Hastings Public Schools Foundation

06/09/2026

This Friday, you have the chance to support Hastings TeamMates, MentoringWorks, and CASA of South Central Nebraska at Mentors Making Waves at Chautauqua Park. Dunk tank is open from 9 am to 9 pm - and if you want to get Chris Schukei all wet; show up at Noon!

THIS FRIDAY! 💦 Get ready to make some waves, Hastings!

Join Hastings TeamMates, MentoringWorks and CASA of South Central Nebraska for Mentors Making Waves on Friday, June 12 at Chautauqua Park. Throughout the day, local community members will take a turn in the dunk tank while we raise awareness for the many ways volunteers can make a difference in the lives of youth.

This fun community event supports all three organizations and helps us continue connecting young people with caring adults who mentor, advocate, and inspire.

Bring your friends, bring your family, and come enjoy a day of fun for a great cause!

👀 Most importantly... who are YOU hoping to dunk?

06/09/2026

Thank you Hastings Sunrise Rotary for letting Superintendent Hauser and Chris Schukei share the great things that are happening in the Hastings Public Schools!

06/05/2026

Join us at Duncan Field on Friday, June 19 at 7 pm to watch the Hastings Sodbusters take on the Fremont Moo and help the HPS Foundation at the same time!

Use promo code HPSF619 for $2 off plus a $3 donation to the Hastings Public Schools Foundation per ticket.

Purchase tickets here:
https://hastings.flicket.io/e4f9a98e-eab0-45dd-a6ca-d01b25b18ecb/releases/Hastings%20Public%20%20School%20Foundation

See you at Duncan on Friday, June 19!!

06/04/2026

Huge thanks to Five Points Bank for their contributions to our operating endowment fund!! Their commitment to community allows us to do amazing things for the students and educators of the Hastings Public Schools.

06/03/2026

The Hastings Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce that an existing scholarship is now fully endowed - and will be broadened to honor an entire family.

The Glen Cafferty Memorial Scholarship was established in 2018 to recognize a graduating senior from the Hastings High baseball team who also exhibits team and school leadership.

Glen (left) was a 1989 Hastings High School graduate who played baseball and basketball throughout his high school career. His athletic career was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer as a senior in high school. Glen passed away in 1990, but his memory lives on through all those who knew him.

This year, as the scholarship became fully endowed, it honors the entire Cafferty family.

This includes Tom Cafferty (right) who passed away in 2024. Tom spent years coaching and was responsible for so much of the success of the American Legion baseball program in Hastings.

Glen’s mother and Tom’s wife, Cathy - who was a teacher and principal in the Hastings Public Schools for 30 years -, and who still continues to substitute teach in the district presented the scholarship at this year's Hastings High Senior Night.

Additionally, Tom and Cathy's son Jason taught and coached in HPS for 25 years - and his daughter Anna is a current HPS teacher and coach.

And ALL of them are HHS graduates, as well!!

We are grateful to the Cafferty Family for allowing us to be part of their legacy - and for the many donors who helped make the endowment possible.

06/02/2026

THANK YOU to HMS 8th grader Conner Kelley for his phenomenal Eagle Scout project that was completed this weekend. He coordinated the building of an ADA accessible path from the HMS west parking lot to the HMS garden - making the garden now accessible to ALL students and community members.

The HPS Foundation was proud to assist with materials costs - and we thank our incredible donors for helping make great things happen at the Hastings Public Schools!

06/01/2026

THANK YOU to the Hastings Tribune for their great stories and photos of HPS' award winning educators!

This link is for the Jane Johnson Educator of the Year, Hastings High Special Education Teacher Ellie Friend.

Ellie Friend is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a caregiver — and yes, a friend. People love her for that.

05/30/2026

THANK YOU to the Hastings Tribune for their great stories and photos of HPS' award winning educators!

This link is for the Roger and Karen Doerr Distinguished Senior Educator, Alcott Elementary Counselor Laurie Parr.

Simple but effective, it only took a quick word of encouragement at the beginning and end of each day.

05/29/2026

THANK YOU to the Hastings Tribune for their great stories and photos of HPS' award winning educators!

This link is for the Jane Johnson Emerging Educator of the Year - Watson Elementary Physical Education Teacher Ryan Martin.

Using pizza boxes saved from his family’s Friday night dinners, Watson Elementary School physical education teacher Ryan Martin taught nearly every student in his kindergarten and first-grade classes how to

05/25/2026

In observance of the Memorial Day holiday our next community garden night will be held on TUESDAY, May 26th from 5:30-7pm.