COVID-19 Response and Resources

Tonight, the School Board approved Eden Prairie Schools’ plan to return to school in a hybrid model:

• Kindergarten and grade 1 students will return to school in person Monday through Friday in a socially-distanced environment.
• Students in grades 2-12 will return to school in an A/B cohort model. In this design, 50 percent of students would attend school on campus on Monday and Tuesday (group A); the other 50 percent would attend school on campus on Wednesday and Thursday (group B). Friday is a virtual learning day for grades 2-12, which will include live, real-time online connections with teachers. As much as possible, students from the same family will be assigned to the same group.
• For families that want a full-time online learning environment, Eden Prairie Schools offers EP Online, our K-12 online school. This option has been available for several years for select high school courses and it is now available districtwide. You can register now for EP Online.

Little Eagles Preschool

Little Eagles preschool is being offered for four and five days a week in a face-to-face format with smaller class sizes. Early Childhood Family Education is conducting parent/child classes virtually for the fall season. More information and program status is available on the Community Education website.

TASSEL
For TASSEL students in our 18-21 program, teachers and parents will work together to plan for each student’s individual needs. Parents/guardians will be contacted regarding specific plans for their student.

Eden Prairie Schools Planning
The district plan is based on staff and family input over the last five months, and on Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan. Eden Prairie Schools’ plan also was reviewed by the Minnesota Department of Health. District administration will continue to monitor COVID-19 data and consult with public health agencies throughout the school year.

With the direction for Aug. 31 set, school and district leaders will continue working with staff in all areas of school operations from teaching to transportation, and more, to be ready for students in three weeks. School-specific details will be communicated by principals and there will be weekly updates to families from Eden Prairie Schools.

This week, Eden Prairie Schools will announce its decision on how Eden Prairie Schools will return to school in the fall. Gov. Tim Walz announced on July 30 that Minnesota school districts use data on rates of COVID-19 cases in their county to make local decisions. School districts are expected to adjust how they deliver education throughout the school year based on this data.

Later today, the School Board will hear the district administration’s plans for this school year, including a recommendation to return on Aug. 31 in a hybrid model. This recommendation is based on district planning and on Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan. Eden Prairie Schools’ plan was reviewed by public health officials before submitting this recommendation to the board.

Eden Prairie Schools’ proposed hybrid model would have kindergarten and grade 1 students returning to school in person Monday through Friday in a socially distanced environment. Students in grades 2-12 would return in an A/B cohort model. In this design, 50 percent of students would attend school on campus on Monday and Tuesday (group A);  the other 50 percent would attend school on campus on Wednesday and Thursday (group B). Friday is a virtual learning day for grades 2-12, which will include live, real-time online connections with teachers. As much as possible, students from the same family would be assigned to the same group.

For families that want a full-time online school, Eden Prairie Schools is proud to offer EP Online, our K-12 online school. This option has been available for several years for select high school courses and it is now available districtwide. You can register now for EP Online.

The administration’s recommendation follows planning that was started before the end of the 2019-20 school year with family surveys about experiences with distance learning. Additional surveys about hybrid learning models have been conducted this summer. A 70-member team of teachers, and school and district leaders has met throughout this summer to discuss implementation of in-person and hybrid models. Bringing students back to our schools require additional social distance requirements and plans to meet the various needs of our learners..

A detailed administrative report is included in the School Board’s information for tonight’s meeting.

The School Board will meet at 6 p.m. at Eden Prairie High School’s Performing Arts Center with social distance between board members and district administration. Social distance and face coverings will be required for attendees of this meeting. We encourage interested members of our community to watch the live stream on YouTube.

The School Board will decide on this recommendation either tonight or on Aug. 13.

The following changes have been made:

• Classrooms have been modified to promote social distancing.
• Classroom calculations have been made to ensure 50 percent occupancy
• Kindergarten and first grade classes, which are meeting in person, may be moved to larger classrooms as needed to ensure social distancing requirements are met.
• Cafeteria seating has been modified to promote social distancing.
• Transaction barriers have been installed in some administrative areas and in speech and language and English Learner areas.
• Plexiglas shields will be available at EPHS for music classes.
• Foot pulls have been installed for opening restroom doors.
• Face shields will be available to all district staff and students
• Ventilation has been increased in the buildings following ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) standards.

