Eden Prairie Schools (EPS) students, teachers, and staff are returning to school this week.
K-9 students had their first day on Tuesday, Sep.6. Due to Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) hosting ninth grade orientation that day, students in grades 10-12 began a day later on Wednesday, Sep. 7.
Last year saw major changes including new school start times, sixth graders moving to CMS, and Pre-K moving to the elementary schools. The school community also dealt with many challenges and unknowns over the past two years as it navigated the pandemic.
After these changes and challenges, there are high hopes that this year will feel more “normal.” Judging by the smiling faces of these EPS students and staff, it seems like things are off to a great start.
Smiilng faces on the first day of school at CMS. 
A big day for the Hennen family: EPHS teachers Dan and Laurie Hennen smile with their son Alex, who has just joined EPHS as a chemistry teacher. Photo courtesy of Dan Hennen 
CMS 6th grader David Bharucha and his furry friend are all smiles on the first day of school. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Bharucha 
Smiling for the camera at Eden Lake. 
Luqman (second grade) and Zayn (kindergarten) are ready to start the new school year at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion. Photo courtesy of Amina Adeyemi 
A big smile on the first day of fifth grade from Eden Lake Elementary student Archisha Tipparaju. Photo courtesy of Manjusha Kondepudi 
CMS sixth grader Kennedy Schumacher and her sister, EPHS ninth grader Ella Schumacher, are up bright and early for their first day of school. Photo courtesy of Jill Schumacher 
Ryder Sandberg is ready to start first grade at Forest Hills Elementary. Photo courtesy of Chrissy Evans 
Oak Point student Riann Bajaj Is excited to begin first grade. Photo courtesy of Nehmat Munjal 
EPHS ninth grader Parker Johnson and his sister Hadley Johnson, a CMS sixth grader. Photo courtesy of Jana Johnson 
Mara Stainbrook is ready to start kindergarten at Eden Lake Elementary. Photo courtesy of Laila Stainbrook 
Two Prairie View students and one CMS student are ready to start the new school year. Photo courtesy of students’ parent 
These smiling sisters share a hug before their first day back to EP schools. Photo courtesy of students’ parent
Latest EPS Safe Learning Plan
Over the past two years, EPS’ Safe Learning Plan has been regularly updated to reflect changes in COVID-19 protocols. Here is the newest guidance for EPS staff and students, which will soon be available on the district’s website.
Isolation procedures
When staff members and students test positive for COVID-19, the guidance is to:
- Stay home for five days (Day 0 is the first day of symptoms or the day of a positive COVID-19 test, whichever comes first).
- If you have no fever without fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours and your symptoms improve after five days, you can return to school.
- Upon returning to school, you must wear a well-fitted face covering for five additional days with the option to reduce the length of face covering use per the CDC guidelines.
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
Face coverings
Students or staff may choose to wear face coverings at Eden Prairie Schools. If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they should follow the masking guidance outlined in isolation procedures.
Vaccinations:
If students or staff are interested in accessing COVID-19 vaccinations, information can be found on the Minnesota COVID-19 Response Webpage.
Keep your students home if they have symptoms of illness.
If your child is sick, please keep them home until they are well. For information on COVID-19 symptoms, see CDC COVID-19 Symptoms.
Quarantine procedures
The district is not contract tracing or recommending quarantine for COVID-19 exposures at this time. This decision is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The district will continue to review and adjust as needed.
Editor’s Note: All photos are courtesy of Eden Prairie Schools unless otherwise noted.
Oak Point Elementary Principal Chris Rogers greeting students getting out of cars on the first day of school. 
First day of school at Central Middle School. 
EP School Board member Debjyoti “DD” Dwivedy greeting students Tuesday at Central Middle School. 
Eden Prairie School Board member Kim Ross greeting students during the first day of school.