HMS Family Newsletter | Mar. 6th |
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Dear Hastings Middle School Families,
This week at Hastings Middle School brought energetic learning and fun community events. Our students returned from the long weekend eager to engage: in classrooms they continued working hard on lessons and projects, and many enjoyed the books our teachers recommended. We enjoyed our 7th and 8th Grade Choir Concert Tuesday evening. It was a joy to see our stage filled with smiling singers!
Leadership and school spirit shined bright as well. In advisory on Wednesday, students cast their votes for our next Raider Nation T-shirt design, taking pride in choosing the winner. Our Knowledge Bowl teams capped off their season with a lively staff-vs-student match on Thursday, celebrating teamwork and friendly competition. Meanwhile, clubs and groups were busy. Throughout the week, I saw Raiders stepping up to help each other and making responsible choices, truly living our Raider Way of being safe, respectful, and responsible.
Athletics and activities continued to ramp up. With spring sports starting soon, many students registered for our swim & dive program (registration closed today) and learned about opportunities like girls’ golf. Our older teams worked hard in practice this week and encouraged each other, keeping team spirit high even as we look forward to spring. The positivity extended to student achievement too, as we recognized those earning honors and celebrated progress in all areas.
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Thank you to every student and family for the enthusiasm and support you bring. It’s clear our school community is working together, from voting on T-shirt designs to cheering in the gym, to make Hastings Middle School a warm and spirited place. Next week, we’ll wrap up learning before a well-deserved Spring Break (March 16–20). Go Raiders! Ryan Wynn
Principal
Hastings Middle School
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🚗 Morning Drop-Off Parking Reminder |
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To help ensure a smooth and safe start to the school day, we kindly ask families to avoid parking in the school parking lots during morning drop-off. Our parking areas—especially on the Highway 55 side—have limited spaces and are needed for staff members as they arrive for the day.
When parents park in these spaces during drop-off, it can make it difficult for staff to find parking and can create additional congestion in the lots. If you are dropping off your student in the morning, please use the designated drop-off lanes rather than parking in staff spaces.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping keep traffic flowing and ensuring that staff and students can start the day smoothly. Thank you for supporting a safe and efficient arrival for everyone! |
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We are currently considering the curriculum for 8th Grade Social Studies and High School History of Sport (an elective Social Studies course) for adoption in the 2026-27 school year.
You can find information regarding the proposed curriculum for each course and provide feedback at this link. |
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🎨 Dakota County Student Art Contest – Now Open! |
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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! |
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Maud Hart Lovelace Award Participation |
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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.
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3/16-3/20 No School: Spring Break 3/27 5th Grade/6th Grade Dance |
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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 |
- Tuesday, April 14
- Wednesday, April 15
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- Tuesday, April 21
- Wednesday, April 22
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- Wednesday, April 29 (A Day)
- Hours 1–3
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- Friday, May 1 (A Day)
- Hours 1–3
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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. |
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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! |
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Main Office📞 651-480-7060 |
| 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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Volunteers needed: 5th/6th grade dance March 27th
We are in need of parent/family volunteers for our upcoming 5th and 6th grade dance on Friday, March 27th from 6:30-8 p.m. If you are interested, please call the HMS Wellness Center at 651-480-7084. Thank you for your support! |
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We want to share an important health update with our HMS community. Pertussis (whooping cough) and Influenza B have both been identified in the building. At this time, we have only had one reported case of pertussis, but we want families to be aware—especially if someone in your household is part of a high-risk group.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory illness that spreads through coughing and close contact. Symptoms may include persistent coughing, runny nose, mild fever, or coughing fits that can make it difficult to breathe. Influenza B symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, and fatigue.
If your student develops symptoms or has been exposed, please consult your healthcare provider. We have also attached the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) fact sheet for additional information.
As always, please continue to practice healthy habits such as washing hands frequently, covering coughs, and staying home when sick to help limit the spread of illness. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the HMS Health Office. Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy,
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: |
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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 Zeyen nzeyen@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. 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: |
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