Raider Families and Staff,

With school closed this coming Monday and Tuesday, I wanted to take this opportunity to address feedback from the recent satisfaction survey regarding the school calendar, days off, and related topics. To provide clarity and context, I’ve included a review of how the district calendar is developed, which I hope you find both informative and beneficial.

Additionally, you’ll find the survey for the 2026-2027 school calendar, an invitation to participate in our upcoming collaboration event, and the usual reminders about upcoming calendar dates and events.

Key Considerations for Developing the School Calendar

As we begin planning a new school calendar, several critical factors are considered to ensure it meets state requirements, supports staff and students, and aligns with community needs. Below is a breakdown of these elements:

1. State Statute Requirements - Length of School Year/Hours of Instruction
   Minnesota state law dictates specific requirements for school calendars that all districts must follow. For reference, MN Statute 120A.41 outlines these mandates, including the minimum number of instructional days and hours. You can review the statute here.

2. State Statute Requirements - School Calendar

   MN Statute 120A.40 outlines the MN start date is after Labor Day unless special circumstances exist OR the district has an approved plan, which is why this is included in the annual survey. The complete statute is available here.

3. Staff and Family Preferences
   Each year, we conduct a survey to gather input from staff and families regarding key calendar parameters, such as start and end dates, winter break, and spring break. For the 2025-2026 school year, 346 staff members and parents participated, providing valuable feedback. A summary of the survey results can be reviewed here.  Please see below to provide your preferences for the 2026-2027 calendar.

4. Teacher Work Days
   The calendar includes five contractual work days for teachers, scheduled before the first student day and throughout the school year. These days are essential for planning, grading, and other preparatory tasks. While five days are built into the schedule, we acknowledge and deeply appreciate the additional time teachers dedicate beyond these days to ensure student success.

5. Staff Development Days
   The district allocates seven staff development days, distributed before and during the school year. These days are essential for addressing curricular updates, district priorities, and state requirements. They are packed with critical training and collaborative opportunities to enhance teaching practices and support district goals.

6. Holidays and Statutory Considerations
   Holidays are carefully reviewed and incorporated into the calendar. Some holidays are non-instructional by statute, while others have specific requirements if school is in session. You can review the relevant statutory guidelines here.

Once all these factors are reviewed and balanced, the district calendar is developed. Despite the thoughtful effort to create a calendar that meets diverse needs, it is challenging to meet the preferences of all stakeholders. Our goal is to create a schedule that prioritizes educational excellence while considering the needs of our staff, students, and families.

2026-2027 School Calendar Planning Feedback - LINK

As a district, we will be planning the 26-27 calendar in the very near future.  Please take a moment to provide input as we consider the various parameters.

Community Collaboration Event - February 19th at 6pm: Mark your calendars. The next community collaboration event is scheduled for February 19th at 6pm in the high school lecture hall.  In addition to a number of informational topics, time will be dedicated to gaining additional feedback regarding the development of the district’s strategic plan. We hope to see you there!

Calendar Reminders

• Upcoming calendar reminders:

  • No School January 20

  • No School January 21 Teacher Workshop

  • No School January 27 Professional Development

• 24-25 School Calendar in its entirety

Raider Events

• Raider Athletic Calendar

• Raider Events Calendar  

As always, thank you for your ongoing support of Hastings Public Schools. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tamara Champa
Superintendent, Hastings Public Schools

Meet Ms. Jenny Cooper, the talented new Art Instructor at Kennedy Elementary! After teaching in another district, Jenny sought a full-time position in a school community where the arts are truly appreciated and celebrated. She's thrilled to have found her new home in Hastings, where she feels welcomed and at ease.

While Ms. Cooper wishes for a few more hands-on days filled with messy, creative projects, her favorite part of teaching art is watching students who may struggle in other subjects truly shine in the art room. "Creation is an innate part of being human," she explains. "By providing students with a rich, hands-on art experience, we can nurture their creativity, which is key to both their academic success and personal happiness."

Ms. Cooper is excited to be part of her students' artistic journeys. She hopes the skills and perspectives they gain in her classroom will inspire them long after they leave elementary school. "I want them to carry a creative spirit with them as they move forward in their school and professional careers," she says.

When asked about her personal inspirations, Ms. Cooper reflects, "The helpers of the world inspire me—the people who step up in times of crisis, those who put others' needs before their own, and the everyday heroes who work tirelessly to care for others. These are the people who inspire me the most."

Outside the classroom, Ms. Cooper enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, Evie and Bree. Together, they love mountain biking, cooking delicious meals, and traveling whenever possible. A lifelong soccer enthusiast, Ms. Cooper has played on a women's soccer team for 16 years!

We're so grateful to have Ms. Cooper with us at Kennedy Elementary, inspiring our students and fostering a love of art. Thank you, Ms. Cooper, and welcome home!

Congratulations to Hastings School Board Directors Jessica Dressely and Mark Zuzek, who have been recognized with the Minnesota School Board Association's (MSBA) Director's Award! This prestigious honor is given to board members who achieve 100 or more points for attendance at MSBA training programs over the course of their term(s). We are proud of Jessica and Mark for their commitment to professional development and dedication to serving our community.