Raider Staff Spotlight - Bree Paananen, Paraprofessional, Pinecrest
Every student in our district deserves the best opportunities to thrive and grow! Many children have these opportunities come to life through our incredible Special Education program in ISD 200. Thanks to a dedicated team of exceptional staff members, our special education department provides programs and resources to support community members from birth to age 21.
One standout among them is Ms. Bree Paananen, a talented paraprofessional who joined the LEAP classroom at Pinecrest Elementary last year. Bree's favorite part of her job is watching students achieve their goals. "I love being in the classroom, witnessing the children's growth and milestones. Supporting others has always brought me fulfillment," she shares.
Living in Hastings, Bree is excited for her daughter to attend ISD 200 schools one day. She feels fortunate to work in the LEAP program, where she can observe her sister, who has Down syndrome, in the classroom. "I'm continually impressed by the positive experiences my family members have had in Hastings' Special Education classes over the years," she says.
We are grateful for Bree's commitment to creating a positive and inclusive environment for our students. When she's not supporting her amazing kids, Bree enjoys spending time with her family and expressing her creativity through arts and crafts.
Thank you, Ms. Paananen, for your dedication to helping our students grow!
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.
Mrs.Matzek’s kindergartners had a FANTASTIC first day of school!
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!!!
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!
