POOLED TESTING UPDATE

Testing kits arrived today and we have been stocking up on PPE! The school-based teams have worked incredibly hard (and extremely efficiently) in order to establish their procedures for collecting the samples. We have developed our plans carefully and thoughtfully prioritized the students’ developmental levels giving the utmost consideration to individual student needs. Even with the best laid plans, please remember that pooled testing is a new venture for schools and there will surely be some unanticipated issues that arise so we ask for your patience, flexibility and understanding.

This program is completely optional and voluntary.

This newsletter will provide the following:

- Important Info

- A brief overview of the specimen collection procedure at each school (plans are subject to change as we roll out the program)

- Additional Resources

- FAQs

- The program will begin on Wednesday February 24th, with testing of participating staff and students at each school. We do expect some bumps along the road as this our first week and appreciate your support, patience, and flexibility.

Here is the link to sign up your student https://forms.gle/9Q14GVvML11UWzVA8

- Student and staff testing will officially begin the following Wednesday on February 24th. In order to be included for 02/24, consents needed to be received prior to 5pm on 2/18. If your consent was submitted after 5pm on 2/18, your child will begin participating in the program on 3rd of March . If you decide to have your child participate at a later date, you can submit your consent at anytime. Master lists will be updated every Thursday at 5pm for the following week’s collection. You are also able to withdraw your consent at any time. In order to withdraw your consent, please contact your students school office.

- Staff will be assisting our younger students as well as any other student who would like assistance but it is important for parents to review the process of collecting a nasal swab with their child. It is a very simple, shallow swab. Please review the following resources for additional information

*plans may be adjusted as needed

Stoughton High School

- Specimens will be collected for staff and students on Wednesday mornings. Once a

smooth flow is established, we anticipate that it will take students less than 1 minute to collect their specimen, turn it in and return to class.

- The pooled testing station will be set up in the cafeteria.

- Staff will remind students to go to the cafeteria if they are participating in the program.

- Specimens will be randomly assigned to pools.

- All health and safety protocols will be strictly followed.

O'Donnell Middle School

- Specimens will be collected for staff and students on Wednesday mornings beginning at 8:30 am and ending by 10:30 am. Once a smooth flow is established, we anticipate that it will take students less than 1 minute to collect their specimen, turn it in and return to class.

- The pooled testing station will be set up in the cafeteria.

- Students will be called to go to the cafeteria if they are participating in the program.

- Specimens will be randomly assigned to pools.

- All health and safety protocols will be strictly followed.

Elementary Schools

- Pool collection will occur at the start of the school day on Wednesdays in the classrooms.

- Staff will be available to assist students with the specimen collection as needed.

- Pool assignments will be by classroom and then by grade, this may change as additional assignments are received.

- Pool collection will be completed by 10:30am. Pools will be sealed following the collection and specimens will be leaving the building to be prepared for transport.

- All health & safety protocols will be strictly followed.

Jones Early Education Center

- Pool collection will occur between 9-10am on Wednesdays. Specimens will also be collected from consenting preschoolers who only attend the PM session at 12:15.

- Specimens will be collected outside of each classroom.

- Trained staff will be performing the specimen collection on the participating preschool students

- All health & safety protocols will be strictly followed.

(please click on the following links for more information)

VIDEO- Concentric by Gingko

VIDEO - Nasal Swab Demonstration

How is the test sample collected?

It is a self, anterior nasal swab. Please refer to the step by step guide (←click the link). Staff will assist young students in preschool, kindergarten and grade 1. Students in grades 2 and above are able to self-swab but staff will be available to assist as needed. This is NOT an invasive swab.

Should individuals who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 be included in pools?

Individuals who have previously tested positive in the past 90 days are not able to participate in pooled testing but are able to participate after 90 days (Please note that guidance on this point will soon be revised from 90 to 180 days after a positive individual test result).

As individuals are vaccinated, should they be included in pools?

Yes. Vaccinated individuals should still be included in pooled testing.

How long will it take to receive pooled test results?

In most cases, pooled test results will be received in 24-48 hours. As a reminder, students do not need to quarantine while awaiting pooled test results and should be in school unless presenting with symptoms.

How will parents be notified of pooled results?

You will receive an individual notification if your child is in a positive pool.

What will this pooled test tell me?

This test will confirm whether or not someone in a pool group is currently infected with COVID-19.

Positive - If a pool result is positive, individuals will be contacted and scheduled for reflex (follow up) testing. It is important that all positive pool group members are individually retested. This will be performed at the students school. Those in a positive pool are not required to isolate or quarantine unless they are symptomatic and/or their reflex test is positive.

Negative - A negative test result means that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was not detected in the sample.

Is there a potential for false positives?

False positives are possible but very rare

How will reflex testing be performed?

Reflex testing will be performed at the school, during normal school hours. Reflex testing will be performed using the BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen test.

Do we still need to wear masks, social distance, etc.?

The implementation of the pooled testing is intended to supplement, not replace, the other mitigation strategies currently in place (e.g. mask wearing, frequent hand washing, physical distancing). Using pooled testing in addition to following safety recommendations (both inside and outside of school) will help students and staff minimize health issues related to COVID-19, and help keep the school community safer.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact your student's school nurse.