Raider Update
January 21, 2024
Message from the Superintendent
Greetings Raider Families and Staff,
In today’s Raider Update you’ll find calendar reminders, calendar survey results and Minnesota statute information regarding school calendars.
2024 Calendar Reminders - With the end of the semester, please remember that tomorrow, Monday, January 22nd is a non school day/teacher work day. Please click here for the entire 23-24 calendar.
2025-2026 Calendar Feedback - Thank you to all of you who provided feedback on the 25-26 school calendar. The survey results are provided below, which provided clear direction that the preference for the 25-26 calendar included: start after Labor Day, provide at least one week for a winter break, align staff development to natural breaks, include spring break and end a week after Memorial Day.
2025-2026 Draft Calendar - In the very near future, the draft 25-26 calendar will be available on our website. While all of the above guidelines/parameters were followed, there will always be additional opinions and thoughts on the calendar. Please know that in addition to local guidelines and preferences, Minnesota Statute determines the number of days and hours that school instruction must be scheduled. I have included the statute below for your review.
MINNESOTA STATUTE 120A.41 LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR; HOURS OF INSTRUCTION
(a) A school board's annual school calendar must include at least 425 hours of instruction for a kindergarten student without a disability, 935 hours of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 6, and 1,020 hours of instruction for a student in grades 7 through 12, not including summer school. The school calendar for all-day kindergarten must include at least 850 hours of instruction for the school year. The school calendar for a prekindergarten student under section 124D.151, if offered by the district, must include at least 350 hours of instruction for the school year. A school board's annual calendar must include at least 165 days of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 11 unless a four-day week schedule has been approved by the commissioner under section 124D.126.
(b) A school board's annual school calendar may include plans for up to five days of instruction provided through online instruction due to inclement weather. The inclement weather plans must be developed according to section 120A.414.
120A.42 CONDUCT OF SCHOOL ON CERTAIN HOLIDAYS.
(a) The governing body of any district may contract with any of the teachers of the district for the conduct of schools, and may conduct schools, on either, or any, of the following holidays, provided that a clause to this effect is inserted in the teacher's contract: Martin Luther King's birthday, Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays, Indigenous Peoples Day, and Veterans' Day. On Martin Luther King's birthday, Washington's birthday, Lincoln's birthday, and Veterans' Day at least one hour of the school program must be devoted to a patriotic observance of the day. On Indigenous Peoples Day, at least one hour of the school program must be devoted to observance of the day.
(b) A district may conduct a school program to honor Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by providing opportunities for students to learn about the principles of American democracy, the American system of government, American citizens' rights and responsibilities, American history, and American geography, symbols, and holidays. Among other activities under this paragraph, districts may administer to students the test questions United States Citizenship and Immigration Services officers pose to applicants for naturalization.
In closure, thank you for providing calendar feedback and guidance and for all you do to support Hastings Public Schools. As always, please contact me with any questions or feedback regarding our schools.
Dr. Tamara Champa
Superintendent
(651) 480-7001
ISD 200 Staff Spotlight
Erika McDonald - PE Teacher at McAuliffe
The 2023-24 school year brought a new face to McAuliffe students. Ms. McDonald is the new Physical Education teacher at McAuliffe Elementary.
Being a PE teacher is unique in that you get a chance to work with every student in the building for multiple years in a row! Erika loves that she can make a difference in children’s lives. She really enjoys seeing them smile and have fun with their peers.
Teachers are incredible leaders. They all have special gifts that make their work impactful to students. As a new staff member of the district, Ms. McDonald thinks the district does a great job of dividing staff into teams to work together and build upon their success. She does wish that there were more opportunities to interact and be more inclusive of all the teachers on more than just the staff development days.
Erika grew up and graduated from Hastings Public Schools. She attended college in Michigan but returned to Hastings after obtaining her degree. She enjoyed being a coach and really looked forward to teaching in the district that gave her so much growing up.
Ms. McDonald says that her parents are her biggest inspiration. They always encouraged her to do her absolute best and taught her that failure is okay!
Erika practices what she teaches in that she loves all things hockey! She loves spending time outdoors: camping, four-wheeling, snowmobiling and hiking. She enjoys traveling, being around her friends, attending restaurants, and attending events.
We’re lucky to have a fun-filled, dedicated teacher at McAuliffe. It’s teachers like Erika who inspire our kids long after attending elementary school. Teachers give their heart and soul to our children, and our community is better for it. Thank you, Ms. McDonald!
Reminder - No School January 15 & February 5
- 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.