
The fifth graders got a sneak peek at middle school life today. They spent the morning touring the building, checking out classrooms, and getting the inside scoop on what to expect next year.
Big thanks to the middle school staff for welcoming our soon-to-be sixth graders and helping them feel right at home.







Please note, the meeting for the Washington D.C. trip has been rescheduled.


Congratulations to our April Young Citizenship Award recipients! Presented by the Hastings Kiwanis Club, this special honor recognizes students who consistently lead by example through kindness, integrity, and outstanding character in their daily lives.
Let’s celebrate these inspiring young leaders!

Important date to remember for all those going on the Washington D.C. trip!


While learning about Saxons today in Mrs. Basye's seventh grade ancient civilizations class, Victor E. Saxon (eighth grader Mason Matthews) paid a visit to the class last week! Go Saxons!


Joey Renner set a new middle school record in the pole vault at the Tom Foy Invitational in Ionia this weekend, clearing an incredible 11 feet, 8 inches! He broke Robby Slaughter’s 2019 record by just one inch, an amazing achievement. Congrats, Joey! 👏🎉


🎨✨ HMS Art Show 2025 ✨🎨
Tuesday, May 27th | 5–8 PM
📍 HMS Gym Hallway
Mark your calendars. Come experience the creativity, passion, and talent of our 7th & 8th grade artists as they showcase their independently planned and created artworks!
🖼️ PLUS:
Artwork from 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be featured on our official Art Show website — going live the same day!
🔗 Check it out here (starting May 27th): bit.ly/HMSArtShow25
Bring your family, invite your friends, and celebrate the work of our incredible HMS artists!


In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Hastings Middle School is turning up the fun with a Survivor-style showdown just for our incredible teachers!
Each day, participants will spin the Wheel of Fate. Will it be a well-earned reward, a quirky challenge, a brain-teasing riddle, or a surprise twist? The competition is fierce, the laughs are real, and the stakes are high.
Points will be earned throughout the week and the teacher with the highest score will be crowned the Ultimate Survivor Champion. If the entire staff racks up a combined total of 450 points, a special bonus round will be unlocked for everyone.
May the best teacher win!

While most students dream about what could make their school better, two middle schoolers actually made it happen.
Myles Drake and Austin Friddle took initiative and submitted a grant proposal to the Barry Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC), which supports local youth-focused projects with thousands of dollars each year.
Their request? A $500 grant to purchase a device that helps clean and sanitize wrestling mats more efficiently, giving their team more time to focus on practice and less on prep.
Huge thanks to the Barry Community Foundation and a shout-out to these two young leaders for turning an idea into action!

Health classes taught by Mr. Longs and Mr. Colston have teamed up with Corewell Health for an important lesson: The basics of CPR and first aid.




HMS-MiTrades Summer Camp is back for another year and signups are open.
HMS-MiTrades Summer Camp is a partnership between Hastings Area Schools, Mi-STEM Network, and the local community. The program aims to expose middle school students to trades skills to help them start planning for a career.
Students have an opportunity to learn what educational opportunities exist to prepare them for trades positions, what certifications are needed, and some general basic financial information and projected employment opportunities in the trades. Students will also learn carpentry skills through hands-on building, as well. Spaces are limited so please sign up ASAP.
SIGN UP: https://bit.ly/HMS-MiTrade-Camp2025


Students at Hastings Middle School could exhale deeply today now that their state testing is complete.
This morning during Seminar, Mr. Keller, Mr. Long, Mrs. Basye, and Mrs. Coenen's classes held a short "Fun Friday" competition in the hallway.
The goal was to land a ball into one of three baskets worth 1, 2, or 3 points. Team Basye/Coenen started strong with the first throw being a 3-point basket but Team Keller/Long took the win.
Great job on all your hard work during this testing period!







Tennis and track are both cancelled for today, Thursday, May 1.


Volleyball camps and training will be available this spring. Check out this information to learn more.



Jazz Fest rolls on today. Hastings Middle School's eighth grade choir performed this morning at Grace Lutheran Church. Choirs get to perform a couple of songs and then receive feedback from a clinician, so it's also a great learning experience.
Hastings High School Sonos will also perform at Grace at 1:15 p.m. today and the varsity singers will perform at 2:15 p.m.






They handle the work behind the scenes, in front of the scenes and pretty much everywhere else. Yesterday was National Administrative Professionals Day, and we extended a huge thank you to our rock star staff of administrative assistants and secretaries!


A 🎵 music-filled 🎶 week in on tap as the Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Fest hits the streets of Hastings!
Our talented Saxon musicians will be performing alongside bands from all across the state. Check out this schedule to see where and when they’re performing.
Come out, show your support, and soak up sounds from some great musicians.


From field trips to game days, our students are always on the go—and it’s all thanks to the awesome folks behind the wheel. 🚌 Today is Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and we’re sending a big thank you to our incredible drivers who keep things rolling safely and smoothly. Let’s show them some love!


Our school board will be meeting on Monday, April 21 at Hastings Middle School.


Happy Easter to the Saxon community!
