DECEMBER 20, 2019 UPDATE - As Shakopee Public Schools prepares to start winter break, the district extends its sincerest appreciation to each and every employee for all of their help while navigating through the number of influenza-related illnesses (ILI) and symptoms experienced this week.

 

Additionally, school nurses have done a tremendous job attending to the needs of students and staff, as well as the custodial team and their work to limit the spread of illness. 

 

Today’s number of reported influenza-related illnesses (ILI) and symptoms show overall improvement. Compared to Thursday, five schools report a decrease, one school remained the same, and three schools report an increase. 

 

Click here to review the full news release for student absences being reported as of 11:30 a.m. December 20. The chart also shows a comparison to the student absences reported at the same time on December 19.

 

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DECEMBER 19, 2019 UPDATE - The number of influenza-related illnesses (ILI) and symptoms among Shakopee Public Schools students and staff is improving. Compared to Tuesday, when the number of reported student absences due to ILI peaked, the latest report shows a decrease in five schools.

 

West Middle School, which reported 29.12% on Tuesday is now at 16.92%. Sun Path Elementary reported 19.76% on Tuesday, and is now reporting 15.71%. 

 

School districts are required to contact the Minnesota Department of Health when 5% of the student body is absent and reporting “influenza-like illnesses”, or ILI. The MDH expects school district reporting of ILI to include the following: influenza, influenza-like symptoms, and all other unspecified illnesses.

 

“We take the health and safety of our students and staff very seriously, and want to do everything we can to limit the spread of illness,” said Superintendent Mike Redmond. “The custodial team is wiping down common areas such as door handles, drinking fountains, and other hard surfaces, and staff members are assisting in their particular classrooms.”

 

Click here to review the full news release to review student absences being reported as of 11:30 a.m. Thursday, December 19. The chart also shows a comparison to the student absences reported at the same time on December 18 and December 17.

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DECEMBER 18, 2019 UPDATE - Shakopee Public Schools is continuing to monitor the number of influenza-related illnesses (ILI) and symptoms among students and staff.

 

The Wednesday report shows four schools have seen an increase and five schools have seen a decrease in the number of student absences due to ILI. The Shakopee school district is encouraged that West Middle School and Sun Path Elementary, the two buildings of significant concern, have seen a drop in the number of ILI student absences reported on Wednesday.  

 

School districts are required to contact the Minnesota Department of Health when 5% of the student body is absent and reporting “influenza-like illnesses”, or ILI. The MDH expects school district reporting of IDI to include the following: influenza, influenza-like symptoms, and all other unspecified illnesses.

 

Click here to review the full news release to review student absences being reported as of 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 18. The chart also shows a comparison to the student absences reported at the same time on December 17.

 

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DECEMBER 17, 2019 UPDATE - Shakopee Public Schools is continuing to monitor the number of flu-related illnesses and symptoms among students and staff.

 

Recently, two schools reached a significant level of concern. On Monday, West Middle School had more than 300 student absences. Last Wednesday, Sun Path Elementary reported 100 student absences. 

 

School districts are required to contact the Minnesota Department of Health when 5% of the student body is absent and reporting “influenza-like illnesses”, or ILI. The MDH expects school district reporting of IDI to include the following: influenza, influenza-like symptoms, and all other unspecified illnesses.

 

At Sun Path Elementary, there was a large one day increase in the number of student absences related to influenza-like illness. Since the large increase on day one, ILI absences have remained fairly constant. It appears a similar pattern is happening at West Middle School. Yesterday, there was a large increase in the number of ILI absences reported at West. Today’s absence numbers are similar to those reported yesterday. 

 

Other schools in the district are currently reporting what would be considered typical influenza episodes, with numbers of absences that are currently much lower than those reported at Sun Path and West. ILI reports have been made to the Department of Health as Sweeney Elementary, Red Oak Elementary, and East Middle School are currently reporting absence rates a bit over 5% of their student enrollments. 

 

Here is the breakdown of student absences counted as ILI being reported as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 17:

 

• West Middle School: 29.12%
• Sun Path Elementary School: 19.76%
• Sweeney Elementary School: 8.12%
• East Middle School: 6.86%
• Red Oak Elementary School: 5.85%
• Jackson Elementary: 4.78%
• Eagle Creek Elementary: 4.67%
• Shakopee High School: 3.34%
• Tokata Learning Center: 3.19%

 

The school district is closely monitoring the situation, and hoping the situation has, or is close to peaking in all impacted buildings. If things worsen, the district may need to take further actions in an effort to keep students and staff healthy and safe.

 

Shakopee schools encourages parents and guardians to keep their students home if they are exhibiting flu-related symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, and body aches. These symptoms usually begin suddenly and may be severe enough to stop your daily activities.

 

 

The Department of Health offers the following guidance to protect one’s self and others:

• Get vaccinated.
• 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).

 

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

 

As of now, all schools will continue to follow their building schedules for the rest of the week. 

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THIS NEWS RELEASE.

 

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DECEMBER 16, 2019 - There have been a number of flu-related absences among students in Shakopee Public Schools. West Middle School reports more than 300 student absences due to flu-related illnesses and/or symptoms. West has a total student body of 1,165 students.

 

Last week, Sun Path Elementary reported 100 student absences due to flu-related illnesses. Sun Path has a total student body of 593 students.

 

School districts are required to contact the Minnesota Department of Health when 5% of the student body is absent and reporting flu and flu-like symptoms. 

 

“As always, we encourage parents and guardians to keep their students home if they are exhibiting flu-related symptoms,” said Superintendent Mike Redmond. “We are taking the necessary precautions, and will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action, as needed.”