Raider Families and Staff,

We’ve certainly experienced quite a range of winter weather this month! From unseasonably warm December days to extreme cold and freezing rain, it seems the only thing missing so far is snow. Despite the unpredictable weather, I hope many of you had a chance to enjoy one of the outstanding holiday concerts this past weekend or earlier in the week—what a wonderful way to celebrate the season.

In this week’s update, you’ll find:

• A recap of last week’s small fire and evacuation at the high school,

• A reminder about this week’s Truth in Taxation meeting,

• Details about the upcoming 2025 community engagement tour, and

• The usual calendar updates to keep you informed.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and active participation in our school community!

Small Fire and Evacuation at the High School

Last Monday at approximately 11:30 a.m., a small fire occurred when an item was inadvertently left on a cooktop. A vigilant staff member quickly discovered the situation and attempted to extinguish the fire. Simultaneously, our fire alarms and suppression systems, including sprinklers, were activated as designed, ensuring a rapid response to the incident. This triggered a full evacuation of the building.

Thanks to the regular emergency drills, students and staff were able to exit the building safely and efficiently in under four minutes. However, we recognize that the unexpected nature of the situation added an additional layer of concern for many. The fire threat was neutralized almost immediately, but there were procedural and safety requirements that needed to be met before reoccupying the building.

To accommodate students during this time, the Hastings Bus Company provided buses to allow students a place to wait in a warm environment. Given the limited access to the building and the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for restoring the fire suppression system, the decision was made to dismiss classes for the remainder of the day. By approximately 5 p.m., all systems had been fully restored.

We view every event as an opportunity to strengthen our practices. Following this incident, we conducted a thorough debriefing involving key staff and emergency personnel. This week, we are implementing additional training and communication measures at our high school with our staff to further enhance preparedness and response protocols.

We want to reassure our community that student safety remains our top priority. Each emergency event has a unique set of complexities.  In the event that the temperatures would have posed a significant risk to our students, we would have immediately relocated our students to an alternative site.  

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We also extend our gratitude to our staff for their professionalism, calm leadership, and commitment to student safety during the event. A special thank you goes to our local law enforcement, fire department, and the Hastings Bus Company for their response and invaluable assistance in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff. 

Truth in Taxation:

The “Truth in Taxation” process, established by the legislature in 1988, aims to increase public involvement in Minnesota’s property tax system. On December 18th, the Hastings School District will hold its public hearing at 6:00 PM in the Middle School library.

Community Engagement Tour: 

As we look ahead to 2025, the district's priorities, key initiatives, and strategic planning highlights will be shared across the community. If your organization, club, or group would be interested in hosting an on-site session, we encourage you to contact the district office to schedule a presentation.

Calendar Reminders

• Upcoming calendar reminders:

  • December 23-January 1 Winter Break

  • No School January 20

  • No School January 21 Teacher Workshop

  • No School January 27 Professional Development

• 24-25 School Calendar in its entirety

Raider Events

• Raider Athletic Calendar

• Raider Events Calendar  

As always, thank you for your ongoing support of Hastings Public Schools. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tamara Champa
Superintendent, Hastings Public Schools

The students in the LEAP classroom are fortunate to have such dedicated support from Bridget Dean-Kautto, who is making an incredible impact in her first year at ISD 200. The LEAP program, designed for elementary-age students with special needs, provides a range of resources that help kids thrive in a positive, nurturing environment.

“I’m enjoying getting to know my students and working together to find solutions that fit their unique needs,” shares Ms. Dean-Kautto. The solutions she creates are as individual as the students she serves, tailored to help them reach their full potential.

If Bridget could make one wish, it would be for additional support staff to help further enrich the classroom experience. "A person with a disability is not 'without' ability," she says. “Each of my students brings joy, strength, and depth to my life, their learning environment, and the entire Hastings community."

Originally from outside the area, Bridget and her family recently moved closer to the Twin Cities, where her husband works as a firefighter in St. Paul. We are fortunate to have Bridget here in Hastings, where her dedication to our students shines daily. Her commitment is fueled by her students, colleagues, family, and friends—each of whom inspires her to give her best.

Hastings is lucky to have such a strong support system for students in ISD 200, thanks to staff like Ms. Dean-Kautto. Bridget enjoys rowing, hiking, reading, and writing—activities that keep her energized and inspired when she's not making a difference in the classroom.

Kailey Schumacher Honored with the 2024-2025 Inclusive Educator Award

In a heartwarming display of recognition, Kailey Schumacher has been selected for the prestigious Intermediate School District 917 (ISD 917) Inclusive Educator Award for the 2024-2025 school year. This award, designed to honor educators who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to inclusive teaching practices, highlights Kailey’s exceptional work in supporting students with unique learning needs.

The nomination came from Kailey’s colleague, Megan Haroldson, who praised her for her dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students at her school. Megan’s nomination underscores the profound impact Kailey’s efforts have had on her students and the broader school community.

Celebrating Inclusion in Schools

Each year, as part of Inclusive Schools Week—celebrated during the first full week of December—educators across the district are nominated for their contributions to fostering inclusive practices that ensure quality education for every student. This year, Inclusive Schools Week took place from December 2–6, and it is with great pride that ISD 917 has selected Kailey Schumacher as one of the standout honorees.

“Kailey’s commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of their abilities, has access to meaningful educational experiences is truly commendable,” said a district spokesperson. “Her work exemplifies the values we hold dear in our schools—diversity, inclusion, and respect for all learners.”

Congratulations, Kailey, on this well-deserved honor. Your hard work, passion, and unwavering support for your students are truly making a difference!

Please note that there have been a few cases of Pertussis reported in the Hastings Public Schools. Pertussis, commonly known as "whooping cough", is on the rise. As of December 5, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Health reports that there have been 2,324 documented cases of Pertussis in Minnesota this year.  

Most people who get Pertussis have symptoms like a bad cold which turns into a cough which can last a long time. Pertussis in infants is often severe, and infants are more likely than older children or adults to develop complications. Here is a link to more information about Pertussis. 

There is a vaccine for pertussis - it's the "P" in DTaP and Tdap. Parents/guardians are encouraged to vaccinate their student on time to prevent the spread of this disease. Other ways to prevent the spread are to:

• Avoid close contact with others who are coughing or othewise ill.

• Wash hands often

• Stay at home if ill

• Cover your cough

• Seek medical attention if you develop pertussis-like symptoms or have been exposed to someone with pertussis.