HMS Family Newsletter | Oct. 31st |
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Dear HMS Parents, Guardians, and Students,
This week marked the end of our first quarter, and it is hard to believe we are already a quarter of the way through the school year. Our students and staff returned from conferences energized and focused, and we continued to see strong engagement across classrooms. Teachers wrapped up first-quarter projects and assessments, and many students took time to reflect on their accomplishments and set new goals for Quarter 2. In advisory, students reorganized their binders and materials to start the new quarter fresh and took part in a safety lesson reviewing our Standard Response Protocol and what it means to be safe at school. Our staff also encouraged students to keep building strong learning habits, including mastering new IXL skills each week. Our school-wide average is currently about one skill per week, and we are challenging ourselves to double that number to strengthen core learning.
We were also proud to see our student performers continuing to shine. Rehearsals for Annie Jr. are in full swing ahead of the November 6 and 7 shows, and our band students have been preparing for their first concerts. The 7th and 8th Grade Band Concert will be held on November 11, followed by the 5th and 6th Grade Band Concert on November 20. These are wonderful opportunities for our students to share their talents and we look forward to cheering them on. Our older students are also looking forward to the upcoming “Beach Dance” on November 14, a fun evening that promises great energy and connection for our 7th and 8th graders.
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This week we also celebrated several HMS teachers who were recognized during the Adopt-a-Classroom Recipient Awards. Thanks to the generosity of our community, these classrooms received additional funds to enrich student learning. We are grateful for these partnerships and for all the ways our families and community show up to support our school. In that spirit of giving, our students began organizing for Penny Wars, a school-wide fundraiser to support a local charity. Each grade level will collect coins the week of November 10, with the goal of giving back and working together to make a difference. Advisory groups voted this week on the charity they want to support, and we are excited to see their leadership and compassion in action. |
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Thank you for all you do to support our students and staff. This first quarter has been filled with growth, effort, and a strong sense of community. I am proud of our students and grateful for the encouragement they receive at home and at school. Let’s carry this momentum forward as we step into November.
Go Raiders! Enjoy your weekend, and as always, let’s take pride in our HMS community.
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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
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Depression Awareness & Suicide Prevention Program for 6th Grade Students |
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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 11th and 12th, 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.
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📸 Yearbook Orders — Don’t Miss Out! |
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🎁 Project Share Holiday Assistance Program |
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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 opened 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
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If your family could benefit from this support, or you know someone who might, please visit Hastings Family Service to learn more and register. |
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Our first round of Level Up Awards was presented to students and staff last week at Hastings Middle School!
Students received a Level Up Award for demonstrating growth and modeling the Raider Way, while staff members were recognized for going above and beyond in their work and inspiring HMS students to grow and succeed.
We’re so proud of the hard work, dedication, and positive spirit shown by our HMS community. Keep striving to Level Up every day!
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Main Office📞 651-480-7060 |
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Wellness Center📞 651-480-7084 |
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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)
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On the first day of Quarter 2 (Monday, November 3rd) students will spend time in their classes cleaning out their binders, and we encourage you to do this in all classes. Here are a few helpful things to know to support your students as they begin Quarter 2. |
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- Students will get a new Quarter 2 planner, this planner is 3-hole punched and should be organized in student’s binders
- Students will be prompted to go through the sections of their binder and organize their quarter 1 materials and any loose paper in the three rings of their binder
- ‘Keep or toss’ papers from quarter 1, with the help of their teachers
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Use these directions to support your student in organizing their binders at the start of Quarter 2: |
- Make sure your papers are in the right section.
- If you have a bunch of loose papers in your locker or backpack--let’s get them in the binder
- Could you keep some of your extra supplies in your locker instead of your binder?
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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. |
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Next week students will learn about bike and pedestrian safety in their advisory classes. The following week in advisory students will learn about voice levels. If you have suggestions for mini-lessons that you think students could benefit from, please email hmsraiderway@isd200.org
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 the Hastings Animal Ark, which was 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 nshofner@isd200.org or call the HMS Wellness Center at 651-480-7084.
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Additionally, for student and staff safety we use the Raptor system for all building visitors to check in at the Welcome Center. |
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- If you have visited any ISD 200 building this year, and received a visitor ID by scanning your id, you are in our system and will have a visitor ID printed/waiting for you the night of the dance.
- If you have not visited a building yet this year, please come to Hastings Middle School and check in at the Welcome Center at least two days before the dance to scan your ID into our security system so that we can print you a visitor ID for the night of the dance.
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Thank you for your support! |
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🩺 Health Office Updates
We want to keep our HMS community safe and healthy! Here are this week’s updates from the health office:
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🤢 Gastrointestinal Illnesses – We’ve seen an increase in stomach-related illness recently. 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.
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😷 Respiratory Season Has Begun – We’re starting to see more cases of sore throats, coughs, and fevers as respiratory season begins. A fever is considered a temperature above 100°F. If your child has a fever, they must stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
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✋ 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!
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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.
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😴 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!
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🤒 Illness and Keeping Your Child Home
A student should not come to school (and may be sent home) if they have or have had:
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- A fever of 100°F or more in the past 24 hours
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Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
- An undiagnosed skin rash
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📞 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:
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- Chicken pox
- Strep throat
- Cough and fever
- Influenza
- Pink eye
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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 🌸
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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