New Test to Stay Protocols/Parent Letter 9/17/2021
9/17/2021
Dear Roxana Families,
We are so proud of our students and staff during these first four weeks of school for following the guidelines and procedures set in place in the Roxana Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan.
We take the health and safety of our students and their families very seriously. We continually analyze our data and the trends across the state. As a result, we are adding a Test to Stay option for students identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case in addition to steps to screen for the virus and prevent its spread. Our district will be using Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen tests provided by the federal government. We will only test with your consent and students will be tested every other day for the required period. A consent form will be provided if you choose for your child to participate in this option.
Test to Stay Procedure Overview for Student Close Contacts
What is the test?
Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen is the current test being used. If your child is a close contact and you consent, your child will receive a free BinaxNOW rapid test for the COVID-19 virus. Collecting a specimen for testing involves using a shallow swab, similar to a Q-Tip, placed inside the tip of the nose. A trained school nurse or the district athletic trainer will collect the specimen and will oversee the process. Results take approximately 15 minutes.
What should I do when I receive my child’s test results?
If your child tests positive for the virus:
Your child will be moved to a room away from other students and staff until you can pick him/her up. We ask that you keep your child home until the infection period has ended (typically, after symptoms improve and at least 10 days from the date symptoms first appear).
If your child tests negative for the virus:
The virus was not found in the specimen tested and your child may continue to attend school without interruption.
Symptomatic Exclusion
Symptomatic children and any household siblings will continue to be excluded with remote learning provided.
Everyone’s efforts to monitor symptoms and keep children at home when they are ill is greatly appreciated. If your child exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, he/she and any household members must stay home following the guidelines as outlined in the Symptomatic Exclusion Guidance regardless of vaccination status.
Future Shield Saliva Testing
An additional mitigation strategy is currently being coordinated to utilize the saliva-based COVID Shield Test developed for school district students and staff. This program will allow students to participate in an optional weekly surveillance test and will provide a highly reliable, easily administered Test to Stay option that is more sustainable for our nursing team. Shield testing will tentatively be available in October. At that time, more detailed information will be provided.
Food Service Update
We are currently experiencing delays and shortages in our food service deliveries. There may be substitutions from the published menus.
Transportation Update
Our transportation department is experiencing a shortage of bus drivers and is creatively problem solving to minimize any impact for our families.
Family Resources Available
We now have parent advocates who are working with staff and families to provide additional support. The videos below provide an introduction and an overview of their services at each campus.
Our staff is committed to ensuring that our students continue to attend school in-person and experience school days that are as close to normal as possible while meeting the needs of remote learning when necessary. Your patience, understanding and support are greatly appreciated. Students’ progress during these first four weeks is reason to celebrate. We are blessed to have an amazing Roxana school family and community!
Warm regards,
Debra K. Kreutztrager, Superintendent
