Raider Staff Spotlight - Heather Maier, FACS Teacher HMS
Family and Consumer Science (FACS) is an invaluable course offered to middle school students at Hastings Middle School. The curriculum covers a wide range of essential topics, including career planning, financial literacy, nutrition and wellness, life skills, and human development—equipping students with the practical knowledge they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives.
While the subject matter is rich and diverse, it’s clear that one of the driving forces behind the program is Ms. Heather Maier, a passionate educator who has been shaping young minds in ISD 200 for 18 years. Despite the extensive material to cover, Ms. Maier says one of her biggest wishes is to have more time to engage with families and celebrate the many wonderful things happening at Hastings Middle School. “I’m deeply committed to creating a safe, welcoming space for students to learn,” she explains. “Building connections through team-building activities is one of my favorite ways to get to know my students and have some fun along the way.”
A resident of Hastings and the proud parent of three children who attend Hastings Public Schools, Ms. Maier’s connection to the community runs deep. “I chose to work at ISD 200 because there are so many great people in the community who care and want to make a positive difference in our world. We have loved every single teacher our children have had and are so grateful for what our district does for our children’s academics, social and emotional development,”
Her own children have profoundly influenced her teaching philosophy. “Becoming a parent changed how I view my students,” she shares. “My kids remind me every day of the importance of patience, understanding, and what truly matters in life. They inspire me to be a better teacher and a better person.”
When she’s not at school, Ms. Maier stays active by training for ultramarathons, hiking, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Thanks to dedicated educators like Ms. Maier, Hastings students are gaining the life skills they need to thrive in the future. We’re fortunate to have such a passionate and caring individual helping to shape our children’s educational journeys.
Students have received their Direct Admissions letters... now what? Watch this video to be sure your child is taking full advantage of the Direct Admissions program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toA3WLEO_90. This video will provide information about students' next steps after receiving their letters. Also, please check your email for directions about selecting schools and moving forward.
Raider Staff Spotlight - Kristin Poellinger, Registrar - Counseling Office HHS
For the past seven years, the students and staff at HHS have had the privilege of having Kristin Poellinger at the helm of the Counseling Office. Kristin’s daily tasks are vast, but her role supports both students and staff.
Kristin is known for trying to brighten your day by sending funny memes in any of the multitude of emails she sends to the teachers. In addition to processing students’ grades, she manages all new student enrollments, withdrawals, records requests, and required legal documents and schedules intake meetings. Ms. Poellinger also assists in student registration, inputting course requests, creating master rosters, and running multiple different reports for staff. To say she is an asset to the teachers and staff is an understatement!
The other joy of her job comes from her interactions with students. “I am the face of the counseling office, and I appreciate being able to help guide students to the resources they need. I love being the extra support to our students, making them feel seen and cared for. I work with many students who struggle, and sometimes, they need an extra smile and someone to show that they care,” shares Kristin.
When Kristin isn’t helping our high school students navigate the resources available to them, she loves spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys camping, reading, crafting, volleyball, and being outside when the weather is nice!
Thank you, Kristin, for assisting our high school students and staff. Your job is multifaceted and positively impacts so many students and colleagues. You are appreciated!
Staff Spotlight: Susie McQuade
Pupil Support Assistance staff (PSAs) are paraprofessionals who help provide support and resources to students in our district so these children can thrive and succeed to their highest potential. PSAs assist by helping with teachers' educational reinforcements, collaborating with Special Education staff to implement strategies for student’s individual needs, and facilitating guidance in social/emotional needs and behavior supports. It is an understatement to say they wear many hats to help our kids succeed.
Susie McQuade has been wearing those hats for 17 years in ISD 200. She worked as a PSA for 14 years in middle school but had just started her third year at HHS. “I work with a wide variety of students. They are all important, and all deserve a quality education. I think it’s important for them to know that they have someone who cares about them at school,” shares Ms. McQuade
Ms. McQuade started working in ISD 200 when her children were in school. While she wishes school started later so she could sleep in longer, she loves her job! “I love my coworkers! People who work in public education are caring, supportive, and FUN! I also love the variety of my job, going to different classes, and making meaningful connections with students.
Susie says that her family inspires her. She enjoys having her summers off to spend time with family and friends and be outside as much as possible. She loves boating, concerts, flowers, and long walks in the sunshine.
Thank you, Susie, for your work with our students in ISD200. You make a difference every day!
Melissa Cole is a Speech-Language Pathologist at Christa McAuliffe Elementary. With five years under her belt, Melissa has made a significant impact on her students, and her dedication to their growth and development shines through in every interaction.
Melissa's favorite aspect of her job is witnessing the remarkable progress her students have made over the years. “I have students I have worked with from kindergarten all the way up through 4th grade,” Melissa shares. “It is remarkable to see the progress they make in their communication skills. As bittersweet as it is, I love when students are able to 'graduate' from Speech after meeting all of their goals. It is a huge accomplishment, and I love being able to celebrate with them!”
