Saber Family Update

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Shakopee Public Schools Media Specialist, Doug Keddie, as shared by his wife on a public CaringBridge page early this morning.

Doug joined Shakopee Public Schools in August of 2004 as a Third Grade Teacher at Red Oak Elementary and then served in the same role at Eagle Creek Elementary from 2008 to 2010. During his time in the district, he also served in Technology Integration and Media Specialist roles, providing support to various buildings, students and staff members. Most recently, Doug served as a Media Specialist for Eagle Creek and Red Oak Elementary Schools.

Support staff will be available at various building locations throughout the day for staff and students. 

A GoFundMe was created on behalf of the family a week ago and can be accessed here. 

At our elementary schools, and across the district, we have support staff available for any individual who may need assistance surrounding this loss and difficult time. We encourage you, as parents/guardians, to also feel free to use our resources listed below. 

We are saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child as needed.

Shakopee Public Schools and the Elementary Principal Team

Additional Resources 

Resources for parents after a crisis, in multiple languages:

https://nyssswa.org/crisis-response/resources-for-parents/

Resources from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network:

https://www.nctsn.org/resources/all-nctsn-resources

Resources for parents and children, translated into multiple languages: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/translated-safety-and-crisis-resources

Sesame Street resources related to traumatic experiences – videos, articles, activities for young children and their families

https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/traumatic-experiences/

Health Services Reminders

As we navigate through the annual cold/flu season, Shakopee Public Schools encourages parents and guardians to keep students home if they are exhibiting flu-related symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness and/or body aches. These symptoms usually begin suddenly and may be severe enough to stop daily activities. The Department of Health offers the following guidance to protect one’s self and others:

• Avoid being around others who are sick.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Protect infants by not exposing them to large crowds or sick family members when flu is in your community.

• Do not share drinking cups and straws.

• Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces (door knobs, refrigerator handles, phones, water faucets).

If a student will be absent from school, please call their school’s attendance line. In addition to calling the attendance line, positive COVID-19 cases can also be reported using our Optional Self-Reporting tool by clicking here.

Additionally, the district’s custodial staff has increased their efforts to frequently clean commonly touched surfaces in our schools.

Public Notice

In accordance with MN Statute 123B.51, Independent School District 720- Shakopee Public Schools will be holding a public hearing on the closing of the Central School Building located at 505 Holmes Street S., Shakopee, MN 55379. The hearing will be held during the School Board meeting on Monday, November 21, 2022. The School Board meeting begins at 6 PM and will be held in the Thrust Auditorium at Shakopee High School, 100 17th Avenue W., Shakopee, MN 55379. Members of the public are invited to give testimony or comment on this matter. 

Optional At-Home COVID-19 Tests

BinaxNOW at-home test kits are now available to all district families (PreK-12) who wish to have a kit on hand to test their child when COVID-like symptoms are present. The test kits are provided at no cost to the district and at no cost to families/students by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) via the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).  Click here to learn more.