Raider Families and Staff,

I hope today’s update finds you enjoying this beautiful Minnesota weekend.  As always, there’s a lot happening throughout our district and in each of our schools. In this edition of the Raider Update, you’ll find key information on the updated district vision card, upcoming strategic planning initiatives, details on the School Perceptions Survey, Adopt-A-Classroom and important calendar reminders to keep you connected to all Raider events.

District Vision Card 

At last week’s school board meeting, the district’s vision card was updated and reviewed, which is also included here for your review. More important than the numbers is the work behind the scenes to support our students.  After adopting a new literacy curriculum at the end of the 2023-24 school year, our teachers have been working diligently to implement it with fidelity, ensuring the highest standards of learning. In November’s school board meeting, we’ll take a deeper dive into the strategies, curricula, and action plans driving our commitment to continuous improvement. What was once known as the World’s Best Workforce plan is now called the Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness plan, reflecting our broadened focus on student success and civic engagement.

Strategic Planning Community Input Session

The Hastings School Board is working with the Minnesota School Board Association to update our current strategic plan and YOU’RE invited.  Please mark your calendar and join us at 6pm on November 18th in the high school lecture hall.

Adopt-A-Classroom

Thanks to a generous contribution from the Doffing Foundation, twelve of our dedicated elementary and middle school teachers each received $1,000 to support their classroom supply needs. The district provides all necessary supplies and materials; however, teachers typically have a lot of personal expenses, which is even greater for those newer to the profession.  

School Perception Satisfaction Surveys 

Thank you to those of you who participated in this year’s annual satisfaction survey.  Our participation reached 3118 which includes 655 parents or guardians.  While feedback from our staff and families is slightly less than last year, we’re anxious to dive into the results.  Results are analyzed district-wide and also by each individual building.  The results will be communicated at the November 20th regular school board meeting, which is also live-streamed.  Following the November board meeting, a district-wide engagement tour will communicate the results, district priorities and action plans.  If you would like a presentation with a group you are affiliated with, please let us know. 

Calendar Reminders

• No School on Friday, November 1 (Staff 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

Every student in our district deserves the best opportunities to thrive and grow! Many children have these opportunities come to life through our incredible Special Education program in ISD 200. Thanks to a dedicated team of exceptional staff members, our special education department provides programs and resources to support community members from birth to age 21.

One standout among them is Ms. Bree Paananen, a talented paraprofessional who joined the LEAP classroom at Pinecrest Elementary last year. Bree's favorite part of her job is watching students achieve their goals. “I love being in the classroom, witnessing the children's growth and their milestones. Supporting others has always brought me fulfillment,” she shares.

Living in Hastings, Bree is excited for her daughter to attend ISD 200 schools one day. She feels fortunate to work in the LEAP program, given her years of experience working directly with her older sister, Kaylee, who has Down syndrome. “I’m continually impressed by the positive experiences my family members have had in Hastings' Special Education classes over the years,” she says.

We are grateful for Bree’s commitment to creating a positive and inclusive environment for our students. When she’s not supporting her amazing kids, Bree enjoys spending time with her family and expressing her creativity through arts and crafts.

Thank you, Ms. Paananen, for your dedication to helping our students grow!

Hastings Public Schools is seeking certified lifeguards to provide services during the school day for the swim unit of our physical education classes at Hastings Middle School. The hours for this position will vary on a day-to-day basis, depending on the class schedule, and will occur between November 11, 2024 and February 4, 2025. We are willing to split the times/dates if you are not able to provide services on all of the dates/times. Please apply at https://www.applitrack.com/HastingsISD/onlineapp/. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tonia Wood via phone at 651.480.7021, or by email at twood@isd200.org.