HMS Family Newsletter | Oct. 24th

HMS Newsletter Template 25-26

Principal Corner

Dear HMS Parents, Guardians, and Students,

It was a meaningful week at Hastings Middle School as we returned from the fall break and conference days. Students stepped back into their routines with enthusiasm and focus. Our staff also took time for professional growth. I met with several teachers for one-on-one goal-setting sessions to support their instructional goals. It was inspiring to hear their plans for enriching student learning, and I’m proud of their dedication to continuous improvement.

Fall conferences wrapped up last week, and I want to thank all the families who attended in person or virtually. Our teachers truly value this partnership with you.

Back in the classrooms, students have been hard at work. We saw engaging lessons across all grades, from science labs to reading discussions, as everyone dug into the fall curriculum. Teachers continued handing out Raider Recognition tickets to celebrate positive behavior and effort, adding to the upbeat atmosphere in our hallways. Academically, we are hitting our stride; it’s rewarding to see students applying their learning and supporting each other.

Ryan Wynn

As we reflect on the week, I am filled with gratitude for our students’ energy, our staff’s dedication, and our families’ involvement. Hastings Middle School is truly a community that cares. Thank you for all you do to support our school. Together, we made great progress this week, from academic strides in the classroom to acts of teamwork and support all around our campus.

Go Raiders! Enjoy your weekend, and as always, let’s take pride in our HMS community.

Ryan Wynn
Principal
Hastings Middle School

📝 Conference Feedback

We value your feedback! Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about your recent parent-teacher conference experience. Your input helps us strengthen communication, enhance the conference process, and support every student’s success.

Your feedback helps us:

  • Understand what worked well during conferences

  • Identify ways to improve communication and scheduling

  • Learn how to better support families and students moving forward

👉 Complete the HMS Conference Feedback Form

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts — we truly appreciate your partnership!

Dates to Remember

October/November Events

11/6-11/7: Fall Musical: Annie Jr.

11/11: 7th & 8th Grade Band Concert

11/14: 7th & 8th Grade Beach Dance

11/20: 5th & 6th Grade Band Concert

11/27 No School: Fall Break

11/28 No School: Fall Break

Depression Awareness & Suicide Prevention Program for 6th Grade Students

The middle school years are often an emotional rollercoaster for students and families. To proactively address student well-being, Hastings Middle School will partner with University of Wisconsin–River Falls School Psychology graduate students to deliver the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program on November 4, 2025, for all 6th graders.

This program helps students:

  • Understand that depression is a treatable illness

  • Recognize the warning signs of depression and suicide

  • Learn how to seek help for themselves or a friend by talking to a trusted adult

Students will view short educational videos, engage in discussion with HMS counselors and mental health staff, and complete a short screening questionnaire. The screening is not a diagnosis but helps identify whether further evaluation may be beneficial.

If you do not wish your child to participate, please complete the Opt-Out Form and return it to the Counseling Office by Monday, November 3, 2025.

For more information, visit the Parent SOS Information page or preview the Student Questionnaire.
Questions may be directed to Counselor Jade Achman at (651) 480-7081.

Coffee
SEAC

🎁 Project Share Holiday Assistance Program

While we’re just settling into fall and enjoying the cooler temperatures, it may seem early to think about the holidays, but Hastings Family Service is already preparing!

Project Share is an annual holiday gift and meal assistance program for families who live within ISD 200 and have children. Registration opens October 22, when families will meet one-on-one with a volunteer to:

  • Share their children’s holiday wish lists

  • Indicate whether they’d like gifts wrapped

  • Request a holiday meal

  • Select small gifts or stocking stuffers for each household member

Project Share

If your family could benefit from this support, or you know someone who might, please visit Hastings Family Service to learn more and register.

Schoology Parent Notifications

Parent Notifications-Helping you stay connected

As a parent you have the option to turn on notifications regarding your students assignments, grades, and overdue work.  You also have an option to get information via an email digest. This video will show you how to set this up for your student(s). This is only available to parent accounts, so this is not something that can be accessed through student accounts.

