Dear HMS Families,

It’s been a wonderful week at Hastings Middle School filled with learning, collaboration, and community spirit. Students have been hard at work in their classrooms, diving into new projects and topics. On Wednesday, during advisory, all grades participated in a Raider Way lesson focused on our core value of Respect. Students reflected on what respect looks like in our school community and shared heartwarming examples of classmates showing kindness and responsibility. These conversations have helped everyone think about how we treat one another and build a more positive school culture.

Our band students shone brightly this week as well. On Tuesday evening, Hastings Middle School musicians joined with others from across the district for the All-District Band Concert at the high school. The performance was a huge success! Our sixth-grade band members played with enthusiasm and skill, impressing the audience and representing HMS with pride. A big thank-you goes out to our band directors and families for supporting our young musicians. It was wonderful to see our students’ talents on display and the joy they found in making music together.

In eighth-grade classrooms, students have been preparing for an exciting learning opportunity. After reading excerpts from author Anton Treuer’s works in Language Arts, our eighth graders are eagerly anticipating a special author visit next week. They spent time this week crafting insightful questions and discussing Treuer’s themes in class. This preparation will make the upcoming assembly with him even more meaningful. It’s fantastic to see our students so engaged in literature and ready to learn directly from a published author. Experiences like this help bring the curriculum to life and inspire our young readers and writers.

Thank you for all your support during this busy week. Our school community, students, staff, and families, continues to work together to create enriching experiences every day. Enjoy the long weekend ahead (remember, there is no school on Monday), and take some time to rest and celebrate the great work your children are doing.

Go Raiders!

Ryan Wynn
Principal
Hastings Middle School

For the safety of our school community, all Hastings Middle School doors remain locked during the school day. If you need to enter the building, please check in through the Welcome Center, which is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for students and staff.

🧢 Lost and Found Reminder:
Our Lost and Found is available after school and is located near the gym. We encourage students and families to take a look. Those hoodies and water bottles tend to pile up quickly!

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!

The Scholastic Book Fair is a fantastic opportunity to share the excitement of new books with your child. Independent reading fosters a love for learning and supports academic success, so don’t miss out!

School Dates:

Location: Hastings Middle School Library Media Center

Family Event Date:

Location: Near the Hastings Middle School Auditorium

Book Fair Homepage: Scholastic Book Fair – Hastings Middle School

Set up a Book Fair eWallet, a secure digital payment option that allows your child to shop cash-free at the Fair! Visit our homepage to learn more.

We can’t wait to see you there!

This year, students have the opportunity to participate in the Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award program. An engaging reading experience that puts students in the role of readers and voters! To be eligible to vote, students must read or listen to at least three nominated books. Titles are available through the library media center and the public library, making it easy for students to participate. Along the way, students will develop a love of reading, share their thoughts, and build critical thinking skills. Ask your child which book they’re cheering for.

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:

Our spring MCA assessments are right around the corner. Please review the schedule below and help your student come prepared with a charged Chromebook, wired headphones, and a good night’s rest.

Reading MCA

Math MCA

Science MCA

5th Grade

8th Grade

We appreciate your partnership in ensuring students are ready to do their best. More details will be shared with students during the school day as we get closer to testing dates.

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

February Raider Way Lessons: Respect

This week students in advisory learned and discussed respect at school. Students were asked the following questions:

Discussing these expectations helps build a sense of community and belonging for every student.

Home Extension: Use the questions above to talk about respect with your student.

The health office continues to see 90–100 students each day, and a common cold is circulating in the building this week.

Please continue to reinforce healthy habits at home and school, especially washing hands frequently to help reduce the spread of illness. A little prevention goes a long way!

Thank you for partnering with us to keep HMS healthy,
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