You can find the cleaning procedures here.

Students will have a temperature check each day as they arrive at school.

Employees of Eden Prairie Schools will be required to complete health screening via an app each day. Staff have access to the same touch-less temperature screening equipment (scanners and handheld, touch-less thermometers) as students.

Anyone with a temperature of 100.4ºF or higher will visit the nurse for a more thorough screening. 

No. The district will provide all necessary cleaning supplies.

Each student has their own materials. No community materials will be used.

• Busses will run at no more than 50% capacity.
• All students and staff will be expected to wear face coverings.
• Parents are asked to drive their student(s) to school if possible to help us meet the 50% capacity requirement. The district is committed to providing transportation, regardless of how many parents are able to drive their own students.
• Given the capacity changes, routes may be different.
• Bus windows and roof transoms will be open, weather permitting, to increase air circulation.
• Busses will be unloaded one at a time when they arrive at school to help maintain social distancing.
• Classes will be dismissed by bus number from their classrooms to minimize traffic flow within the buildings.
• Larger schools may arrange for students to use multiple entrance and exits to get on their busses to help maintain social distance.
• Handrails and seat backs on busses will be cleaned between routes.

Eden Prairie Schools is following guidance from the state of Minnesota regarding social distancing in the hybrid model. All school and transportation operations have been redesigned to conform to these guidelines. Floor stickers and signage have been placed around school buildings to help students keep six feet of social distance. Classroom furniture has been reconfigured for a minimum of six feet of distance. Passing times are adjusted so that students can move around the school in a socially-distanced manner. Arrival and dismissal procedures are adjusted to support social distance and morning temperature checks.

Teachers will work with students in classes and individually, and with kindness and understanding, to reinforce the need to stay socially distant.

Case managers and building leadership will be working with families to adjust individual special education plans to be appropriate for the hybrid model and for the future possibility of a full distance learning model. District and building communication will be sent to every family who has a student accessing special education services to provide additional clarity.

Yes. Students are required to wear a face covering at all times, including on the bus. Eden Prairie Schools will provide each student with one (1) reusable face cover and one (1) reusable face shield. Disposable face covers will also be available.

Lunches will either be carried back to the classroom to be eaten at a student’s desk, or lunch may be eaten in the cafeteria if six feet of space between students can be created.

Yes. The needs of students served under an Individualized Education Plan or a 504 Plan will continue to be met. Adjustments may need to be made to how those services are delivered, but any necessary adjustments will be made in consultation with the family.

The screening process takes place before a student or teacher enters the building. Teachers and staff will be alerted to students who appear not to feel well and will ensure that they are sent to the Health Services office to have their symptoms assessed.

All Eden Prairie Schools employees complete a health screening questionnaire each work day.

Our hybrid model will continue to be staffed by our certified and non-certified staff at the same levels as if the school district was in a traditional learning environment. These staffing levels will allow the school district to provide continuity in our academic programming.

Before- and after-school child care will continue to be available through Eagle Zone. Child care for essential workers will continue to be provided.

We have posted information regarding online education for Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion in an FAQ.

This information was posted to families' Infinite Campus accounts on Aug. 17.

On Monday August 10, the School Board spent five hours listening, asking questions, and debating before making a decision to adopt the recommendation for the hybrid model. We are in a very complex situation and there are many factors to consider. A team of more than 70 teachers, administrators, and staff have worked on developing the plan over several months. The plans and options continued to evolve as more information and feasibilities were studied.

Parent input was collected at many points along the way: last spring, at the end of the school year, through a scientific survey, and through summer surveys responses including qualitative/open ended responses. In addition, we consulted with Hennepin County epidemiology, the Minnesota Department of Health, and our own Eden Prairie Schools Incident Command Team which has representation from the City of Eden Prairie, and includes experts from operational and educational fields.

Key drivers of the superintendent's recommendation included: available space, meeting the required social distancing needs, flexibility to move between models, transportation constraints, bell time changes, need to address the needs of our youngest learners, ability to provide necessary services to high school students, review of academic impacts and operational feasibility. These factors resulted in the recommendation for the K-1 / 2-12 Hybrid model and not the grade level prototype for which we had gathered feedback.

