As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we want to remind families about our process for picking students up early and dropping off items. While these procedures are not entirely new, we are emphasizing them to reduce congestion in the office and keep our welcome area calm and secure.
Item Drop-Offs
If you are dropping off an item for your child, please leave it on the table in the vestibule. Paper and pen will be available for labeling the item. We will ensure the item is delivered to your child.
Early Pick-Ups
If your child needs to leave early for an appointment or is being dismissed from the nurse’s office, please follow the process below:
If you are scheduling an appointment, please contact the front office ahead of time to let us know. If the nurse has already contacted you to pick up your child, you do not need to call again.
After you call (or are contacted by the nurse), we will send a pass to your child right away so they know when to leave class and come to the office. They will then be ready and waiting for you at the time of pick-up.
When you arrive, your child should come right out to meet you. If they do not come out within 5–10 minutes, please call the office at 651-480-7060 to let us know.
If circumstances require, you may enter the first set of doors, ring the doorbell, show your ID to the camera, and we will call your child down to the office. Showing ID in this case ensures that anyone entering the building is either a parent or an approved emergency contact.
If someone other than a parent is picking up (for example, a grandparent, aunt, or another emergency contact), we will always verify their ID to confirm they are listed as an approved contact before releasing your child.
Important Clarification
These procedures apply only to students leaving early during the school day. They do not change our regular morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up routines. Families should continue to follow those procedures as usual, including the established drop-off location on the 55 side of the building.
The most important point to remember is that we want to minimize the need for parents or adults to enter the building unless it is absolutely necessary.
We had an amazing start to the school year! From smiles in the hallways to engaging classrooms, the energy has been contagious. Take a look at some snapshots from our first week below.
👉 To see the full album of first-week highlights, visit our Google Photos Album.
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students this year. However, A La Carte items are not free. These optional items (e.g., extra entrée, snack, beverage) vary in price, and students must have funds in their meal accounts to purchase them.
➡️ Important: A La Carte is a privilege for each grade level and may be revoked as a consequence if a lunchroom collectively is not meeting expectations.
Add Funds: Go to www.mypaymentsplus.com to create an account or add money to your student’s meal account.
Need help with MyPaymentsPlus?
Thank you for helping us ensure students can quickly check out in the cafeteria!
Cell phones must be put away during the school day from 7:55 a.m. until 2:35 p.m.
1️⃣ First Offense: Device is confiscated and turned into the office. Student may pick up the device at the end of the day.
2️⃣ Second Offense: Device is confiscated and turned into the office. A parent/guardian/caretaker must pick up the device at the end of the day.
🔁 Beyond the Second Offense: Continued issues with cell phone use will result in a behavior plan 📋 developed with the parent/guardian, principal or assistant principal, and student.
To help ensure a safe and efficient dismissal, our afternoon buses line up in designated areas around the Middle School.
Pinecrest Side: Routes 1–3, 6–13, 16, 21, and 22 stage along Pinecrest.
Highway 55 / North Lot: Routes 4, 14–20, and 23 stage in the north parking lot by Highway 55.
Please remind your student to know their bus route number and where it will be parked at the end of the day.
👉 Click here to view the full staging map
9/22 No School - Staff Development Day
10/10 No School: Teacher Workshop
10/14 Evening Conferences
10/15 No School: Conferences
10/16 No School: Teacher Association Day
10/17 No School: Teacher Association Day
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.
We’re excited to share our new HMS Family Resource Page, a live collection of links and documents to support families throughout the year. This includes:
Parent guides for Schoology and Infinite Campus
Calendar and event reminders
Family tech support
Communication tools
Back-to-school documents, and more!
Parent partnership is an important part of making Hastings Middle School a success! Whether it’s through volunteering your time or contributing resources, your support can make a big difference.
PTA Membership: Our PTA is looking for parents/guardians to continue supporting our students and staff! Contact Devyn Dimmick-Partington with interest at: devyn.dimmick@gmail.com
