Superintendent’s Update ~ DESE/DPH Covid-19 Testing Program

Below is the information I sent last Friday about The new DESE/DPH COVID-19 Testing Program.  I hope that by sending this as a stand-alone item more staff and students will sign up for the new testing program.

This program will provide a test kit to every staff or student Pre-K through twelfth grade who opts into the program and is in addition to our pooled and symptomatic testing programs. For students under the age of 18, a parent must complete the opt-in form, anyone over 18 can opt-in themselves. The at-home style antigen test kits provide two tests, one to be used each week for a two-week period. Everyone who opts in will receive a new kit every two weeks. DESE has told us that the program is guaranteed through April 2022. We began the program this week by offering the tests to our staff. Staff signed up using the opt-in Google form provided to them and will receive their kits today on Friday, January 28, 2022.

If you would like to opt-in to the program please click here

At-Home Antigen Test Opt-In Google Form

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We will distribute tests each week on a rotating basis. One week we will provide kits to staff, the next week we will provide kits to students.

Please sign up by Monday afternoon by 5 PM, to set our distribution lists for each school.  The home tests are meant to offset the testing days done at school so that there are two days a week of testing monitoring being done.

DESE Recommended Testing Schedule 

 

 

 

 

It is important to note that this program is available to all who opt-in regardless of whether you are enrolled in pooled testing or not. The link to the opt-in form will allow you access to a two-week (at a time) supply of in-home antigen COVID-19 tests. These tests will augment our pooled tests giving each of us the opportunity to have two COVID-19 tests per week.

Below is the distribution schedule of tests for all those who have signed up:

This the week of January 31, 2022 Tests kits will be sent home with students on the following days: 

  • BHS students will receive kits on Wednesday
  • JGMS students will receive kits on Thursday
  • Davis School and Lane School students will receive kits on Thursday
  • The week of February 7th tests kits will be distributed to staff
  • The week of February 14th test kits will be distributed to staff and students
  • The week of February 21th no deliveries (February Vacation Week)
  • The week of February test kits will be delivered to staff and students

To be clear, both programs are voluntary and both are independent of one another. You can sign up for one or both. The at-home test should be used weekly, regardless of whether you have symptoms. If your child tests positive on an at-home antigen test, they should stay home and you are asked to inform your school nurse of the positive result.

As always, thank you for your patience, your participation, and your continued commitment to our schools.
Stay positive, test negative!

 

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