Parents and Guardians
On March 1, 2021, the school district will be prepared to provide the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test. New guidance from Oregon Department of Education requires schools to test students and staff while operating in a On Site Hybrid instructional model outside the advisory metrics. Students and staff who develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while at school will be tested as long as the office has received a signed consent form. The testing may be used to inform you and return to school. Symptoms include cough, fever (temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher) or chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or a new loss of taste and smell. Note that muscle pain, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, new nasal congestion, and runny nose are also symptoms often associated with COVID-19. Any symptomatic student who is tested (even if the test is negative) must leave school immediately and not return until allowed by RSSL guidance. Students or staff with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should not be asked to come to school for COVD-19 ( testing if symptoms develop while not at school. Under no circumstances should an individual with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 be asked to return to school specifically for testing alone.
A consent form is currently on its way to you for permission to perform the test. This form means you provide consent to allow testing of your student(s) for COVID-19 by shallow nose swab during the 2020-2021 school year. The test is self-administered under trained supervision. COVID-19 testing may be offered to students in two circumstances:
- If my student(s) develop(s) new symptoms of COVID-19 while at school;
- If my student(s) is exposed to COVDI-19 in a school group and the local public health department recommends testing.
If you have any questions or concerns you may contact your schools main office.