2020-2021 Technical Notes

If the situation occurs that schools need to be closed due to the COVID-19 virus, Shakopee Public Schools intends to provide instruction to students in all grades via distance learning. The soonest this would occur is Monday, April 6th (i.e. after Spring Break).

Implementing distance learning will require the full cooperation of students, teachers, and parents to make the instruction and learning meaningful and in compliance with the full expectations of Minnesota Statutes. 

If you or a designated person could stop by the school to pick up the iPad, laptop and/or additional resources provided to support learning, school offices will be open during regular school hours between now and March 20th.  If someone other than you is coming to pick up the device, please contact the school office ahead of time to let them know who will be picking up the device. If you are unable to pick up the device from the school and need to make arrangements for drop-off, please call the school office to let them know.

The district also has a limited number of wireless hotspots that can be made available for households that do not have wireless Internet access.  Let the school office know if you would like to request a wireless hotspot.

It is intended that the distance learning model of delivery will continue to provide students with new learning while sustaining previous learning. Therefore, the goal will be to connect learning to the regular instruction that has been occurring. Tasks will be meaningful and important to student learning goals and outcomes.  

• Teachers will focus on essential learning.  This does not mean that students will be working on academics for the same duration of time as a face-to-face school day.
• Teachers will focus on setting up routines and structures to support students/families.
• Teachers will strive to provide best practice instruction that meets the needs of all learners to the extent possible. 
• Teachers will leverage digital tools students are using as part of their regular instruction (i.e., Canvas, Seesaw, apps, etc).
• Teachers will be available to students during the regular school day.  Please note, on Wednesdays from 1-3pm, teachers will be meeting virtually in online PLCs, so access during this time will be limited.

Although students in PreK have experience with iPads, the District does not have enough devices available to provide every student an iPad for home use.  A Combination of online/web-based and offline resources will be provided to support our early learners.  

Our distance learning model will follow these guidelines:

1. PreK activities will include 30-45 minutes of instructional learning per day, followed by daily recommended schedules for continued learning.
2. Main communication regarding learning activities will be provided via email/Seesaw.

For Grades K-5, the District will provide students with an iPad for Distance Learning. We prefer students use a district device because:

• Students are assigned the device during the school year and are familiar with it.
• District devices continue to be filtered at home just as they are at school.
• Devices are already set up for most of the apps and accounts that we would hope to have students use during this time.
• It will be easier for the district to provide tech support on a district device as opposed to a personal device.

Our distance learning model will include a combination of online resources and assignments that are not technology-based, and will follow these guidelines:

1. Kindergarten will include 45-60 minutes of instructional learning per day, followed by daily recommended schedules.
2. First and Second Grade will include 1-2 hours of instructional learning per day, followed by daily recommended schedules for continued learning.
3. Third Grade will include 1.5 - 2.5 hours of instructional learning per day, followed by daily recommended schedules for continued learning.
4. Fourth and Fifth Grade will include 2 - 3 hours of instructional learning per day, followed by daily recommended schedules for continued learning..
5. Main communication regarding learning activities will be provided via email/Seesaw.
6. Teachers will post daily assignments by 9am.
7. Expected feedback to students should be 2x/week.

For Grades 6-12, the District provides students with iPads or laptops for Distance Learning. 

Our distance learning model will be provided online via Canvas, and will follow these guidelines:

1. Grades 6-8 will include no more than 30 minutes per class of instructional learning per day.
2. Grades 9-12 will include no more than 60 minutes per class of instructional learning per day.
3. Teachers will post daily assignments by 9am.
4. Expected feedback to students should be 2x/week.

Despite the fact that many students with IEPs use iPads to support learning, there will be modifications in order to implement appropriate instructional strategies that comply with IEPs.  Specialized Service staff will work with classroom teachers to support students that need modifications/accommodations to support learning in addition to providing instructional activities aligned with current IEP goals, services, and related services.  Specialized Service staff will work with students and families on assistive technology needs.

As much as possible, service delivery in distance learning will reflect and align with the service students receive in the classroom. For example, co-taught classrooms will continue to be co-taught and students will receive support and feedback from the EL teacher along with the classroom teacher.

Distance Learning will take the place of regular schooling and therefore, attendance is important. As such, school districts will be expected to monitor and report student daily attendance to the State of MN.

If a teacher is unable to provide instruction for the day, you will receive communication from your child’s teacher regarding the absence. 

E-mail: parenthelp@shakopee.k12.mn.us

This goes to our help desk system.  Please provide as much detail as you can about the issue.  

Phone: (952) 697-8701

This is not a direct line, but you can leave a voicemail and we will get back to you.