Our Return To Learning 2020 infographic was shared with families on Aug. 10 and has been revised with additional preparations that were added for the start of school on Sept. 2.

The Minnesota Department of Health published this guide for families to conduct a simple health screening at home.

Eden Prairie Schools is using this guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health to help our staff determine when students or employees need to stay home and for how long.

If you are having respiratory symptoms (cough OR sore throat OR difficulty breathing) and no test was done to confirm diagnosis, staff or students may return to school when these three (3) things have happened: 

1. Fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication AND 
2. Other symptoms have improved AND 
3. At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

If you had a lab confirmed COVID-19, staff or students may return when these three (3) things have happened: 

1. Fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication AND 
2. Other symptoms have improved AND 
3. At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Staff or students may return to school when these three (3) things have happened: 

1. Fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication AND 
2. Other symptoms have improved AND 
3. At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Eden Prairie Schools' COVID-19 Response Plan:

Identify

1. Follow screening procedures for students and staff.
2. Identify possible cases of COVID-19.

Isolate

1. Isolate the individual if in the school building.
2. Provide direction to the individual and/or family for when it will be safe for the individual to return based on public health guidelines.

Report

1. Report cases of COVID-19 to District COVID-19 Coordinators.
2. Report positive test cases of COVID-19 to the MN Department of Health.

Trace

1. Interview individual and review schedule to identify potential close contacts.
2. Trace who has been in close contact with the individual.

Communicate

1. Communicate to the school community that there has been a positive test case.
2. Communicate to those individuals/families who have been in close contact of the need to quarantine for 14 days.

Clean

1. Close impacted space for up to 24 hours and identify temporary alternative space.
2. Clean and disinfect space impacted.

For supporting details, see information from the Minnesota Department of Health. 

We do expect staff to report household cases to the Human Resources Department. District staff will provide direction and support for employees who have to care for someone with COVID-19.

Families should report a case in their household to their school's COVID-19 coordinator or a member of school administration. School or district staff will help families with guidance on learning at home and when their student can return to school.

There is a COVID-19 site coordinator at each location responsible for notifying the COVID-19 coordinators at the district level. Minnesota Department of Health will be notified immediately upon confirmation of a positive case within the school environment. MDH will then participate in the district process of contact tracing to determine those who have been in close contact. Close contact is defined as within 48 hours before the onset of symptoms and a person was less than six feet from the individual with COVID-19 for a period of 15 minutes or longer.

With the first COVID-19 case at a school, all families will be informed so they know district response procedures. No private data of students or families, or medical information, will be shared in a notification. Future notifications may be only for a classroom or just to specific individuals, depending on the situation. General information will be shared periodically in our school district community to remind everyone of best practices for health, safety and learning. 

When students are healthy enough to do so, they will attend class virtually each day.

Please contact our Technology Helpline at 952-975-7094 to schedule an appointment.

Eden Prairie Schools are a center for our community and we recognize the role we have in supporting public health. Our school nurses and administrators are instrumental in working with Hennepin County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Public Health to contain influenza and other infectious diseases. Eden Prairie Schools has excellent channels of communication across the district and with our families, and we will provide accurate and helpful information. In addition, Eden Prairie Schools has a long-standing working relationship with emergency management leaders at the City of Eden Prairie.

Eden Prairie Schools is serious about our responsibility to protect the privacy of our students, families and staff. Staff will share information about a student, including medical information, only with the student's legal guardian(s), and individuals defined in district policy as having a legitimate educational interest.

• On Fridays, families will have the option to receive additional non-perishable food through The Sheridan Story as supplies allow.

• If you need more food, contact PROP (952-937-9120) or the Family Resources Program.

If you are in a position to donate to others, we recommend contacting PROP or the food bank of your choice.

Personnel needed for direct care and public services are eligible for child care (see list of job categories below). Child care for all other families is currently unavailable following an executive order by the governor. Child care is organized to promote social distancing as much as possible. Sign up through ELEYO, our registration system. If you also need transportation, please complete this form.

