JUNE
5 Last Day Of School (full day)

SEPTEMBER
2/3 Raider, Set, Go Days
4 First Day of School

Dear Kennedy Families,

As we wrap up the school year, I want to take a moment to recognize the effort our students and staff have put in—especially as we navigated the first year of a new reading curriculum. It wasn’t always easy, but we’ve made great progress and learned a lot along the way.

We've also had so much to celebrate together in recent weeks—from grade-level picnics and our schoolwide carnival to Field Day, Tree Planting Day, and the much-loved walking field trip to Dairy Queen. These moments are a reflection of our strong school community and the relationships that make Kennedy such a special place.

Looking ahead, I’ll be working with staff this summer to create an updated and refreshed behavior plan. Our focus will be on establishing more aligned and consistent schoolwide expectations and  consequences to ensure all students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn each day. We will share more information with families at the start of next school year.

Wishing you a safe, fun, and restful summer break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall!

Sincerely,
Kyle Latch
Principal

School Hours
8:30 am: Buses begin to drop students off, classrooms are open, and breakfast is served. *Students may not enter the building before this time*
8:50 am: School begins
3:25 pm: Dismissal for all students

2025-2026 District School Calendar is available on the district webpage.

In August, each family will receive an email as well as communication via Infinite Campus Parent Portal containing important information regarding the beginning of the school year.

In June, suggested classroom supply lists for the fall will be available on our school website and in local stores.

Daycare Transportation Form - this must be filled out annually if your student will be picked up and/or dropped off at a daycare within our Kennedy boundaries. Please submit to main office by June 6th.

In May, Tree Trust came to school! Parent volunteers worked with our students to plant trees on the Kennedy grounds. This was such a cool experience!

Illness and Keeping Your Child Home

A student should not come to school (and may be sent home from school) if they have or have had:

• a fever of 100 degrees F or more in the past 24 hours

• vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours

• an undiagnosed skin rash

  Reporting Absences

If your student will not be at school, please call and report the reason for their absence at 651-480-7220. If your student is ill, please report their symptoms and/or any diagnosed communicable condition like chicken pox, strep throat, cough and fever, influenza, or pink eye. It is recommended that you follow the MDH and CDC exclusion guidelines for communicable diseases.

Immunizations

In order to attend school, students must show that they're in compliance with Minnesota School Immunization Requirements (see the Minnesota Department of Health Link below for more Information). Hastings School's immunization policy states that students who are not up to date on their immunizations will not be allowed to start school until they provide the school with documentation that they have received the required immunizations.
Parents/guardians may check their student's immunization status by logging on to the parent portal in Infinite Campus. To see the immunization records, click on the HEALTH tab. If your student's immunization status says "current for grade" in ALL immunizations required by law, then the student is up to date and ready for the start of school. If your student is not current, they will need to get the required immunizations to attend the first day of school. Yearly physicals with their healthcare provider are strongly encouraged for students to have optimal health.

Parents/guardians may choose to decline immunizations for their students by filing a legal exemption with the school. Student Immunization Form

If you have further questions, please reach out to Kim Meier, our building nurse. kmeier@isd200.org or 651-480-7224

The district has adopted a wellness policy. We are still celebrating student birthdays: however, we are not doing so with birthday treats. Healthy or non-food items are encouraged.

Early Pick Up & Dismissal Changes

In order to minimize interruptions to the classroom, students should not be picked up early unless it is an emergency. On those occasions when it is necessary to pick your child up during the school day, please go to the school office, with your ID, to sign your child out. If someone other than the parent/guardian is picking up, the office must be notified in advance and their ID also is required. The office personnel will contact your child’s teacher to dismiss them and meet you in the office.

When there is a change to your child’s normal dismissal plan, please contact the Main Office at 651-480-7220 by 2:30 pm if possible.

Teachers will not release students unless the office gives prior approval. This practice has been established to help protect your child.

Your child's safety is of prime importance to us. There are a few procedure guidelines that help us maintain a secured building and limit the number of distractions to our classrooms. Our building is designed to have a single entry point during the school day. Please keep the following in mind:

• Always check in at the office whenever you are at school.

• We have a secure entrance, please ring the doorbell and state your reason for visiting.

• When delivering things for your child (ex. snow gear), please drop them off at the office. We will deliver articles or call your child down to the office.

Bring Your ID

Please bring your driver's license with you when you are checking out your student, volunteering, or visiting for lunch.

Attendance

Throughout the year, there may be times that your child may be sick, need to go to medical appointments, etc. If your child is absent or will be late, please call the attendance line by 8:50 am at 651-480-7220.

Being on time to school is very important. If you are late to school, please check your student in at the main office.

Parents of students with special needs are invited to join Hastings' Special Education Staff in discussing how to support one another and providing input on district programming. Please mark your calendars for the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) 2024-2025 meeting dates!

• February 24th - time and location to be announced

• April 2025 - All Dakota County SEAC - Date, time, and location TBD

For more information about SEAC or if you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Jill Petersen at 651-480-7008 or jpetersen@isd200.org

Community Education Recreational Opportunities

TO REGISTER: Call 651-480-7670 or register online at www.HastingsCommunityEd.com

Hastings Public Schools

The Hastings School District consists of approximately 4,300 students. Please click on the links below to email the building principal or site leader. We've also included the phone numbers to the main offices of each of our district's sites:

• Tilden Community Center 651-480-7670

• Kennedy Elementary (K-4) 651-480-7221

• McAuliffe Elementary (K-4) 651-480-7390

• Pinecrest Elementary (K-4) 651-480-7280

• Hastings Middle School(5-8) 651-480-7060

• Hastings High School (9-12) 651-480-7470

• Hastings Alternative Learning Center 651-480-7690

*If you need any assistance in translating this newsletter, contact us at kgorr@isd200.org.

Website: www.hastings.k12.mn.us
Location: 1000 11th Street West, Hastings, MN, USA
Phone: 651-480-7000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hastingspublicschools