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Message from the Superintendent:

Superintendent Champa

Raider Families and Staff,

It’s hard to believe that conferences and fall break are just around the corner! Now that we’re fully settled into the school year and hitting our stride, we want to hear from you. Continuous improvement is always our goal, as we strive to meet the needs of our students, families, and staff.

In this week's Raider Update, you’ll find important reminders about our upcoming satisfaction survey, which will be sent to your inboxes on Thursday, as well as a final opportunity to provide feedback on our safe routes to school initiative. As usual, I’ve  also included links for the district calendar and Raider events.

Ensuring Safe Routes to School

Thanks to a planning grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, we are developing a comprehensive Safe Routes plan for all six of our school sites. This plan will provide recommendations to make walking and biking to school easier, safer, and more enjoyable for students and their families.  

On Thursday of this week, a team will be observing our morning arrival and afternoon departure at our buildings.  As we study all aspects of transportation, we’re seeking to make improvements wherever possible.  At our upcoming conferences, representatives will be in our buildings providing our staff and families with an opportunity to engage and share additional in-person information. 

With only a few days remaining, please take a few minutes (5) to complete the survey by October 15. Your input on current travel practices will provide key information as we design our improvement plan. SURVEY LINK  Please also take a minute to visit our interactive map, where you can share your feedback on existing walking and biking routes, as well as note any barriers or opportunities for improvement. Your insights will directly contribute to making our schools more accessible and safe for everyone. INTERACTIVE MAP

Thank you for your continued help and support!

School Perception Satisfaction Surveys 

I understand you may be tired of hearing reminders about the survey, but please know that these reminders are only because we truly value your input. Your feedback is incredibly important to us, and we’re hoping for strong participation numbers as we work to ensure everyone's voice is heard.

Parent and staff surveys will be distributed on Thursday, October 10, and they will close on October 21. Student surveys will be given the week of October 14. The message that will be coming directly to you on Thursday, October 10 from School Perceptions is included directly below today's update. If you don’t see the email invitation to participate, please check your spam/junk folder.

*Student Survey

Our students (grades 4-12) will be invited to participate in the survey on Monday, October 14. 

The purpose of the survey is to ensure that our practices are positively meeting the needs of our students. Any trend data will be used in our upcoming planning and programming to ensure continuous improvement.

This survey is designed ONLY to reflect on the engagement and opportunities for our students. However, if you would like to preview the survey, it is available in the district office, in the office of every school, and has been posted with the surveys on our website. If you would prefer that your student not participate, please return the opt-out form, which is available on the website and is also provided here for your convenience. Please note that any opt-out forms need to be returned by the end of the school day on Thursday, October 10.

Calendar Reminders

  • October 11 - No School - Teacher Workshop

  • Week of October 14 - Conferences

  • Oct. 16 - No Scool - Conferences

  • October 17-18 - No School - MEA

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

survey
Jonah Conway

Staff Spotlight: Jonah Conway

Music Teacher, McAuliffe

William James once said, “I don’t sing because I’m happy. I’m happy because I sing.” At McAuliffe Elementary, this sentiment rings true, thanks to Jonah Conway, who has been nurturing the musical talents of students for the past five years. “I love connecting with students, staff, and community members through music education,” he shares.

During his college years, Jonah had the privilege of mentoring under the remarkable Lisa Poncelet at Pinecrest. “Working with Lisa opened my eyes to the unmatched commitment to students and music in ISD 200. I knew I wanted to end up in Hastings one day, and I was fortunate to be hired at McAuliffe right after graduation,” Jonah recalls.

ISD 200 boasts an exceptional music program, thanks to dedicated staff who share their passion for music with students and the community. Jonah emphasizes the importance of fostering a love for music from a young age: “My goal is to provide my students with a positive experience in music during elementary school. I hope they continue making music after they leave, cherishing their time in my classroom.”

Inspiration surrounds Mr. Conway every day, particularly from his wife and son. He expresses deep gratitude for his music colleagues and the incredible staff at McAuliffe but notes, “As a teacher, my students are always my biggest inspiration!”

Outside the classroom, Jonah enjoys watching and playing sports, spending time with his dog, and, of course, creating music. His passion for music education not only enriches the lives of his students but also fosters a vibrant musical community at McAuliffe Elementary.

Reminder - No School
conference dates
test drive fundraider
fall fest

City of Hastings Outdoor Winter Clothing Swap

Outdoor Winter Clothing Swap
October 15
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
City Hall Community Room (101 Fourth St E)

Bring your gently used and clean outdoor winter clothing you no longer want and bring home items that are new to you! No item donation is necessary to shop the swap; take or bring as much as you want! Please ensure that any items you bring are in fair condition, clean, and usable. Broken, ripped, or stained items not accepted. Event staff reserve the right to refuse any items.

city of Hastings
ISD 200 app
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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!

- October 28th - time and location to be announced

• 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

Check Out the Online School Store for All Your Raider Gear Needs!

School Store

Hastings Public Schools

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 the Raider Update, 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