Dear Kennedy Families,

As summer winds down, we’re looking forward to reconnecting with our Kennedy community. The start of a new school year is always special, and we’re so excited to welcome both our returning families and those joining us for the first time. We’re grateful to have you with us as we begin the 2025–2026 school year together.

At Kennedy, we believe that strong relationships and a sense of belonging are the foundation for a thriving school. This summer, our team has been hard at work strengthening our schoolwide practices that support a positive, connected, and respectful school culture. In every aspect of school life: from the way we build relationships to how we support learning, our goal is to ensure each child feels seen, valued, and supported each day.

In addition to this culture-building work, we are thrilled to share some exciting updates to our academic programming. This year, we are launching a new elementary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program. Students will have dedicated time to explore hands-on projects that encourage curiosity, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.

We’re also rolling out a new elementary science curriculum that brings fresh, engaging learning experiences aligned with state standards. These lessons are designed to spark student wonder and help learners think like scientists—asking questions, investigating the world around them, and building deep understanding.

At the same time, our focus on literacy remains strong. Across all grade levels, our teachers continue to implement consistent, high-quality reading and writing practices that support every child in developing strong literacy skills. Helping students become confident readers, writers, and thinkers is at the heart of our work.

As we begin this new year together, we want to thank you for the trust you place in us. Strong partnerships with families are essential to student success, and we are committed to keeping the lines of communication open, listening to your ideas, and working together every step of the way.

We can’t wait to see you at Raider Set Go days and to launch another fun, connected, and learning-filled year with our Kennedy Cougars. As we partner together, students will remain at the heart of all we do! If you have any questions, please reach out.

Sincerely,
Kyle Latch
Principal
Kennedy Elementary School

Attendance Line: 651-480-7220
Main Office: 651-480-7221
Nurse: 651-480-7224
Kids' Campus: 651-480-7257
Hastings Bus Company: 651-437-1888
Website: http://kennedy.hastings.k12.mn.us
Address: 1175 Tyler Street, Hastings, MN 55033

Aug 15 - Teacher Assignment & Busing Information released on Parent Portal
Sept 1 - Labor Day
Sept 2 & 3 - Raider Set Go Days (info below)
Sept 4 - First Day of School for K-4 students
Sept 17 - Elementary School Picture Day
Sept 22 - NO SCHOOL - Staff Development

District Calendar

We are excited to start this year alongside students and families with our annual Raider, Set, Go connections. Family engagement is a key focus in our district. We want students and families to be seen, feel valued and supported while having a strong sense of belonging in our school community. Our Raider Set Go time gives us the opportunity to build solid relationships with each student and family where individual needs can be shared and better understood.

Raider, Set, Go time is designed to build strong family-school partnership, fostering meaningful conversations between educators, students, and their families at the beginning of the year.

It includes open-ended questions that cover:

• Student interests and preferences inside and outside of school

• Strengths and challenges the student may face

• Emotional and academic needs

• Family interests

• Opportunities for collaboration, including volunteering and teacher support

As part of our strong home-school connection, we’ll be sharing a letter with all families that introduces our Kennedy Cougar CARE Expectations — the foundation of our safe, respectful, and supportive school culture. You will receive a printed copy of the letter to review and acknowledge during the Raider Set Go Days. We encourage you to read it together as a family and join us in reinforcing these values at home!

When are Raider, Set, Go Conferences?

• Tuesday, September 2nd from 10:30 am - 6:00 pm

  OR

• Wednesday, September 3rd from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm

*Kindergarten families see additional "Welcome to Kindergarten Sessions" below

How do we sign up for a Raider, Set, Go Conference?

• Similar to parent-teacher conferences, families will use PTCFast to sign up for a 25 minute conference. Use this link to sign up!

What should we bring?

• Students are often excited about school supplies and are welcomed to bring them to their classroom at this time.

• Computers will be available for parents to update portal information and complete the annual updates, if needed.