Long-term Facility Personnel (full-time) 

• Group Homes 
• Residential Homes 
• Nursing Homes 
• Post-acute Care personnel (full-time) 
• Long-term hospital 
• In-patient rehabilitation 
• Home Health 
• Skilled nurses 

Emergency Medical Services personnel (full-time) 

• Paramedics 
• EMTs 
• Immediate supervisory staff 
• EMS Operators and dispatchers 

Law Enforcement personnel: 

• Full-time Police Officers and their supervisory staff 
• Full-time Sheriffs and their supervisory staff 
• Full-time State Patrol Officers and their supervisory staff 
• 911 Operators and dispatchers their supervisory staff 
• Full-time Investigators (at the discretion of their Agency Chief) 

Firefighter personnel: 

• Full-time firefighters 
• Paid on call duty crew 

Personnel providing Correctional services: 

Minnesota Correctional Facility Staff 

• Corrections officers 
• Correctional Lieutenants 
• Correctional Captains 
• Physical plant 
• Correctional facility case managers 
• Correctional facility educators and educational paraprofessionals 
• Wardens 
• Associate wardens 
• Correctional facility office assistants 
• Correctional facility nurses and supervisors 
• Correctional program therapists 
• Correctional facility IT staff 
• Correctional facility Human Resources staff 
• Correctional facility financial services personnel 
• Correctional facility records personnel 
• Correctional facility safety officers

Centralized Correctional Operations Personnel

• Medical director 
• Director of health services 
• Reentry Services personnel 
• Policy and legal services personnel 
• Offender transportation personnel 
• Centralized records personnel 
• Centralized human resources personnel 
• Investigators - Office of Special Investigations/Professional Accountability 
• Minnesota Department of Corrections personnel assigned to Incident Management Team 
• Minnesota Department of Corrections personnel assigned to Continuity of Operations team 
• Minnesota Department of Corrections government and community relations personnel 
• Minnesota Department of Corrections Hearings and Release Unit personnel 
• Minnesota Department of Corrections Behavioral Health Unit personnel 
• Minnesota Department of Corrections – Communications Unit 
• Minnesota Department of Corrections – Office of Commissioner 

Minnesota Correctional Supervision Services 

• State Probation officers and supervisors 
• State Probation agents and supervisors 
• State Supervised release agents and supervisors 
• State intensive supervised release agents and supervisors 
• County Probation officers and supervisors 
• County Probation agents and supervisors 
• County Supervised release agents and supervisors 
• County intensive supervised release agents and supervisors 

Public Health employees

• State and local public health employees directly supporting the response of COVID-19 and other infectious disease operations 
• State and local public health officials responding to imminent public health threats 
• Newborn health screeners 
• State and local public health lab priority services 
• County Emergency staff and managers supporting COVID-19 
• Emergency Management essential personnel supporting COVID-19 

Court Personnel 

•  Full-time Court personnel 

During the state and national response to COVID-19, families who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch may be eligible for certain programs. Families can apply anytime. An online application can be accessed through the Parent Portal. Once logged in, click on More, then Meal Benefits in the left sidebar. 

The application is also available to download, print and submit via mail.  A letter approving/denying benefits will be mailed to your home address after the application has been processed.

• Application for the 2019-20 school year:
  • Application for Educational Benefits - English
  • Application for Educational Benefits - Spanish
  • Application for Educational Benefits - Somali
  • Waiver of Confidentiality

For additional resources, see the Food support tab above.

Under guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments / Minnesota Test of Academic Skills will not be administered for the 2019-2020 school year.

Eden Prairie Schools Preparedness Plan

Eden Prairie Schools COVID-19 Cleaning Procedures

COVID-19 School Occupancy Loads

Eden Prairie Schools follows industry standards for educational institutions with our air handling systems. We have increased intake of fresh air and accelerated filter changes following guidance from Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health. Hospital-grade (13 MERV) filters will be installed in school ventilation systems.

For up to date information on COVID-19 in Minnesota go to the Minnesota Department of Health webpage.

For a helpful resource about talking with your children about COVID-19, read this article.

Call your doctor:  If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Learn more from the Centers for Disease Control.

