To the EPS Community,
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our students and staff safe and healthy, and our schools and classrooms open, the Everett Public Schools is working to provide free and voluntary Covid-19 testing program in our schools.
This testing initiative will be available to students or staff who show symptoms of Covid-19 at school, and for students who may have been exposed while in school but are not showing symptoms. This will allow us to follow the “Test and Stay” approach to 2021-2022, which is designed to keep as many students in class for as many days as possible.
The test is a quick, non-invasive nasal swab that is collected under the supervision of a fully trained individual.
To participate, students and staff must give the EPS their consent. Again, there are two instances in which we will administer the rapid test to those who have signed up for the program.
1. Symptomatic testing is used when a student or staff member is showing symptoms of COVID-19 during school hours. Some symptoms of the virus look identical to other illnesses like the cold or flu, and this test tells us whether a symptomatic student has COVID-19 or not. Results are available within 15 minutes. If a student has minimal symptoms and tests negative, they can remain in school.
2. Testing is also provided to allow students who have had close contact in school with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 to remain in school if they are not showing symptoms. Instead of needing to quarantine and miss school, these students will take a daily rapid test for five days and they can remain in school as long as the test results are negative.
To participate in the program, you must complete the online consent form on behalf of yourself (staff) or your student. You can access the quick and easy consent forms
HERE.
We thank you for your patience and assistance in helping us to stay safe and to limit the spread of Covid-19.
