Back to School 2025

HMS Newsletter Template 25-26

Principal Corner

Ryan Wynn

Dear HMS Parents, Guardians, and Students,

I hope this message finds you well and that you are enjoying a restful summer. As we gear up for the start of an exciting new school year, I want to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. The halls of HMS have been far too quiet, and we are thrilled to soon fill them with the energy, laughter, and learning that our students bring. To our returning families, welcome back! To those who are new to our community, we are so happy to have you join the HMS family.

Over the summer, our dedicated custodial staff has been hard at work preparing classrooms and making sure the school is ready for your children.

As we embark on the 2025–2026 journey together, please remember that we are partners in your child’s education. Families play a crucial role in our students’ success, and we encourage you to stay involved and in touch. Whether it’s through attending school events, keeping up with our communications, or simply having conversations with your child about their day, your engagement makes a difference. If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas, our doors are always open. Never hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our staff.

I am truly excited about the year ahead and all the great experiences it will bring. Together, let’s make this school year one of growth, connection, and achievement for our students. Thank you for being a part of our Hastings Middle School community and for trusting us with your child’s learning and growth. We are honored to serve your family and can’t wait to see our students back in the building, ready to learn and succeed.

Let’s make 2025–2026 a fantastic year filled with growth, new friendships, and memorable moments! I look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces on campus and to an amazing year ahead.

Go Raiders!


Ryan Wynn
Principal
Hastings Middle School

About Us

Main Office 651-480-7060

Wellness Center 651 480-7084

Nurse's Office 651-480-7072

Attendance Line 651-480-7061 (late or absent), 651-480-7062 (passes to leave school)

HMS WEBSITE

Dates to Remember

August Events

18 Self-Guided Tours 12-3 pm

18 Student schedules will be available on the Parent Portal

20 Self-Guided Tours 9 am-12 pm

26 Open House 5-7 pm

September Events

2 First Day of School (5th Grade Only)

3 First Day of School (6th-8th Grade)

4 7th and 8th Grade Picture Day

5 5th and 6th Grade Picture Day

22 No School - Staff Development Day

HMS Open House – Tuesday, August 26 | 5:00–7:00 PM

We’re excited to invite you and your student(s) to our Hastings Middle School Open House on Tuesday, August 26 from 5:00–7:00 PM. This is a true open house format. Arrive anytime that works for you!

What to Expect:

  • Maps and Bingo Boards at the Welcome Table

  • Visit classrooms and meet teachers

  • Practice locker combinations

  • Explore key locations (nurse’s office, cafeteria, gym)

Special Highlights:

  • 5th Grade Info Sessions: Optional sessions at 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM in the auditorium for incoming 5th grade families

  • Activities & Resource Fair (Cafeteria):

    • Meet staff and community partners

    • Learn about activities and athletics

    • Get help with Schoology, Infinite Campus, and tech tools

Open House Bingo!
Complete fun activities like:

  • Walk your child’s schedule

  • Log into Parent Portal

  • Visit the nurse & lunch program table

  • Meet a new staff member

  • Win prizes for completed boards!

Questions? Call the HMS office at (651) 480-7060. We can’t wait to see you!

Self-Guided Tours

lockers

Dates & Times:

  • Monday, August 18 | Noon – 3:00 PM

  • Wednesday, August 20 | 9:00 AM – Noon

Parents and students are welcome to walk through student schedules and set up lockers to prepare for the new school year. Please note: this is a self-guided tour, as staff will not be available during this time.

Athletics Registration

Details about Hastings Middle School — including location, available sports programs, and the school start date — can be found on our athletics website.

https://ms.hastings.k12.mn.us/o/hms/page/registration-information

School Supplies

School Supply Support

Hastings Family Service is getting ready to distribute school supplies to students who live in or attend school in Hastings!

Here are some important dates to keep in mind:

  • School Supply Distribution: August 19–22

  • Registration for Appointments Begins: August 4

School Supply
HMS Family Resource Page

We’re excited to share our new HMS Family Resource Page, a live collection of links and documents to support families throughout the year. This includes:

  • Parent guides for Schoology and Infinite Campus

  • Calendar and event reminders

  • Family tech support

  • Communication tools

  • Back-to-school documents, and more!

Additional Notes

Lost and Found

Lost and found items are primarily located near the gym. These include clothing, water bottles, hats, and similar items, which students can collect during the school day. After school, students and families can access these items by entering through the gymnasium doors.

Smaller valuables, such as headphones and jewelry, are kept at the Welcome Center. These can be retrieved during school hours or after school until 3:30 pm.

Please remind your child to regularly check the lost and found for any missing items throughout the school year. Unclaimed items are donated on a regular basis, and donation dates will be shared in advance.

Parent Lunch

Parent/guardians are welcome to eat lunch with their student. Please alert Rachel Gust in the Welcome Center 24 hours in advance either by phone (651-480-7062) or email (rgust@isd200.org). When notifying Rachel Gust, please state the day you are planning on coming in to eat lunch and your child's name/grade level. To enter the building, you will need to show your driver's license as part of our check in system.

Grade Level Lunch Times are Below:
Grade 5: 11:19-11:44
Grade 6: 12:16-12:41
Grade 7: 10:50-11:15
Grade 8: 11:47-12:12

Parent Portal and Schoology Access

If you need assistance logging into the Parent Portal and Schoology, reach out to Kaitlin Starr.
kstarr@isd200.org
beginning on Monday, August 11th.
651-480-7084

Parent Partnership

Parent partnership is an important part of making Hastings Middle School a success! Whether it’s through volunteering your time or contributing resources, your support can make a big difference.

PTA Membership: Our PTA is looking for parents/guardians to continue supporting our students and staff! Contact Devyn Dimmick-Partington with interest at: devyn.dimmick@gmail.com