Dear Parents and Caregivers:
I want to keep my email short this week because the content is very important. We had two more classes quarantined this week and it always concerns me, and I am sure you, when our kids have to be home. We want to reduce the need to quarantine. We want kids in school because this is where they learn the best. It seems like the "Test To Stay" (TTS) program is our best shot. However, there are logistical concerns around this testing program. We can apply the Rapid Antigen COVID test and let our children stay in school, but if they have been exposed, they will need to be isolated during this rapid antigen testing period.
So we are considering implementing the Test To Stay (TTS) program as outlined in several email blasts to parents and caregivers. What we have learned recently is that this TTS program is complex and labor intensive. The testing kits will be provided by the state, but the administration of the tests has to be done at the school/community level with no added resources. We have been informed that the 15-second nose swab must be a continuous "swirl" and must go far enough up the nostril to get a good sample. It is described in a recent training as ”pushing the swab up the nostril until it meets resistance." This could be uncomfortable for a child. We have to determine if parents will administer the swab upon arrival or if we allow the students to come into an isolated classroom in the building and be swabbed during the day. There are challenges either way.
The testing has to occur in an isolated area to keep the other students in the building safe. If parents conduct the testing with their child, it will be done in their vehicle upon arrival at school. The specimen would then be safely brought into the building for analysis. A child could not ride the bus until the 7th day of testing. Testing would occur on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after initial exposure. If the school personnel does the testing, parents still need to provide transportation until the 7-day period is over. Students would be dropped off just a little later and escorted into their classroom. They would remain isolated like we did last year. On days 1, 3, 5, and 7, we would call students to a location to be tested. If positive, they would go home pending PCR test results. If they remain negative, they stay in school. No testing would occur on days 2, 4, and 6 of the isolation period.
We need to get feedback from parents before we make a final decision. You can find a video on the Test To Stay (TTS) program here. You can also get an idea of the swabbing technique here. The analysis of the test has to be done by our personnel, so home testing would not be allowed. After viewing these videos, please answer the following VERY SHORT survey found here. Please complete this survey by no later Wednesday, October 20, which will give us time to go over the results and determine our best course of action.
I hope everyone has a safe and healthy weekend.
David W. Baker
Superintendent
Windsor Southeast Supervisory Union