Eden Prairie Schools follows guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health to assist with contact tracing if a staff member or student has a positive case of COVID-19. Close contact is defined as someone who, within 48 hours before the onset of symptoms, was less than six feet from the individual with COVID-19 for a period of 15 minutes or longer. With mandatory face coverings and social distancing, the risk of exposure to people who are not close contacts is no greater than the risk of contracting the virus in the general community.

Eden Prairie Schools will be deep cleaned by custodians while the district is closed and during distance learning. 

The practices recommended to prevent spread of COVID-19 are the same ones we use with influenza and the common cold:

• Practice social distancing.
• Wash hands with warm water and soap. Our students are given time to wash their hands regularly throughout the school day. Hand sanitizer is an acceptable alternative and is effective against COVID-19.
• Cover your cough: Cough into your sleeve or elbow and not your hands.
• Stay home if you or your family have symptoms of illness. Continue to report absences at each school's attendance line.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your nose, eyes and mouth.
• Do not share water bottles, cups/glasses, food, lip balm, etc.
• Clean frequently-used surfaces (door handles, countertops, etc.)

Public health departments are identifying people who have traveled and may have been exposed to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is issuing advisories for travel related to COVID-19. The Minnesota Department of Health has been clear that school staff are not responsible for investigating when and where people have traveled.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) is a viral respiratory illness with symptoms ranging from a mild cold to severe illness. Eden Prairie Schools is closely monitoring information and recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). You can find comprehensive information at the MDH COVID-19 webpage. If you have additional questions about the virus, please contact the MDH COVID-19 Hotline at 651-201-3920 Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Eden Prairie Schools Will Remain in Distance Learning the Rest of the School Year

Governor Tim Walz announced today that K-12 schools would remain in distance learning. For Eden Prairie Schools, that is through June 9 for K-11 students and June 4 for seniors. Eden Prairie Schools is living out its mission to inspire each student through these unprecedented times. Our teachers and staff will continue to refine distance learning so that each student is supported in personalized learning. We will continue to gather student and family feedback to help us improve and to maintain the educational excellence for which Eden Prairie is known. The success of our schools is due to the tremendous support of our community. Thank you.

May 1 and 4 will be non-student contact days, as ordered by the governor. These days will be used by teachers and staff to prepare for the rest of the school year. We will continue to follow our district calendar: May 8 is a scheduled non-school day and May 25 is Memorial Day. As alternate plans are developed around end-of-year events, schools will provide you with updates.

Collecting items from schools
Look for an update from your principal with a schedule on when and how to collect personal items from school. We will take precautions for social distancing, but we will make sure students have time to collect their items. 

Meal support
Meals from Eden Prairie Schools are distributed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They are for any child that resides in Eden Prairie. We encourage participation and there is no economic requirement to receive meals and may be a relief during this time. Please review our current distribution schedule. Look for an update next week with dates and locations for the remainder of the school year.

Mental health and wellness
We know that these times can be stressful. Please know there are mental health supports for students and community resources for individuals and families.

Technology support & devices over the summer
As your student continues to use their device for distance learning, please take advantage of support that is available by calling 952-975-7094 or helpline@edenpr.org.

Students in grades K-11 can keep their district-issued device over the summer. Look for more information as we near the end of the year with details to include technology support over the summer and plans for 12th grade students to return their devices.

Thank you again for all you are doing to support your students during this time. The partnership between families and district staff makes me proud to be a part of this community. 

Dr. Josh Swanson
Superintendent

Distance learning for Eden Prairie Schools began April 7 and will continue through at least May 4. Most Eden Prairie Schools employees will be working from home through at least May 4, following the governor's stay-at-home order.

Child care is available to certain employees involved in the response to COVID-19.

All children ages 18 and under residing in Eden Prairie can receive meals from our Nutrition Services Department. This includes students in TASSEL. For additional information on food support see the Food support and Free/reduced-price lunch benefits sections below.

Preschool, ECFE and Community Education programs are suspended until further notice.

All after-school activities and activities K-12 are suspended until further notice. Additional information on high school activities is from the Minnesota State High School League.

We are sharing details with you following the stay-at-home order issued by the Governor today. Eden Prairie Schools has been preparing for this possibility. We will continue to provide nutrition services. Childcare will be open for our emergency and healthcare workers. Except for these services, our buildings will be closed to the public effective tomorrow, March 26.

