Shakopee Public Schools' Board Post- Meeting Brief

Press release from the Shakopee Public Schools:

January 4, 2021

At the January 4, 2021 school board meeting, which included newly sworn in members Mohamed Ibrahim and Jeff Smith, a recommendation from the Shakopee Public Schools Pandemic Response Advisory Team was approved for adjustments to the elementary (K-5) IHD learning plan. Background on Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Education’s previously announced changes to the Safe Learning Plan that led to the approved recommendation can be found here.

Elementary Schools

A summary of approved elementary updates are below.

• Elementary IHD students in grades K-2 will shift into the in-person learning model (five days per week on site) on Monday, January 25, 2021.
• Elementary IHD students in grades 3-5 will remain in distance learning until Friday, February 5, 2021. They will shift to in-person learning (five days per week) on Monday, February 8, 2021.
• School start times will be adjusted to those originally planned for the school year (which are an hour earlier than hybrid).
  • Jackson & Sun Path: 8:30am - 3:10pm
  • Eagle Creek, Red Oak & Sweeney: 9:05am-3:45pm
• Transportation: the majority of students will ride the same bus route (stop and bus unchanged), with morning pickup being one hour earlier. Additionally, the majority of afternoon student routes will remain unchanged.
• Full details will be available in parent portal and communicated directly to those with significant transportation changes the week of January 18.

Please note that the district and Pandemic Response Advisory Team will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the above in-person start dates for elementary IHD students remain a safe and appropriate choice. Should the situation change, a recommendation may possibly be made to delay the start of in-person learning for elementary IHD students.

Secondary Schools

As previously noted during the December 18, 2020 Superintendent communication, Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan did not contain changes for our secondary schools (East, West, High School, and Tokata). Therefore, in accordance with the rules of the Safe Learning Plan, our secondary schools will still be in distance learning at this time and are expected to continue in this model at least through January 15, 2021 and most likely through at least January 31, 2021.

As we have been, we will continue to monitor the situation and the Pandemic Response Advisory Team will evaluate at their weekly meeting. Any transition from distance learning to hybrid or -in-person for secondary IHD students (grades 6-12) will be communicated at least ten (10) days prior to the intended transition date and include proper preparation days for teachers/staff.

Pearson Early Learning Center

Please note that the Pearson Early Learning Center’s early childhood programs operate on a unique calendar. Communication regarding early childhood programs return to school and no school dates will be sent separately to families enrolled in Pearson Early Learning Center programs.

No School Days & Important Upcoming Dates

• Friday, January 15, 2021: No school, ALL K-12 students including Shakopee Online and IHD
• Monday, January 18, 2021: No school, ALL PreK-12 students and staff (includes Pearson Early Learning Center); observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Thursday, January 21 - Friday, January 22, 2021: No school for K-5 IHD students; transition planning days for elementary staff
  • Secondary students (grades 6-12) and staff ARE in session
  • Shakopee Online in grades K-12 ARE in session
• Monday, January 25, 2021: First day of in-person learning for ALL elementary IHD students in grades K-2
• Friday, January 29, 2021: No school ALL PreK-12 students, including Shakopee Online, Shakopee IHD and Pearson Early Learning Center; end of second quarter
• Monday, February 8, 2021: First day of in-person learning for ALL elementary IHD students in grades 3-5
• Friday, February 12, 2021: No school, ALL K-12 students including Shakopee Online and IHD
• Monday, February 15, 2021: No school, ALL PreK-12 students and staff (includes Pearson Early Learning Center); observance of Presidents Day
  
  An updated district calendar can be found here

Important Information to Follow


As we return to in-person learning for elementary students in the IHD program, there are new rules pertaining to mitigation and health safety protocols that will be employed by staff. There are also updates to transportation/busing routes, food services/student meals, YMCA school age child care and small group instruction. This information will be communicated in the coming days and week from both the district and elementary schools.

We are eager to continue to support our students in the safest way possible.

This press release was produced by the Shakopee Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.