Hastings Happenings
Ms. Prato's creative spirit and empathy make students and fellow staff members love working with her. Just tell her about a teaching or learning idea you have but are having trouble conceptualizing or implementing, and you will immediately see a twinkle in Ms. Prato's eye. She loves to collaborate with others to help their ideas come to life! Her knowledge of instructional technology and planning is instrumental in helping teachers create relevant, interactive lessons that pique our students’ curiosity and motivate them to dig deeper into their learning. She accompanies the teacher and students every step of the way on their journey - from ideation to post-project reflection. All the while, her excitement for teaching and learning is contagious for everyone involved!
Ms. Prato’s roles reach far beyond the media center, but she has created a warm and inviting space where students know they belong and want to learn. For many of our students, coming to the media center is the highlight of their day. It sparks a desire to learn, read, create, and collaborate with others. Ms. Prato gets to know every student who walks through the media center’s doors, talking with them, celebrating their accomplishments, and picking them up when they’re feeling down. It’s amazing to witness her interactions with students. She treats each student with respect, and they know they are seen and heard.
The Hastings community is so lucky to have Ms. Prato as a leader in helping us all develop the CREATIVE side of the engaged learner. Thank you, Ms. Prato!
🐝 Spelling Bee 🐝
Who: ANY Hastings student
What: Demonstrate spelling prowess in a written, 40 word test
Where: Hastings Media Center
When: December 2nd from 3:30-3:50
Why: top scorers will compete against Jones students in an "old fashioned" stand-up and spell competition on January 13th @ Jones. First and second place finishers receive trophies!!!
Lists with ~450 potential words to be used on December 2nd can be found HERE or there are paper copies outside room 203 (Mrs. Flowers' room).
Questions? Contact Dana Flowers (dflowers@uaschools.org)
Tri-Village Packers: Thanksgiving and Winter Break Food Distribution
Upper Arlington Schools is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers for their Thanksgiving break and winter break food distribution programs. The Tri-Village Packers will distribute grocery items for the children of families in the Upper Arlington school district for the days out of school over Thanksgiving break (November 25-29) and winter break (December 21-January 4). The food will be provided at no cost for children who would benefit from the support.
To sign up to receive food for Thanksgiving and/or winter breaks, please complete this form by the end of the day on Monday, November 9, 2026. The school district will keep the information you provide in the form confidential unless you request otherwise.
Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found is overflowing! We currently have three full tables of items, including shoes, cleats, lunchboxes, sweatshirts, and more. Please encourage your students to take a few minutes to look through the Lost and Found and claim any belongings that may be theirs.
All remaining items will be donated to charity on November 7, so please remind students to check before then. Thank you for helping us get these items back to their rightful owners!
Digital Safety Presentation for Parents/Guardians
Upper Arlington Schools invites parents and guardians of students in grades K-12 to join internet safety expert Jesse Weinberger for an evening presentation on today’s digital environment and how families can support safe and responsible technology use. The presentation will build on age-appropriate digital safety presentations Weinberger will provide to students in grades 3-6, focused on digital citizenship, responsible technology use, online decision-making and personal safety.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center
In accordance with the presenter’s event requirements, this session is for adults only. Children and students ages 1–20 will not be admitted to the presentation space. Audio and video recording are also prohibited.
Digital Safety Presentation for Parents/Guardians
Upper Arlington Schools invites parents and guardians of students in grades K-12 to join internet safety expert Jesse Weinberger for an evening presentation on today’s digital environment and how families can support safe and responsible technology use. The presentation will build on age-appropriate digital safety presentations Weinberger will provide to students in grades 3-6, focused on digital citizenship, responsible technology use, online decision-making and personal safety.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center
In accordance with the presenter’s event requirements, this session is for adults only. Children and students ages 1–20 will not be admitted to the presentation space. Audio and video recording are also prohibited.
Be Present Ohio: The Online Experience
As part of our commitment to student safety and well-being, 7th-grade students will participate in Be Present Ohio: The Online Experience (BPO:XP) during Health class beginning the week of November 2, 2026.
BPO:XP is an evidence-based online program developed by Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. Through videos and activities, students will learn about mental health, suicide prevention, warning signs, coping strategies, and how to seek help for themselves or others. The program fulfills Ohio’s annual suicide prevention and safety education requirements.
BPO:XP is a prevention and education program, not a mental health assessment or treatment. Students will have access to their school counselor if they have questions or concerns.
Families may opt their child out of the program by completing the attached form by October 30, 2026.
Learn more about BPO:XP: Be Present Ohio
Thank you for partnering with us to support the safety, health, and well-being of our students!
Kelly Dainton, 7th grade School Counselor
Heart of Ohio Field Trip
On October 26, Hastings Middle School eighth graders visited the Ohio Statehouse, the Ohio Supreme Court, and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum for a day of hands-on learning. Students completed scavenger hunts, explored the purpose and design of each building, and discovered connections to American history, government, and military service.
The trip also connected directly to our school’s Veterans Day service project, reinforcing the importance of service, freedom, patriotism, duty, honor, and sacrifice. Through collaborative activities, thoughtful questions, and reflection, students put Upper Arlington’s Profile of an Engaged Learner into action as responsible, skilled communicators and open-minded, empathetic citizens. The experience helped students better understand the people, values, and civic responsibilities that shape our nation.
Beginning in November, Hastings PTO meetings will move to the third Thursday of each month to avoid conflicts with other PTO meetings and make it easier for families to attend.
Next meeting: Thursday, November 19 | 7 PM | Hastings Commons
There is no December meeting. All Hastings families are welcome!
Hastings Middle School Ski Club Spirit Wear Available Now!
Show your support while staying cozy this winter. From hoodies to hats, to hair accessories and pajama pants, your purchase supports the Hastings PTO.
Click the link NOW to order from ➜ Ski Club Spirit Wear Store
Tuesday, November 3
Can you donate a dozen treats or give two hours of your time? We still need cookies, brownies, donuts, cupcakes, and gluten-free baked goods. Homemade and store-bought items are welcome! Adult volunteer shifts remain open from 9:30 AM - 5:30PM.
Package treats individually or in small portions, clearly mark gluten-free or nut-free items, and deliver them to the Hastings office by 3:30 PM on Monday, November 2. To contribute toward purchased treats, Venmo @Hastings-PTO by October 29.
Donate treats or claim a shift →
Celebrate your favorite performer—and support Hastings!
Sunshine Patch Co. and the Hastings PTO are offering pre-ordered bouquets for the Fall Production on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8. Choose from multiple sizes and pick up your flowers before the show. 10% of all sales support Hastings Middle School.
Order by Wednesday, November 4, to guarantee your bouquet. Limited quantities will also be available for purchase before each performance.
Wednesday, November 11
Help our eighth graders welcome and honor community veterans at this special Hastings tradition.
Open volunteer opportunities include:
Setup: 11:30 AM–1 PM
Cleanup: 3–3:45 PM
Photographer: 1–3:20 PM
You can also donate bottled water or contribute $10 toward supplies and gifts.
Holiday favorites that give back!
Our holiday fundraiser with Foertmeyer & Sons begins October 28! Shop traditional poinsettias, live greenery, scented candles, and other winter favorites while supporting the Hastings PTO.
Orders open October 28 • Delivery December 8
Watch for the ordering link when the sale opens!
Save The Date! Tuesday, November 10 @ Kingsdale
