About Us:

Attendance Line: 651-480-7281

Main Office: 651-480-7280

Nurse: 651-480-7286

Kids' Campus: 651-480-7296

Hastings Bus Company: 651-437-1888

Website: http://pinecrest.hastings.k12.mn.us

Location: 975 12th Street West, Hastings, MN 55033

Dates to Remember:

District Calendar

Aug 16 - Teacher Assignment & Busing Information released on Parent Portal

Sept 2 - Labor Day

Sept 3 & 4 - Raider Set Go (info below)

Sept 5 - First Day of School for K-4 students

Sept 9 - Pinecrest PTA Meeting, 7:15 pm in the Pinecrest Media Center

Sept 12 - Pinecrest Playground Picnic, 5:30 pm

Sept 18 - Elementary School Picture Day

Sept 28 - Oct 6 - Pinecrest Read-a-thon - more info to come!

Sept 30 - NO SCHOOL - Staff Development

WELCOME BACK!

Dear Pinecrest Elementary School Parent/Guardian:

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! We are excited to start this year alongside students and families with our annual Raider, Set, Go connections. Family engagement is a key piece to our success working with students. Over the past several years, we have found many students need more support as they transition to the new school year. In response to this need, we have created the opportunity for students and teachers to have time to connect and learn more about each other. This will also provide time for families to meet with their child’s teacher before the start of the school year.

RAIDER, SET, GO - SEPTEMBER 3 & 4

What should we expect at our Raider, Set, Go conference?

• Students and teachers will begin with a short “get to know you” activity, allowing students to share their interests and learning preferences.

• Students will then complete a reading activity with their teacher, followed by time for families to connect with the teacher.

When are Raider, Set, Go Conferences?

• Tuesday, September 3rd from 10:30 am - 6:00 pm

• OR

• Wednesday, September 4th 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 this link to PTCfast to sign up for their 25 minute conference.

• SIGN UP LINK HERE

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, if needed.

Kindergarten Families - Welcome to Kindergarten Sessions

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 and will 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 (651-480-7280). 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 5th.

SCHOOL DAY

School begins at 8:00 AM and students should arrive at school from 7:40 AM to 7:55 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 2:35 PM.

HOMEROOM TEACHER ASSIGNMENT

Assignments will be available at 6:00 PM on Friday, August 16th by logging in to Infinite Campus Parent Portal (go to Documents, then select homeroom assignment). Call 651-480-7280 or email Cheryl Niebur at cniebur@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 16th 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 the main 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 up to 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.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANNUAL UPDATES

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 2024-25 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

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

Did you know "Educational Benefits" are more than Free and Reduced Lunches? By qualifying for benefits, families can access WIC Benefits, the Metro Transit Assistance Program, reduced internet programs (FCC Affordable Connectivity Program), and scholarships or discounts on camps, athletic programs and child care.

All families are encouraged to apply as these benefits also help Hastings schools qualify for education funding, discounts and other meal programs that benefit all students.

Link to apply: https://frapps.horizonsolana.com/HASS01

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

The Pinecrest School Supply List is available on our website.

Hastings Family Service is accepting donations of school supplies for distribution. Donations of school supplies, new socks, underwear and backpacks may be brought to HFS.

If you are in need of school supplies, please make an appointment by calling 651-437-7134. Distribution dates are August 20, 21, 22, 23.

As we partner together, students will remain at the heart of all we do! If you have any questions, please reach out.

Paul Bakker, Principal

Pinecrest Elementary

pbakker@isd200.org

651-480-7280

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