Our employees will be working from home. You will be able to contact them via phone, email or online service. If you know the employee you need to contact, email is preferred; use our staff directory. Staff may also be reached by phone and will respond promptly to your voicemail message. You may also browse by district department and our schools and programs. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, reach us at communications@edenpr.org and we will route your request.

Our staff are prepared and look forward to the start of distance learning on April 7, which under the executive order will continue through at least May 4. You will continue to hear from principals and teachers as we approach that date.

You should know that nutrition service is available to every child residing in Eden Prairie, even if they are not enrolled in Eden Prairie Schools. Our food program during this time is available to everyone regardless of your economic status. The meals are convenient, they meet federal nutrition standards and are ready for you to pick up at multiple locations this Friday. See www.edenpr.org/covid19 for details.

Thank you for your continued support as we work through this time together as a community.
 

Eden Prairie Schools Families,

Eden Prairie Schools remain open and in daily operation. We continue to provide child care and nutrition services, but to protect the health of our students, staff and community, we are limiting public access to our buildings. We will provide services via telephone and electronically during this time and, only when necessary, we will schedule visits on an appointment basis. Any service that requires people to be together in-person will be only by appointment, with arrangements made for appropriate social distancing.

Child care will continue to be provided for employees identified as Tier 1 emergency workers by the state of Minnesota. We need to maintain the safest environment possible for the children of our emergency and healthcare workers, and for our staff.

Nutrition Services is providing meals to all children ages 18 and under, please review our meal distribution plan (at this page go to Eden Prairie Schools Resources > Food support). Teachers are currently planning for distance learning to begin April 7.

Eden Prairie Schools’ previously scheduled spring break is March 30 through April 6. Look for messages from your principals and teachers this week with more details.

Daily school district services will continue and employees will be working during regular business hours for enrollment, school administration, business services, human resources, technology support and to support our students, teachers and families.

How to contact us

If you know the employee you need to contact, email is preferred; use our staff directory. Staff may also be reached by phone, and you may need to leave a voice message. You may also browse by district department and our schools and programs. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, reach us at communciations@edenpr.org and we will route your request.

Contact Technology Help Desk

Our iLearn@EP parent/guardian Help Line is 952-975-7094 | helpline@edenpr.org

Dear Eden Prairie Schools Community,

This week, the closing of schools and the turn to preparations for distance learning changed plans for our Eden Prairie families. Thankfully, due to the strong and continued support of the community, Eden Prairie Schools is already being recognized as a leader with our preparations for distance learning. We are grateful for our staff who are working hard to ensure continuity of education for our students. Parents and guardians are having to make adjustments as well. Your patience and support has been critical and we are deeply thankful for all you are doing. The School Board is resolute in our support for all the work across Eden Prairie Schools during this time, and for the protections required to keep our community as safe as possible from COVID-19.

We are a strong community and we have already received offers of help and support from across our city. How we come together to support each other is one of the many reasons Eden Prairie is a remarkable place to live.

The Eden Prairie Schools Board of Directors is making necessary adjustments to how we meet and make decisions. Our first priority is to ensure operation of the district continues smoothly. We are following direction from the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health to practice social distancing. In accordance with emergency guidelines outlined in Minnesota Statute 13D.04, upcoming board meetings will be conducted virtually. Our work as a board will focus on items essential to district operations. As always, recordings of board meetings will be posted publicly.

Thank you for your understanding and your continued support of Eden Prairie Schools. 

Elaine Larabee
Chair, Eden Prairie Schools Board of Directors

Dear Eden Prairie Schools Families,

Students will not attend school through March 27 and our spring break is scheduled through April 6. We anticipate distance learning could begin on April 7. Schools will be open this week to help you transition to distance learning. The next two weeks are planning time for school districts, as specified in Minnesota Executive Order 20-02 and following direction from the Minnesota Department of Education. Here are some important things to know.

• Child care will be available to parents/guardians who are involved in medical and emergency response. A separate email message regarding child care availability is being sent to families with children ages 5-12.

• Secondary schools will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday this week to allow students to pick up devices, textbooks, items from lockers and medication from the nurse’s office.

