Hastings Public Schools launches app; Looks to improve communication

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - Hastings Public Schools recently launched an app, aiming to achieve their goal of improving communication between the district and its community.

The app provides access to the latest HPS news, weekly lunch menus at each school, a district calendar, contact information for all of the district buildings and more — all at the touch of the fingertips.

District superintendent Jeff Schneider said the platform allows for the fastest way to relay a message to parents, students and staff in the district.

“This will be the quickest way to get information about any announcements or anything like that so, we hope that, that will help us communicate with our community better,” Schneider said.

School principals have special access within the app to send out announcements for items such as reminders or an athletic game being rescheduled.

Schneider told Local4 News, the idea for the app sparked after reviewing the past school year’s survey results from district parents asking for a more convenient way to receive information.

“One of the things that we found in our survey, while we communicated all the information, we were kind of all over the place, right? There were phone calls, there were letters… we did social media posts, but the problem is, all of those — especially like the social media posts — they’re only good if people are seeing them so, getting the app, you get notified when there’s something to pay attention to,” he noted.

The app is available for download through both Google Play and the App Store. It is free of charge and can be found by searching: “Hastings Public Schools.”

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