To help our kindergarten students and families successfully transition into the school year, our Raider, Set, Go days will look a little different than our other grade levels. Families will sign up for a 75 minute session here. You'll be grouped with up to four other families. During this time, students will have an opportunity to meet a few of their classmates, work with their teacher, hear a story and have playtime.

Parents/guardians will learn what the kindergarten day looks like, have a clear understanding about arrival, dismissal, and lunch procedures, hear about our school environment and communication practices, as well as have the opportunity to ask questions.

If the 4 scheduled times do not work for your family, please connect with our office staff (651-480-7221).

Our 75 minutes will be broken down as follows:

• 15 minutes: Meet teacher, scavenger hunt in classroom

• 30 minutes: 4-5 families meet with teacher to learn about the elementary school experience

  while students enjoy a story and play time in one of our other kindergarten classrooms.

• 15 minutes: Parents put away school supplies and fill out paperwork, teacher works with 4-5 kids in small groups.

• 15 minutes: Parents can stay and ask individual questions.

The first day of school for all elementary students is Thursday, September 4th.

SCHOOL DAY
School begins at 8:50 AM and students should arrive at school from 8:30 AM to 8:50 AM to be ready for the start of the learning day. All students in grades K-4 will need to enter the building through the main doors (Door 1). Students are dismissed at 3:25 PM.

HOMEROOM TEACHER ASSIGNMENT
Assignments will be available on Friday, August 15th by the end of the day by logging in to Infinite Campus Parent Portal (go to Documents, then select homeroom assignment). Call 651-480-7220 or email Beth Shofner at bshofner@isd200.org if you need to set up a portal account.

BUS INFORMATION
Transportation routing information, including courtesy bus stop information, will be available on the Campus Portal on August 15th by clicking “More” and then “Bus Information.” Please remember to recheck routing information closer to the start of the school year, as minor adjustments may be made. If your pickup or drop-off location is inaccurate, please contact your child’s Building Office.

Just a reminder that the district had an opt-out of transportation for students in grades K-8 and an opt-in for transportation for students in grades 9-12. This information has been updated in the Campus Portal.

The walking distance for elementary students is a .75-mile radius from the school and a 1.75-mile radius for secondary students. Detailed maps of the walking areas are available on the district’s website.

2025-2026 School Picture Information & Dates

Picture Date: Wednesday, September 17th

Retake Date: Wednesday, October 22nd

All galleries will be emailed to parents 2-5 business days after picture day. If you order a Package or a BYOP bundle within seven days of galleries going online, you'll receive a FREE Social Media Image, so don't forget to order!

Cahill Studios will send you important picture day information from the following email address: no-reply@imagequix.com, so keep a lookout!

View your 100+ FREE background options online to coordinate your students' outfits best! www.cahillphotostudio.com

Don't like your photo?
Wait to purchase photos, and your student can have their picture taken on Retake Day. 
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Cahill Studios. 
Email: service@cahillphotostudio.com
Office Number: 715-268-9363

Hastings Public Schools is pleased to provide families with an easy way to sign annual forms and review and update household contact information for the 2025-26 school year through their Campus Parent Portal Account. Beginning mid-August, families will be asked to review and update their household contact information and review and agree to school handbooks, student device agreements, and other annual forms. Once you complete the Annual Update process, be sure to go to the district ePay system if you wish to purchase the protection plan. Although the Online Update process will provide some information on the plan, you must go to the ePay system to complete the purchase. (Link: https://hastings.epaytrak.com/). Be sure to watch your email and our website for more information on how to complete our electronic Annual Updates process.

One parent or guardian from the primary household will be required to provide information for your children. Parents/Guardians from a secondary household will be able to update their own contact information.

After logging into your Parent Portal Account, click More and Back-To-School Annual Updates to begin.

• TO PURCHASE THE OPTIONAL STUDENT DEVICE PROTECTION PLAN CLICK HERE

• BACK TO SCHOOL ANNUAL UPDATES: STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

• Infinite Campus and Technology Information

• Student and Parent Technology Support Resource Information