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Raider Update
May 26, 2024
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Message from the Superintendent
Greetings Raider Families and Staff,
I hope today’s update finds you enjoying a safe and reflective Memorial Day weekend. On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice to allow for the freedoms we cherish today.
Today’s update includes the following:
Community Support for our Staff and Students
PFAS and Hastings Schools
Senior Students End of the Year Schedule
Calendar Amendment for Middle School Students
Calendar Reminders
Community Support for our staff and students:
Senior Scholarships - We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the incredible generosity of the Hastings area community, our senior students have been awarded nearly $230,000 in scholarships. This remarkable support will help pave the way for their future success. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this possible!
Doffing Grants - Each year, the Doffing Foundation generously supports innovative initiatives that fall outside the scope of our district’s regular budget. This spring, we are proud to announce that the Doffing Foundation has awarded $51,595 in grants to further these exciting projects. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their continued investment in our students and schools. In addition, the Doffing Foundation adopts classrooms of new teachers every year. This year, new members of our staff were provided $12,000 to assist them with building their classrooms.
PFAS and Hastings Schools
Recently, the City of Hastings issued a public notice regarding our drinking water in response to the new EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA and PFOS, set at 4 parts per trillion, announced on April 10. In light of this, the Hastings School District is proactively working to replace all water fountains and bottle filler stations with upgraded filters that effectively remove PFAS. Additionally, we are researching comprehensive systems to address building-wide solutions across the district. For more information, please refer to the PFAS FAQ Document LINK, which is also available on the City of Hastings website.
Calendar Amendment to the 23-24 School Calendar - Just a reminder, that due to extensive moving at the middle school, the last day of school for middle school students will be Wednesday, June 5. All other district schedules will remain the same.
Senior Students - The following highlights a number of key activities and dates, but please check out the high school web page for all the details.
May 28 - May 31 Senior privileges
May 31 - Last day for seniors with a number of special activities and a newly added Raider Walk.
June 7 @ 7PM - Graduation at Todd Field (weather permitting). The ceremony will be held at the high school if this year’s weather does not cooperate.
Calendar Updates and Reminders: Please review the district calendar and the event calendar to make sure you don’t miss any spring events.
In closure, thank you for your continued support of Hastings Public Schools. As always, please contact me with any questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tamara Champa
Superintendent
(651) 480-7001
ISD 200 Staff Spotlight
Mr. Paul Olson - Math Teacher at Hastings High School
Mr. Olson has taught mathematics in ISD 200 for over 14 years. He moved here after a college friend from Hastings recommended it. Not only is he now employed in our schools, but he has two of his own kids at McAuliffe Elementary!
Paul expresses that the most rewarding aspect of his job is guiding students through the learning journey and witnessing their progress. "Teaching goes beyond just delivering content. It's incredibly fulfilling to see former students return after 14 years and observe the personal growth they've achieved." If he could alter one thing about teaching, it would be eliminating grading. "Everyone would consistently strive to do their best, allowing progression to new topics when ready."
Olson draws inspiration from various individuals. "My parents, former teachers, coaches, students, and my kids inspire me daily," Paul reveals. During his leisure time, he savors golf, basketball, and spending time with his children.
Graduating Senior Meal Account Balances
If your graduating senior leaves a balance in her/his meal account, it will be transferred to the next sibling in your family beginning on Monday, June 3rd. If you use auto pay, please go into your account and turn off the auto pay feature by Thursday May 23, 2024. IF you do not want this transfer made, please contact Krystel Ebel via email (kebel@isd200.org) by Friday May 31st, 2024.
Meal accounts of seniors will be closed after Monday June 3 rd , 2024 and will no longer be seen in My Payments Plus. These meal accounts are closed on this date in order to stop auto payments as the balances are transferred to siblings. Balances can still be seen by the Food Service office until June 29th , 2024.
If the graduating senior does not have a sibling to transfer the balance to, please request a refund or request it be donated to the District Angel Fund. The District Angel Fund seeks to provide short-term assistance to families in need by covering negative meal account balances and ensuring no child goes hungry.
- Balances may be transferred to the District Angel Fund. You may send an email to kebel@isd200.org to request this transfer. A reply will be sent after the transfer is made acknowledging the donation.
- A balance refund that is over $5.00 needs a written request sent to kebel@isd200.org
- Important: Please include your student’s name, student ID number, refund amount, and mailing address in all correspondence.
- Please call Krystel at 651-480-7050 to verify the balance left in the account.
- Refunds will be made through June 14th , 2024.
Thank you and good luck to the Class of 2024!
Hastings High School Graduation 2024
HHS 2024 Graduation
Visit the Hastings High School homepage for more information.
Friday, Jun 7, 2024, 07:00 PM
McNamara Stadium/Todd Field, 10th Street West, Hastings, MN, USA
Events Leading Up To Graduation
- 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.