CLICK HERE to download a pdf of this letter
October 25, 2021
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,
The Schenectady City School District is required by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to test unvaccinated staff and to offer testing to unvaccinated students whose parents or guardians consent to this weekly testing. We will be offering general COVID-19 surveillance (pool) testing at each of our schools to students in the near future to comply with this state requirement. We also hope to expand and provide point of care (diagnostic) testing for students who are displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
Surveillance (Pool) Testing (saliva)
General surveillance testing will be used to detect asymptomatic COVID-19 infections in students and unvaccinated staff using saliva pool tests. Click HERE to watch a short video.
Parents/Guardians must create a student profile on the web in order for your child to participate in pool testing. This will enable you to access test results. o Create a student profile HERE
Point of Care (Diagnostic) Testing (shallow nasal swab)
· Point of care testing will be conducted using BinaxNOW rapid antigen testing, administered through a shallow swab of the nose (not deep invasive type). This will provide a quick result in the case of a student or staff member who begins presenting symptoms while at school. Point of care testing is being implemented in accordance with NYSDOH regulations dated September 2, 2021 and will hopefully reduce the amount of time students are out of school. Click HERE to watch a short video.
We are asking parents, guardians & caregivers to please indicate their consent for these free tests. You may consent to one, both or none. If you prefer to submit the form electronically please return the Online Consent Form by Friday, November 12th.
We anticipate that both surveillance and diagnostic testing will begin in mid-November. Members of our school nursing staff will oversee all testing. Regular testing will help protect everyone against COVID-19. Thank you for your continued flexibility, resilience and patience as we work together to contain the spread of this virus.
Sincerely,
Andrea Tote-Freeman
Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services