MARCH 9, 2020 - Today, Shakopee Public Schools learned that a parent of students - who attend Eagle Creek Elementary and are enrolled in our Early Childhood Family Education program one day per week - has been exposed to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The parent was in close proximity to an individual who tested positive for the Coronavirus. Under guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health, the parent is being voluntarily quarantined for 14 days. During the voluntary quarantine, the parent will be monitored for symptoms associated with the Coronavirus. 

If the parent develops a fever, then the children of the parent will need to stay home from school. We are in contact with the impacted parent and will continue to monitor the situation. 

The Minnesota Department of Health takes the lead in cases like this and we look to them, as health experts, for guidance. As always, we encourage parents and guardians to keep their students home if they are not feeling well.

For several weeks, key district leaders have been in the planning and preparing stages as to how to respond to a potential outbreak of Coronavirus. It’s good to note that many of our  current standards and protocols in place for the influenza season are also helpful in countering infection by the Coronavirus. 

Our custodial staff has increased efforts to frequently clean commonly touched surfaces in our schools. Additionally, in an effort to be prepared for a variety of contingencies, the district has additional disinfectant chemical products that will disinfect and kill emerging pathogens; the type associated with Coronavirus.

The most significant things you can do to protect yourself and your family from contagious conditions are the same preventative practices that we promote every year during cold and flu season:

• Staff and students should stay home if they are feeling ill, have a fever of 100 degrees or more, or are exhibiting flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. 
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Use your own water bottle - do not share.
• Cover a cough. Cough or sneeze into an elbow or use a tissue and place immediately in the trash.
• Staff and students should not participate in extracurricular activities when they are sick

More information on the Coronavirus is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

If you have additional questions about the situation in Minnesota, you may contact the Minnesota Department of Health's hotline at 651-201-5414. 

Please know that we will continue to keep a close eye on this situation. We will be sure to communicate with you via email, social media and website if more information becomes available. 

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