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Board approves 1-year pilot to add an enhanced ninth-grade restart day to ease transition to high school
Summary
The Shakopee school board approved a one-year pilot to add an enhanced ninth-grade restart/orientation day before the official start of classes; supporters said it would help students and parents acclimate and staff will evaluate equity and participation after the pilot year.
The Shakopee Public School District Board voted May 12 to approve a one-year pilot giving ninth-graders an enhanced restart day before the official start of the school year, an orientation intended to help incoming students meet teachers, receive materials and acclimate to the high school building.
Board Member Peterson moved to approve the pilot and Board Member Brophy seconded; the motion passed unanimously after no further discussion was recorded.
District staff described the proposed pilot as an extended orientation day that would give freshmen the opportunity to collect learning materials, meet teachers and learn facility logistics ahead of the first academic day. Staff also said they would design activities to include students who are new to the district in grades 10
through 12 and to avoid excluding returning students. Trustees and presenters discussed the need to evaluate equity of access and how to make the day meaningful for older students who are not new to the district.
During discussion trustees asked whether one year would provide enough information; staff and board members said it should be tried once and evaluated. The board approved the one-year pilot and asked staff to report back on outcomes and recommended changes after the pilot.
