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Update to "Test to Stay" Protocol

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A translated version of this message is available below.
توجد نسخة مترجمة من هذه الرسالة أدناه.
A continuación encontrará una versión traducida de este mensaje.
May magagamit na nakasaling bersiyon ng mensaheng ito sa ibaba.
اس پیغام کا ترجمہ شدہ ورژن نیچے دستیاب ہے۔
Bản dịch của thông điệp này được trình bày bên dưới đây.

Arabic • Spanish • Tagalog • Urdu • Vietnamese


Beginning Monday, January 3, 2022, school protocols for students during the Test to Stay* period will change per new guidance from the Skokie Health Department.

We are now required to use the BinaxNOW shallow nasal swab test for students identified as close contacts and eligible for Test to Stay. 

Parents of eligible students will be informed by phone and offered the Test to Stay option. A signed consent is required to proceed with Test to Stay. Parents may decline Test to Stay, however, the students will be required to quarantine for 10 days.

Once a student is identified as a close contact and parent consent for Test to Stay is received, the school nurse will test the student using one SHIELD saliva test and three BinaxNOW nasal swabs as required by the Skokie Health Department. 

New protocols for students during the Test to Stay period are as follows beginning January 3rd:

  • Students will not be allowed to ride the school bus during the Test to Stay period.
  • Students will not be allowed to eat in the lunchroom; another space will be provided.
  • Students will not be allowed to participate in after-school activities.
  • Students will be allowed to participate in recess, but will need to maintain 6-feet social distancing.

The regular weekly SHIELD testing schedule (saliva sample) remains the same. Students who have been opted out of SHIELD testing are not eligible for Test to Stay. These students will be required to quarantine for 10 days and parents must monitor the child’s symptoms for 14 days.
 


*COVID "Test to Stay" is a method of regular testing and contact tracing that allows students to remain in school if they are in close contact with a classmate who tests positive for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) views Test to Stay as a “promising practice” when combined with other prevention strategies such as universal masking.