Did you ever ride the bus to Hayfield Schools? If you have, you more than likely had the honor of this man sitting in the driver’s seat on one of those rides. Thanks, Red, for delivering all of those students safely to the school for the past 57 years. You will be missed! Enjoy your retirement.
February 2023
WHEREAS, Hayfield Community Schools recognizes the importance of public education in our community; and
WHEREAS, Hayfield Community Schools appreciates the vital role played by those individuals who, as local school board members, establish policies to ensure an efficient, effective school system; and
WHEREAS, school board members serve as a voice that enables our community to preserve local management and control of our public schools; and
WHEREAS, school board members are charged with representing our local education interests to state and federal governments and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws; and
WHEREAS, school board members selflessly devote their knowledge, time and talents as advocates for our schoolchildren;
WHEREAS, local school board members are strong advocates for public education and responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public’s expectations to the district;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Hayfield Community Schools recognizes and salutes the members of the Hayfield Community Schools School Board by proclaiming February 2023 as School Board Recognition Month.
Hayfield Boost Preschool will be taking enrollment online only for the 2023-2024 school year beginning Thursday, January 19 at 7:00 PM and ending Monday, January 23 at 8:00 AM.
This program is a full day preschool program (8:05 AM-2:50 PM), targeted for future Hayfield Kindergartners.
Services available to Boost students:
Bus transportation provided. There is limited pick up areas within Hayfield city limits
SACC (School Aged Child Care)-Hours are 6:00 AM-6:15 PM, more information is available on our website under Elementary\School Aged Child Care
Community Ed Classes
School Lunch-free and reduced applications are also accepted
Applications will only be accepted online by clicking this link and are handled on a first come first served basis. This link will not be live until tonight at 7:00 PM
Applicants will be contacted by January 26, 2023, regarding the status of their application.
Monthly Tuition Costs:
5 Days per week= $500 per month
4 Days per week=$475 per month
If you have any questions, please contact Tanya at rieketa@hayfield.k12.mn.us or 507-671-1518.
Tanya Rieken
Office Manager
Hayfield Elementary
507-671-1518
Boost Preschool
Hayfield Boost Preschool will be taking enrollment online only for the 2023-2024 school year beginning Thursday, January 19 at 7:00 PM and ending Monday, January 23 at 8:00 AM. This program is a full day preschool program, targeted for future Hayfield Kindergartners. Students will prepare for entrance into school in a positive environment where they can learn, grow, and build relationships.
Applications will only be accepted online through the district website and are handled on a first come first served basis. You can access the application by going to hayfield.k12.mn.us and click on the link under the Boost Preschool Registration post on the home page. This link will not be posted and live until January 19th.
Applicants will be contacted by January 26, 2023, regarding the status of their application.
Monthly Tuition Costs:
5 Days per week= $500 per month
4 Days per week=$475 per month
If you have any questions, please contact Tanya at rieketa@hayfield.k12.mn.us or 507-671-1518.
Thank you!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Starting Tuesday November 29th in the AM we will reverse the direction of the elementary drop off/ pick up. There will still be visitor parking in front of the elementary school facing WEST towards Country Road “T”. Please watch the YouTube Video. The video is also on our school Facebook Page. If you have any further questions please let me know.
Thank you,
Gregg Slaathaug
Superintendent Hayfield Community Schools
Many of us have either read The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper ourselves, or read it to our children or grandchildren. This is the story of the Little School District that Could.
This little school district is a small rural school district located in Southeast Minnesota, a geographically large district with a somewhat small population. It encompasses the communities of Brownsdale, Hayfield, Oslo, Sargeant, and Waltham, as well as several townships across two counties.
This little school district believes whole heartedly in itself. The students, teachers, staff, administration, food service providers, bus drivers, and everyone else involved with this little school district believe they have what it takes to succeed in today’s educational environment. In addition, the citizens, taxpayers, and the local business leaders also believe in this little school district.
In 2017 this aging little school district went to the taxpayers with a bold plan: The 65+ year-old building needed to be renovated, they explained. Major changes were needed to bring the educational facility into the 21st century.
So, the brand-new superintendent gathered his team and went to personally talk with voters to explain the current conditions and future plans. Meetings were held, tours were given, and questions were answered. In September of 2017, just 2 ½ months into the new superintendent’s position, a special bonding referendum election was held. Thankfully, the voters of this special little school district agreed renovations were indeed necessary. And so began a multi-year plan to modernize this aging little school district.
One focus item of the renovation plan was a completely new Heating and Ventilation (HVAC) system. The unit would circulate fresh air multiple times per hour throughout the day, oxygenating and purifying classrooms, offices, gyms and hallways.
In just a few months, a novel virus would hit the country. The new system would become vitally important.
Equally important was the new investment in technology the little school district made just prior to the virus. In March of 2020, the Governor of Minnesota shuttered all schools in the state due to Covid-19. Students in the little school district did not lose instructional time; new technology meant the majority of students had devices they could use for Distance Learning.
As the little school district moved through the remainder of the 2020 school year and into the summer months, it quickly became clear that distance learning did not reflect the best the little school district had to offer. Students missed their peers; teachers missed their students; lessons and learning were not the same. The little school district students were struggling. It was time to prepare for another uphill journey: the superintendent knew face-to-face learning in the fall of 2020 would be of paramount importance. It was time to get back to work.
At that time, much was reported about the importance of updated HVAC systems in schools. A clean air exchange would go a long way in protecting students. Fortunately, the little school district was ahead of the game, with a state-of-the-art HVAC system.
Along with this was a wonderfully renovated facility, an enthusiastic staff and eager students. The little school district knew it could successfully resume face-to-face education, but would the virus thwart all plans? There was only one way to find out.
On the Tuesday after Labor Day, 2021, the little school district reopened for in-person, face-to-face learning. While many other districts struggled with remote learning challenges, this little school district brought its kids “home” to the classrooms! Pre-K through the 6th grades were able to spend the entire school year in face-to-face learning. Grades 7-12 were face-to-face except for a 6-week hybrid period. Throughout all of the challenges, the primary focus was to “Keep the kids in school!” Once again, the little school district proved it could.
Not only did this little school district keep the kids in school, they kept all of the programs going as well. For the first time in history, there were virtualized concerts, streamed events, and in-person sporting events with limited spectators. Creativity abounded as technology kept spectators in touch with district events.
Was that enough for the little school district? No! It would finish this spectacular year by sending athletes to compete at the state level. For the first time in school history, “I think I can” morphed into “I know we can.” In April, the boys basketball team brought home the State Championship. In June, the baseball team brought home a second State Championship!
This little school district surpassed all expectations, all year long. Not only does it believe in itself; it believes in its students. It will go the extra mile because it believes students deserve the very best educational, enriching experiences possible.
If you are looking for a School District for your children that believes in putting kids first, offers small class sizes for optimal learning, and enlists teachers, staff and an administration that care, this little gem of a school district in a state-of-the-art facility is for you.
Hayfield Community Schools in Hayfield, Minnesota, the Little School District that Could!