• Elementary schools will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday this week to pick up devices, textbooks, items from classrooms and medication from the nurse’s office. 

• Devices for K-2 students will be distributed on Tuesday at each elementary school.

• Grab-and-go breakfast and lunch will be provided Monday-Friday through March 27 for Eagle Zone participant, and to families eligible for free or reduced-price lunch at each school site from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dear Eden Prairie Schools Employees,

School is closed for Eden Prairie students tomorrow through March 27, followed by spring break the next week. As we continue planning to serve Eden Prairie students and families, all employees should report to work on-site tomorrow and Tuesday. If you have a medically fragile condition or child care concerns, please contact your supervisor. Minnesota Executive Order 20-02 is clear that district staff are required to report to work to help with our planning and preparedness.

We anticipate Eden Prairie Schools could move to distance learning on April 7, after our spring break. The next two days are needed to start this transition and to support our families.

We will be communicating the following information to families later today:

• Child care will be available through Eagle Zone to parents/guardians who are involved in medical and emergency response. This was specifically outlined in the Executive Order.

• Secondary schools will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday to allow students to pick up devices, textbooks, items from lockers and medication from the nurse’s office.

• Elementary schools will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, to pick up devices, textbooks, items from classrooms and medication from the nurse’s office. 

• Devices for K-2 students will be distributed Tuesday through Thursday at each elementary school.

• Grab-and-go breakfast and lunch will be provided Monday-Friday through March 27 for Eagle Zone participants, and to families eligible for free or reduced-price lunch at each school site from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dear Eden Prairie Schools Families,

As you may have heard, the governor today signed an executive order calling for a peacetime state of emergency in Minnesota to help respond to COVID-19. This caps off a week that may have you or someone you know feeling uneasy about what’s to come. As you head into the weekend, I want to reiterate our district’s commitment to keep every student safe, and to do our part to protect the public health. We have already taken a number of steps that are outlined in our COVID-19 webpage.

During the governor’s press conference today, Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm reiterated the state’s direction that schools do not need to close. Although we still have no known cases in Eden Prairie, we also know closing in the future remains a possibility. We are preparing devices and working with our staff if we need to move to distance learning in Eden Prairie Schools.

With the amount of uncertainty in our lives right now, I encourage you to focus on a few positive traits of character that are taught in Eden Prairie Schools: good communication and collaboration means reaching out when someone needs help. Being creative can help us look for ways to improve a difficult situation. And critical thinking helps us consider whether the information we’re hearing is actually useful, or is it just sensational?

We are committed to continuing to communicate with our families and will be sharing more information next week as our schools make further adjustments based on direction provided in the governor’s executive order. Have a good weekend and thank you for your continued support for Eden Prairie Schools.

Dr. Josh Swanson
Superintendent
 

Dear Eden Prairie Schools Families,

Eden Prairie Schools officials have been following updates about COVID-19 (coronavirus). As of today, no confirmed cases have been reported in Minnesota. We have prepared for disease outbreaks in the past and district administrators are updating our response plans. Our school nurses regularly work with Hennepin County Public Health officials; the nurses are a key contact to monitor and prevent influenza. We have established regular communication with the Minnesota Department of Health for updates on COVID-19.

Health officials do not recommend any changes to daily school operation or school-sponsored events. Their message is clear and consistent: The precautions we take during every cold and flu season remain our best practices.

Wash hands with warm water and soap. The hand washing procedures we teach in school remain the best way to prevent the spread of any illness. Our students are given time to wash their hands regularly throughout the school day.

• Cover your cough: Cough into your sleeve or elbow and not your hands.
• Avoid touching your face, especially your nose, eyes and mouth.
• Do not share water bottles, cups/glasses, food, lip balm, etc.
• Students who do not feel well should stay home from school. Each school has an attendance line to report absences.
• Families can review district health information, including guidelines on how long students should remain at home after a common illness.
• People who are traveling should review the Centers for Disease Control’s travel advisories.
• Anxiety and worry can actually make us more susceptible to routine illnesses. Take reasonable steps: eat well, get appropriate sleep, practice good hygiene, clean high-touch surfaces like door knobs, countertops, etc. Then be confident you are taking the right steps to stay healthy.

Josh Swanson, Ed.D.
Superintendent