Melissa emphasizes that her work extends beyond simply addressing speech sounds or grammatical structures. “When students come to Speech, it is more than just practicing their 'R' sound or working on verb tenses - we are building and cultivating important relationships. These students are so cherished!” Her commitment to fostering these connections is a testament to her deep care for her students.
Melissa’s decision to join ISD200 was influenced by her positive impressions of the Hastings community and school district. “I grew up hearing great things about the Hastings community and school district. When we moved to the area, it seemed like a no-brainer to explore employment with ISD200.”
Melissa draws immense inspiration from her students. “They overcome hardships, learn new skills, and do so with a positive attitude. I'm inspired by their resilience and ability to find joy in so many things.” Their perseverance and enthusiasm fuel her passion for her role.
Outside of her professional life, Melissa enjoys a variety of activities that keep her engaged and fulfilled. She loves spending time with her family, reading, running, and attending concerts. Her well-rounded interests reflect her vibrant personality and zest for life.
Direct Admissions is here to offer our seniors a look at the many postsecondary possibilities that await them after high school! Through the new Direct Admissions program, seniors will be notified of multiple Minnesota colleges and universities that are
offering them proactive admission to attend their institution. As part of the program, seniors benefit from:
✔️ Stress-Free College Admissions Process
✔️ No Application Fees
✔️ Boosted Confidence Knowing They Are College Ready!
Learn more about this new program at www.ohe.state.mn.us/directadmissions
We are now a Direct Admissions Minnesota High School! Hastings High School is participating in Direct Admissions, a new state program that simplifies the college application process for our seniors.
This fall, students will be proactively notified of multiple Minnesota colleges and universities that are offering them admission before they even apply! Learn more at www.ohe.state.mn.us/directadmissions
This week, Connie Beissel, Chair of the Dakota County Labor Assembly, and Colleen Nocerini of the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation visited Hastings High School to deliver much-needed supplies. Thanks to the generosity of union groups affiliated with the Dakota County Labor Assembly, they collected monetary donations to purchase essential school supplies for the district.
Among the donations were 20 scientific calculators and 240 boxes of Kleenex, which will greatly benefit Hastings students. These expensive graphic calculators will be loaned to students in need and returned for future use with other students.
ISD200 extends its heartfelt gratitude to the union groups for their incredible support of Hastings Public Schools. Your generosity makes a real difference in our students' lives!
Our Back-to-School Raider Update is now available to view. https://hpsd.edurooms.com/engage/raider-update/newsletters/raider-update-back-to-school-24-25
This issue is a one-stop-shop of everything families need to know to get ready for the school year, including:
-Update from the Superintendent
-MS and HS open house dates and times
-District Calendar
-School supply lists
-Annual update notification
Annual update notification
-Minnesota Free School Meals Program
-Transportation information
Transportation information
-And so much more!!!
A group of 20 Spanish students just returned from a ten-day language-focused trip in Puerto Rico! Students had a busy itinerary that included staying in Puerto Rican homes and taking daily Spanish lessons for a portion of the trip. Some other highlights include learning to dance salsa and an Afro-Caribbean dance called la bomba. They met painter and sculptor Samuel Lind in his home studio, where he personally shared his work with them. They kayaked to a bioluminescent bay and witnessed the water sparkle and glow in the nighttime darkness. Our Hastings students were immersed in culture and history each day, and it would be impossible to capture all of them in one post!
Spanish teachers Cindy Davis, Julia Massmann, and Ashley Hoffman led the trip. They are so proud of the effort these students put in to make this trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Did you know that June is Dairy Month? Last week, Mrs. Beard’s 3rd-grade classroom at McAuliffe Elementary celebrated with a dairy day! Students learned about the history of June Dairy Month and dairy milk production. They also sampled different flavors of cheeses, made and tasted butter, and wrote thank-you notes to farmers. What a fun day of learning!!
Hastings Middle School 8th graders did an excellent job representing HMS on our first-ever Day of Caring! Students pulled weeds and picked up garbage downtown and along the Mississippi River. This day was made possible due to time or donations from the City of Hastings, Hastings Park and Rec, Hastings Family Service, Hastings Bus Company, Fleet Farm, Culvers, and HMS parent volunteers. Students were also inspired by Nicole Sindelar earlier in the day as she challenged students always to try to make a positive impact on others and their community!
Mrs. Munson’s 3rd Graders were wearing the tie-dye shirts they made together last week. They were proud to wear them together for the carnival and even won the 3rd-grade tug-of-war trophy! 🏆
All outdoor athletic competitions have been canceled due to the impending severe weather.
Eating lunch with second graders who have read 500+ books is always a great day! Way to go, Kennedy, Daniel, and Beckett!
