Dear HMS Families,

This week was filled with growth and Raider pride at Hastings Middle School. On Monday, our staff participated in a professional development day, collaborating on new strategies to support our learners. By Tuesday morning, students were back in the building and the school was buzzing with learning despite the winter chill. It was great to see everyone jump right back into routines after the extended break.

In classrooms, students worked hard and showed curiosity each day. I saw classes diving into new lessons and projects with enthusiasm. This week also marked the close of our Raider Way T-shirt Design Challenge, and we received many imaginative student entries for our new spirit shirt. Students will vote on a favorite design next week, and we can’t wait to celebrate the creativity of our winner.

Our Raiders continue to shine outside of class as well. On Thursday evening, our drama club took the stage for the winter play “How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery.” The performance was fantastic and showcased our students’ talents in acting, humor, and teamwork. Their final show is tonight, and we are so proud of the cast and crew’s hard work. Meanwhile, several HMS athletes achieved something extraordinary last weekend. Four of our middle schoolers on the Hastings girls’ wrestling team helped the squad take first place at a state tournament. Congratulations to those athletes on an amazing accomplishment!

We also saw wonderful examples of leadership and community spirit this week. Our seventh graders were recognized for the courage and respect they demonstrated during last week’s Courage Retreat. They truly represented HMS at its best. Even with frigid weather outside, the energy and kindness inside our school remain strong. Thank you for your continued support and for encouraging your children to make the most of their middle school days. I am proud to be your principal.

Go Raiders!

Ryan Wynn
Principal
Hastings Middle School

Hastings Middle School has been invited by Dakota County and the Public Arts Advisory Committee to help promote the 2026 Dakota County Student Art Contest. This annual event celebrates young artists across the county, and we encourage our HMS students to showcase their creativity!

Key Details:

Families and students can view the official flyer here:

This is a great opportunity for our artists to shine! Thank you for encouraging your student to participate!

1/30 How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery

2/5 PTO Meeting

2/16 No School: Presidents Day

2/19 Orchestra Concert All Grades 

2/24 Choir Concert Grades 5/6

2/26 Evening Conferences

2/27 No School: Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences are approaching! Here’s the important information:

We’re currently hiring Paraprofessionals (PSAs) across the Hastings School District! These positions play an important role in supporting our students and staff every day.

If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference in our schools, we encourage you to apply today!

👉 Apply Now!

Ryan Wynn – Building Principal

Pam Johnson – 7th & 8th Grade AP

Scott Addyman – 5th & 6th Grade AP

Brooke Johnson – 5th Grade Counselor

Jade Achman – 6th Grade Counselor

Ellen Rademacher – 7th Grade Counselor

Megan Latch – 8th Grade Counselor

Cyndi Sheehan – School Social Worker

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)

7:55 AM – 2:35 PM

Sno Week Dress Up Days and Schoolwide Assembly

February 2nd-6th is Sno Week, and we are celebrating with some dress up days at Hastings Middle School. Please remember that school rules apply during these days and that no hats are allowed.

Additionally, students will have a schoolwide assembly on Friday, February 6th in the afternoon. The theme of this assembly will be: 

Winter Olympics “Faster, Higher, Stronger- Together.”

Students will create a flag in their advisory that represents their class and will have representatives from each advisory compete in school wide games. The purpose of this assembly will be to encourage student motivation to set and work towards goals and persevere when obstacles arise.

We’ve noticed that many families have changed phone numbers but haven’t yet updated their information in Infinite Campus. Keeping contact information current is critical so we can reach you quickly in the event of an emergency or time-sensitive situation.

Please take a moment to verify that your phone numbers are up to date using one of the options below:

There are several easy ways to make sure your information is current, and we truly appreciate your help in keeping our communication accurate and efficient.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important safety matter,
Nurse Erin and Nurse Katie 🌸

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 will be donated on the following dates:

• February 25

• March 13

• May 1

Parent/guardians are welcome to eat lunch with their student. Please alert Rachel Boatman in the Welcome Center 24 hours in advance either by phone (651-480-7062) or email (rboatman@isd200.org). When notifying Rachel Boatman, 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

If you need assistance logging into the Parent Portal and Schoology:

Reach out to Natalie Zeyen nzeyen@isd200.org 651-480-7084

Parent partnership is a vital part of making Hastings Middle School a success! Whether it’s through volunteering your time or contributing resources, your support makes a big difference for our students and staff.

PTO Membership
Our PTO is looking for parents/guardians to join and help continue supporting our school community. If you are interested, please contact Devyn Dimmick-Partington at devyn.dimmick@gmail.com.

Ways to Get Involved:

• Volunteer Sign-Up (Raider Cove): Click here to volunteer

• Raider Cove Amazon Wish List: View the wishlist here