- Shakopee Public Schools
- Latest News
Latest News
Health & Safety
-
Issued August 24, 2021
On August 23, 2021, a resolution was unanimously approved by the school board in relation to health and safety measures that will be implemented at the commencement of the 2021-2022 school year.
The below pdf provides a simplified explanation of the approved resolution.
Prior to the start of school, additional information will be shared to help answer questions on quarantine/isolation guidelines, testing availability, communication processes, seating charts/distancing and other related topics.
As noted in the below health & safety overview, face masks will be required starting September 1, for staff and students in early learning (ages 3-5) and grades K-6th. This includes Connect & Assess Days and 6th grade Open House (as part of the E/W Middle School Open Houses). Please see Scenario 2 in the overview for more details.
Face masks are recommended/strongly recommended (based on vaccine status) for students and staff in grades 7-12. In addition, the School Board resolution grants the Superintendent the authority to implement additional mitigation should there be a significant increase in COVID-19 case rates.
Shakopee Public Schools has worked diligently to be measured, consistent and thoughtful in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary guiding principle since the start of the pandemic has been to maintain an appropriate balance between the health and safety of our students, staff and community AND providing the best learning opportunities possible for our students.
The district has also been supported by the Scott County Department of Health and Shakopee Public Schools Health Services team, and has relied on input and constructive feedback from the Pandemic Response Advisory Team (PRAT). The members of the PRAT have invested much time and effort into becoming well informed on the many aspects of the COVID-19, and specifically its potential impact on school district services and activities. The PRAT consists of parents, students, teachers, staff, school board members and district leaders.
At all times, in all locations, for all ages, Shakopee Public Schools will employ the following health and safety mitigation recommendations from MDH and MDE:
- Increased ventilation and air flow inside buildings
- Cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces
- Greater emphasis on handwashing and hygiene
- Greater emphasis on respiratory etiquette
- Social distancing when practicable
- Wearing face masks when riding on school buses as required by federal order
Persons with symptoms of COVID-19, or persons infected by COVID-19 must follow health and safety rules and not be present in the school zone.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our students, families and district. Together, we will make the 2021/22 school year a success!
Back to School Health & Safety Details
Archived 2021/22 School Communications
-
July 29. 2021
Issue Date: July 29, 2021
A large volume of new information about the COVID-19 pandemic has been shared by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This information includes guidance and recommendations for school districts.
As has been the practice since the beginning of the pandemic, Shakopee Public Schools will be delving into and analyzing this new information and then working to make thoughtful decisions regarding the health and safety of our students, staff and community. As part of this process, the school district Pandemic Response Advisory Team (made up of school board members, district leaders, teachers, students, parents and community members) will resume scheduled meetings. The district will also continue to seek expert guidance from the Scott County Department of Health.
Currently, the District continues to employ the following COVID-19 prevention strategies:
- Increased ventilation and air flow inside buildings
- Cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces
- Social distancing, when practical
- Wearing of face masks (staff and students) when riding on school buses as required by federal order
Currently, the District recommends (does not require) those not vaccinated should continue to wear face masks when inside school buildings. The school district will examine whether, or not, to move from this current practice to other forms of mask recommendations and/or requirements. Information will continue to be shared directly with district staff, families and stakeholders in addition to being posted to the district website here.
-
June 11, 2021
Information on the 2021/22 school year will be added throughout the summer. Please check back at a later date for updates. Major announcements or school year details will also be sent to your Infinite Campus account and school email on file. Please update your contact preferences in Infinite Campus to enable text notifications; a resource guide on this process can be found here.
Additional district parent/guardian resources can be found here.
At this time, COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols for the 2021/22 school year have not been directly communicated by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). At this time, summer program health and safety guidelines are outlined below and will continue to apply to all programming on or after June 11, 2011 until directed otherwise.
-
Face coverings
- Face coverings are required only on public transportation. This is a federal government requirement as determined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
- Face coverings are not required anywhere within the school district, including inside district buildings.
- Face coverings are recommended by the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for staff and students who are not vaccinated.
Physical distancing and cohorting
- There are no longer capacity or physical distancing requirements.
- Spacing will occur to the extent possible when indoors.
Health screening, isolation, quarantine
- Everyone will conduct a daily self-screening.
- Isolation will be required for a person who tests positive for COVID-19 or lives with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
- Families will be notified via email if a person who tests positive for COVID-19 was present within the classroom or in a summer school activity.
- Students and staff will not be required to quarantine if they are exposed to a person with COVID-19 at school or a school activity.
- Families may choose to have their child quarantined in such circumstances.
Student and staff COVID-19 testing
- On site testing is being discontinued in the school district due to very low participation rates.
- Testing remains available from other sources in the community.
-
