Hastings Happenings
Our Profile of an Engaged Learner states: We are SKILLED COMMUNICATORS when we clearly, thoughtfully and ethically give language to our ideas, listen with the intent to understand, and connect respectfully with others.
Few exemplify these qualities better than our grade-level trip coordinators! With 6th Grade Camp and the 7th Grade Pittsburgh Trip coming up, we wanted to take a moment to highlight and celebrate the incredible amount of work, planning, and communication that goes into making these experiences possible.
Planning for these trips begins almost as soon as the previous year’s trip ends. From coordinating student permissions and medications to organizing room assignments, transportation, and chaperones, our trip coordinators manage countless details while ensuring each experience is fun, meaningful, and memorable for our students.
Through every decision and every detail, they keep one important question at the center of their work: “What’s best for students?”
We could not be more grateful for Mrs. Flowers and Mrs. Kaliker, who coordinate 6th Grade Camp, and Mrs. Joseph and Mrs. Schroeder, who coordinate the 7th Grade Pittsburgh Trip. Thank you for your dedication, skilled communication, and commitment to creating these special experiences for our students!
Helpful Attendance Information
Whether your child misses school due to an illness without a medical excuse, surgery with a medical excuse, a travel sports event, or a family vacation, all absences count toward the same chronic absenteeism thresholds under Ohio's updated attendance law.
This means that families may receive an attendance notification based on the total number of hours a student has missed, regardless of whether those absences are excused or unexcused. Please note that this is different from habitual truancy, which is based only on unexcused absences.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Megan Lippert.
Student Clubs
We truly believe that Hastings is a place for everyone! One way we help students develop a strong sense of belonging is by offering a variety of student clubs and groups where they can connect with others who share their interests.
If your child would like to start their own club, we encourage them to reach out to their school counselor for more information.
The link below is a working document that includes the student groups and clubs currently being offered at Hastings. We hope your child finds something that sparks their interest and helps them feel connected to our school community!
Fidgets/Squishies/Toys
As a middle school, we want to support students in using the tools they need to self-regulate while also maintaining a focused learning environment. Please remember that toys are not permitted at school.
Squishies, stress balls, stuffed animals, and similar items should not be carried around during the school day unless a student has received permission from their school counselor or an administrator.
Thank you for your partnership and support!
Hastings Lost and Found
The Hastings lost and found is already full. From lunchboxes to water bottles, we have accumulated a huge collection of missing items. Please encourage your child to check the Lost and Found area in the commons this week for any lost items. Thank you for helping us reunite these belongings with their owners.
Phones
We have found an increase in calls not successfully going through due to the calls being screened. Our assumption is that it’s due to the new iPhone update. If an adult is calling from the building, we commit to leaving a voicemail. To help with calls successfully going through, please save our main phone number (614) 487-5100 into your phone. Our hope is that that will help!
Transportation Request
At the beginning of every new school year we request that no students ride home with other students. The reason we are asking is this time is for the route drivers to become acquainted with their assigned students while also creating seating charts that is a requirement through ODEW.
As of Monday, August 31, 2026 we are asking that no students are not permitted to ride on any other bus than their assigned bus, until after October 9, 2026. UNLESS it is a sitter/care provider circumstance and has been authorized through Transportation and communicated to the school.
6th Grade Camp
Gold House will attend Wednesday the 9th to Friday 11th.
Black House will attend Monday the 14th to Wednesday the 16th.
On the morning of departure, please have your child arrive at Hastings between 7:30 - 8:00 AM. Luggage should be taken to the far side of the parking lot, near the track where teachers and high school students will be located.
Students will proceed to the Auditorium and wait for the bell to ring. Then, they will go to their FLEX room instead of 1st period.
A copy of the packing list was sent home today. Click HERE to access it digitally.
Please remember to pack toiletries in a string sack. Also, be sure your child has a peanut-free sack lunch on their first day of camp.
Students need to be picked up at 1:00 PM on the day they return from camp.
If you have any questions, please email Dana Flowers at dflowers@uaschools.org or Joanna Kaliker at jkaliker@uaschools.org.
**If your child is not attending camp, they will receive their schedule next week.
Amplify
Upper Arlington Schools' student voice committee, Amplify, is seeking new 7th-grade representatives from Hastings Middle School. Amplify gives students a direct role in shaping district policy, fostering inclusion, and elevating the student experience.
To apply, enroll in the Amplify Application course in Canvas, navigate to Assignments for instructions, and submit a 90-second video application. All applications must be submitted by September 11th.
Want to learn more before applying? You can view this Amplify Presentation or reach out to current 8th-grade representatives to hear about their personal experiences.
Pittsburgh 2026
Trip Dates: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - Thursday, October 15, 2026
For payment:
Go to Nowak Tours Website
Click on Traveler Login
If you were unable to attend the parent meeting, please click the links below:
For scholarship needs, please contact our principal Matt Jordan, mrjordan@uaschools.org
September 11th Service Learning
House Gold and House Black core teachers are designing a service-learning experience in collaboration with the National Veterans Memorial Museum in honor of 9/11 Day of Service. Students will have opportunities to participate in service-learning projects in social studies, some language arts, science, and math classes.
On this 25th anniversary of September, we look forward to helping our students learn that unity can come from moments of pain and challenge and that everyone can make a difference in spreading kindness, empathy, and good deeds that help make our country a better place.
Washington DC Guardian/Parent Meeting #1
There will be two opportunities to attend the first meeting for this year’s Washington DC trip. Please do your best to attend, as we will be reviewing trip expectations and details of the trip!
Option #1
Date: Monday, September 14th
Location: Hastings Middle School
Time: 7:30pm
Option #2
Date: Tuesday, September 15th
Location: Jones Middle School
Time: 7:30pm
Washington DC 2026-2027 Trip: May 11, 2027 - May 14, 2027
