - 15 Students, 6 Staff
Elem - 39 Students, 2 Staff
Tilden - 0
I want to thank you all for the grace you have extended to us this fall. As our McAuliffe families demonstrated over the past two weeks, you continue to be flexible and resilient. We are so grateful to you! We will be implementing a change to how we communicate COVID cases at the two secondary buildings. Keeping families informed about COVID cases in our school community is an important - and time-intensive - part of our building nurses’, principals’, and secretaries’ work. As COVID cases rise sharply, accurately conducting contact tracing and communicating each individual case with families has become increasingly difficult, and in our secondary buildings, nearly impossible. We simply don’t have the staff to accurately and reliably keep up. Instead of sending individual messages out to impacted families every time there is a positive case, the middle school and high school will send a single summary message to the school community. The simple message will let you know how many positive cases were reported in the school on that day and provide basic information about where the cases occurred and how families can choose to respond. There will be no change in the notification for our elementary families at this time. As always, we welcome your phone calls and emails if you have questions and appreciate your patience as our staff responds to the many inquiries they receive each day. This new communication system will begin Monday, December 6th. With the number of COVID cases continuing to rise in our schools, the holiday season upon us, and cold weather keeping us indoors, we must all do our part to remain vigilant and slow the spread.
Keep your kids home if they are sick
Consider wearing face coverings when in public
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
Consider testing your child if they have any symptoms of COVID or have been exposed to COVID - even if they’ve been vaccinated.
Bob McDowell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Classroom Connections - Industrial Technology
Volunteer Opportunities Available!
Looking for something to do while your child is at school? We have just the thing!
We are seeking individuals interested in volunteering to help serve students lunch in our school cafeterias. There are opportunities available at all of our buildings, and we can work around your schedule. Shifts are two to three hours long, depending on the building.
If you are interested in volunteering, it’s as simple as clicking here to fill out our Volunteer Interest Form. Upon receiving your form, we will contact you to provide information on completing a background check, and once approved, you will be set to start volunteering.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Brittney Hirschauer at
bhirschauer@isd200.org, or by phone at 651.480.7126.
The School Store
Here is the link to the clothing available in the store.
Hastings Rotary Student of the Month for December
Here are the great words about Jon:
It is with our great pride to nominate Jon Watson for the Rotary Student of the Month. Jon is someone who lives to serve his school, community, and his peers through his leadership skills and positive attitude. The activities he is involved in at Hastings High School is Basketball, where he is a captain, National Honor Society, FCA Huddle Leader, and Student Council. Jon holds a 3.983 G.P.A. while taking AP Literature, Calc AB, AP Physics, college microeconomics, college psychology, Ap Chemistry, AP Language, APUSH, and is a SPARQ 5.
In Jon’s free time he likes to workout, fly fish, play basketball, and hang out with friends and family. His primary plan is to be admitted into the Air Force Academy and major in mechanical engineering with a focus on aeronautics.
Youth Impact Council Coin Drive Update & Upcoming CE Classes
Youth Impact Council Coin Drive Update!
Hastings High School is AMAZING! The Youth Impact Council had a busy day of coin counting, shopping, wrapping, and delivering a carload of gifts to Hastings Family Service for Project Share! We can't wait to announce the Donut Party winner(s) on Monday! Thank you to all who donated and helped us bring so much joy to 9 families this Holiday Season!!
YOUTH/Teens
- Youth Group Riding Lessons | Dec 9-30 | 6:30-7:30 PM | Cornerstone on the Vermillion
- Bedazzled Unicorn | Dec 13 | 3:30-4:30 PM | Kennedy
- Bedazzled Unicorn | Dec 14 | 3:30-4:30 PM | McAuliffe
- Bedazzled Unicorn | Dec 16 | 2:40-3:40 PM | Pinecrest
- Multiplayer Minecraft: World Builder | Dec 18 | 9 AM-Noon | Online
- Online ACT Prep Course | Anytime | Online
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Training | Dec 28-29 | 8 AM-6 PM | HMS Pool
ADULTS
- Walk Program
- Teachers – Save Your License! | Online – Anytime!
- Krumkake, Pizzelle, Sandbakkelse and Rosettes! | Dec 4 | 9-Noon | HHS
- Holiday Cooke and Candy Make & Take | Dec 11 | 10 AM-1 PM
- 3-D Holiday Packaging | Dec 14 | 6-8:30 PM | Tilden
- Gentle Yoga by Candlelight | Tu Dec 14-Jan 25 (skip 12/28) | 6:15-7:15 PM | Tilden
- Why Not to Trust your Trust | Dec 15 | 6:30-8 PM| 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
*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