If you would like step by step directions on how to setup email digests for your parent account, you can go to the following link from Schoology, Email Digest Directions

If you do not have a parent login for Schoology and are ready to set it up, please contact Natalie Shofner in the middle school counseling office at nshofner@isd200.org. After you have your account setup you can watch this helpful video to see a brief overview of the benefits of Schoology parent.

Student Support Team

Main Office

📞 651-480-7060

Ryan Wynn – Building Principal

Pam Johnson – 7th & 8th Grade AP

Scott Addyman – 5th & 6th Grade AP

Wellness Center

📞 651-480-7084

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

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)

🕒 Schools Hours

7:55 AM – 2:35 PM

AVID Updates

Check In

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. A team of dedicated staff at HMS supports students in AVID with an elective class for eighth grade students and with schoolwide strategies to support students grow in their agency and college and career readiness. Most students receive lessons on Mondays in advisory to support them in things such as organization and goal setting.

Families, did you know that the end of Quarter 1 is next Friday, October 31st? This means that teachers will submit final grades for the first quarter of the school year. To support your students as we approach the end of Quarter 1, consider asking them to do the following:

  • Check your grades

  • Retake tests

  • If possible, turn in missing work

  • Reflect on your progress and set goals for quarter two!

🏴‍☠️ Raider Way Updates

The Raider Way is a team of dedicated staff who work to ensure that everyone at HMS is being safe, respectful, and responsible by using the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework.

Students can start collecting spare change to bring in for the HMS Penny Wars, which will run from November 10th-14th. Students can bring in change to help their grade level collect the most coins and win grade-level trivia at lunch! The proceeds from Penny Wars will support a local charity, which will be voted on by students.

On Friday, November 14th we will be hosting a 7th and 8th grade student Beach Dance from 6:30-8 p.m. in the HMS Cafeteria. We are looking for parent/guardian volunteers to help with this event. If you are interested, please email hmsraiderway@isd200.org or call the HMS Wellness Center at 651-480-7084. Thank you for your support!

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🏥 Keeping HMS Healthy

🩺 Health Office Updates

We want to keep our HMS community safe and healthy! Here are this week’s updates from the health office:

  • 🤢 Gastrointestinal Illnesses – We’ve seen an increase in stomach-related illness this week. These viruses can spread quickly and live on surfaces, so please encourage your student to wash their hands frequently, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Regular cleaning of commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs, phones, and water bottles can also help keep everyone healthy.

  • ✋ Hand Hygiene & Healthy Habits – Remind your child to:

    • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

    • Avoid touching their face, eyes, or mouth.

    • Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.

    • Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water to stay well!

  • Undiagnosed Rashes 🌸 – Per school board policy, all undiagnosed skin rashes require a doctor’s note before a student can return to school. We’ll continue to keep this reminder in the newsletter for another week.

  • 😴 Rest Matters! – To help combat illness, please remind your student to get plenty of rest and maintain good sleep routines as we head into the colder months. A well-rested body is better equipped to stay healthy!

📎 Helpful Resources:

  • Contagious Disease Information – Hastings Public Schools

  • Minnesota Department of Health

🤒 Illness and Keeping Your Child Home

A student should not come to school (and may be sent home) if they have or have had:

  • A fever of 100°F or more in the past 24 hours

  • Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours

  • An undiagnosed skin rash

📞 Reporting Absences

Absences may be reported by calling the main office of your child’s school. Please share symptoms and/or any diagnosed communicable conditions such as:

  • Chicken pox

  • Strep throat

  • Cough and fever

  • Influenza

  • Pink eye

If your child has an injury or illness that requires changes to their school day, please contact the health office before they return.

Wishing everyone a healthy and restful long weekend,
Nurse Erin and Nurse Katie 🌸

HMS Website
HMS Family Resource Page

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 will be donated on the following dates:

  • November 26

  • December 23

  • February 25

  • March 13

  • May 1

Parent Lunch

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

Parent Portal and Schoology Access

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

Reach out to Natalie Shofner nshofner@isd200.org 651-480-7084

Parent Partnership

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.

PTA Membership
Our PTA 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