We have another group of VERY deserving students who were given the Young Citizenship Award by the Hastings Kiwanis Club for the month of March. Great job, everyone!





Every four years, the Hastings Marching Band takes their talents on the road, heading to Universal Studios in Orlando for a special performance. This year, the Saxons made the journey and proudly marched on Sunday, representing Hastings hundreds of miles from home. Outstanding job!

The drum line at Hastings Middle School sent students off to Spring Break Thursday on an energetic note. Admit it; it's just cooler to walk out of a building with your own personal drum line playing in the background. Have a great break!



We'll see you on Monday!

The students at Hastings Central Elementary worked so hard on their reading all throughout March Is Reading Month, and they definitely earned a celebration!
To wrap it all up, the school hosted a super fun Masked Dancer and Glow Assembly.
Students had a blast trying to guess which teachers were busting moves in disguise. They finished the assembly with a glow-tastic dance party of their own. The perfect ending to a month full of reading, learning, and lots of smiles!
To wrap it all up, the school hosted a super fun Masked Dancer and Glow Assembly.
Students had a blast trying to guess which teachers were busting moves in disguise. They finished the assembly with a glow-tastic dance party of their own. The perfect ending to a month full of reading, learning, and lots of smiles!






Senior Gracie Wilson put a pen to paper last week and signed her letter to compete in cheer at Adrian College next year. We look forward to following your collegiate career in the sport!

Saxons have each other’s backs! 💙
In anticipation of state testing (i.e. M-STEP, PSAT, etc.), students of all ages across our district took time to write letters of encouragement to one another. Every student will receive uplifting words from a fellow Saxon, reminding them they are supported and ready to succeed.
Good luck...you’ve got this!
In anticipation of state testing (i.e. M-STEP, PSAT, etc.), students of all ages across our district took time to write letters of encouragement to one another. Every student will receive uplifting words from a fellow Saxon, reminding them they are supported and ready to succeed.
Good luck...you’ve got this!


At Hastings Area School System, we’re building confident learners from DAY ONE!
Whether your child is entering preschool, young kindergarten, or kindergarten, we provide a supportive, engaging environment to help them grow, learn, and thrive right from the start.
We’re now enrolling students at all early learning levels and invite you to discover what HASS can offer your child. When you’re ready to enroll your new Saxon, visit hassk12.org and click “Enroll Today!”
Whether your child is entering preschool, young kindergarten, or kindergarten, we provide a supportive, engaging environment to help them grow, learn, and thrive right from the start.
We’re now enrolling students at all early learning levels and invite you to discover what HASS can offer your child. When you’re ready to enroll your new Saxon, visit hassk12.org and click “Enroll Today!”

Everyone around here is getting in on March is Reading Month. This includes Superintendent Dr. Damico, who dropped by Northeastern Elementary earlier this week to read to students.



Monday at the monthly Hastings City Council meeting, two of our Southeastern Elementary Student Council members presented their idea of adding more birdhouses throughout our community.
A motion was made, and we are excited to see this project move forward. We love seeing our students — even some of our younger learners — make an impact on our community!
A motion was made, and we are excited to see this project move forward. We love seeing our students — even some of our younger learners — make an impact on our community!

Saxons have each other’s backs! 💙
In anticipation of state testing (i.e. M-STEP, PSAT, etc.), students of all ages across our district took time to write letters of encouragement to one another. Every student will receive uplifting words from a fellow Saxon, reminding them they are supported and ready to succeed.
Good luck...you’ve got this!
In anticipation of state testing (i.e. M-STEP, PSAT, etc.), students of all ages across our district took time to write letters of encouragement to one another. Every student will receive uplifting words from a fellow Saxon, reminding them they are supported and ready to succeed.
Good luck...you’ve got this!


Reminder: There will be no school for students tomorrow, March 20, 2026. Teachers will be participating in professional learning. Have a great weekend!

Star Elementary was glowing green yesterday for 🍀St. Patrick’s Day🍀! From festive outfits to creative leprechaun traps, the halls were full of laughter and school spirit.







