UPDATE to COVID-19 Testing Program

UPDATE to COVID-19 Testing Program








February 3, 2022
Dear Caregivers,

At STGRSD, keeping your students safe and in school is our top priority. We are writing to let you know, in accordance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Public Health (DPH), our district is updating our COVID-19 Testing Program, effective February 28, 2022. We are opting into an at-home testing program that will increase testing of our participating students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. In addition to this new at-home antigen test option, we will start symptomatic testing at school. As part of this shift in the program, we are discontinuing Test&Stay and contact tracing for in-school close contacts. This new at-home testing opportunity is voluntary and only those who opt-in will receive tests. We strongly encourage you to fill out the opt-in form by February 9, 2022 to be able to participate prior to February break. If you have questions, please contact your school nurse. 

COVID-19 Testing Programs in our Schools. All participation is voluntary.
1. At-Home Rapid Antigen Testing
On Sunday’s, students, with assistance from caregivers, will self-administer a rapid COVID-19 antigen test that they receive from the District. 
Students with positive test results will stay home from school on Monday and results will be reported to the school nurse. School nurse will provide information about isolation and return to school.
To participate, you must opt in by completing the online form. By opting in, you will agree to review the training materials for test administration, report positive test results to your student’s school, and administer the tests according to STGRSD guidelines.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckQweHUUUyVouqQ2brzV4Rgjy8wbBIN_edd32LWczsoYvjBQ/viewform

2. Symptomatic Testing
Students who develop COVID-19 symptoms after arriving at school will be tested for COVID-19 by the school nurse using a rapid COVID-19 antigen test. Students who test positive must go home immediately. The school nurse will provide information about isolation and return to school. Students who test negative may return to class and stay in school. 
To participate, students must have a school testing consent form on file. This is the same consent that was required for our previous Test&Stay program. Students with consent on file do not need to sign up again. If a consent form is not on file, one can be completed online: 
https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=null

While the new testing program is voluntary for all students and staff, I encourage everyone to consider participating so that we can work together to keep as many students in school as possible. 
Please visit the links above to opt-in to the new program and complete consent forms. 

Sincerely, 
Jennifer Willard
Superintendent of Schools
Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District