Southeastern Elementary fifth graders had an exciting day yesterday exploring future career possibilities!
Students visited Hastings Fiberglass, the Barry County Courthouse, and Corewell Health Pennock, getting a firsthand look at a variety of professions in action. It was an inspiring experience to help them start thinking about what they might want to be when they grow up!
Students visited Hastings Fiberglass, the Barry County Courthouse, and Corewell Health Pennock, getting a firsthand look at a variety of professions in action. It was an inspiring experience to help them start thinking about what they might want to be when they grow up!






It’s always special when our older students have the opportunity to give back and support younger learners. This semester, 8th graders in Mr. Renner’s Innovation and Design class took on the exciting project of building 3D printers.
Jackson, Davis, Karter and Kenna assembled the printers from kits, calibrating them, troubleshooting issues, and learning how all of the mechanical and electronic components come together. And the best part is that these printers will be given to our elementary schools here in Hastings.
This project was made possible through the generosity of the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation, which provided funding through the 2025–26 CISD Mini Grant Program. Hastings Area School System received four mini grants, which helped purchase the Prusa CORE One+ kits used in the project.
A big thank you to William Renner, Jessica Fleis, Julie Carlson, and Elizabeth Macklin for their work in securing these grants and helping make this opportunity possible for our students.
Jackson, Davis, Karter and Kenna assembled the printers from kits, calibrating them, troubleshooting issues, and learning how all of the mechanical and electronic components come together. And the best part is that these printers will be given to our elementary schools here in Hastings.
This project was made possible through the generosity of the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation, which provided funding through the 2025–26 CISD Mini Grant Program. Hastings Area School System received four mini grants, which helped purchase the Prusa CORE One+ kits used in the project.
A big thank you to William Renner, Jessica Fleis, Julie Carlson, and Elizabeth Macklin for their work in securing these grants and helping make this opportunity possible for our students.


The HASS Board of Education will be meeting this evening at the Hastings Performing Arts Center.

Look for the full list of Young Citizenship Award recipients in Thursday's Hastings Banner. We're proud of these students who lead by example!





The Saxons had a great week at the state wrestling championships. Hastings took six qualifiers and finished the weekend with three all-state wrestlers!
In her freshman debut, Riley Furrow finished the weekend in 5th place. She becomes the first lady Saxon to place at state as a freshman. Along the way, she also became the first girl to record 40 wins.
Hunter Sutfin picked up his second all-state honors as a sophomore, earning a 6th place finish. Hunter also passed the season record for takedowns with 185 (previous record 175, Robby Slaughter). He also tied the school record for wins in a season with 54 (tied with Coach Jason Slaughter).
Sara Baker took home 8th place and all-state honors at her first time at Ford Field. She finishes out her senior year with a 30-plus win season.
Jace Acker, Abby Frazer, and Alexia Owen had a good weekend, but came up just short of the medal stand. Abby and Jace took home a win each for the weekend, which put them in the top 12 of their weight classes.
In her freshman debut, Riley Furrow finished the weekend in 5th place. She becomes the first lady Saxon to place at state as a freshman. Along the way, she also became the first girl to record 40 wins.
Hunter Sutfin picked up his second all-state honors as a sophomore, earning a 6th place finish. Hunter also passed the season record for takedowns with 185 (previous record 175, Robby Slaughter). He also tied the school record for wins in a season with 54 (tied with Coach Jason Slaughter).
Sara Baker took home 8th place and all-state honors at her first time at Ford Field. She finishes out her senior year with a 30-plus win season.
Jace Acker, Abby Frazer, and Alexia Owen had a good weekend, but came up just short of the medal stand. Abby and Jace took home a win each for the weekend, which put them in the top 12 of their weight classes.









Students at Star Elementary kicked off March is Reading Month with a ROAR ... literally! On Monday, they held their ROAR and READ assembly to get ready for a month filled with stories, imagination, and LOTS of reading! We can't wait to see what books our readers discover along the way.
📖 Let’s get reading 📖
📖 Let’s get reading 📖







Saxon girls varsity basketball is in Haslett tonight to take on Lakewood in the first round of the district tournament. Good luck, ladies!

