District News: New Rapid Testing Program ASD-W

Title: New Rapid Testing Program ASD-W
Body: Dear Anglophone West School District Families,

 

I’m sending thismessage today to provide you with more details regarding the new rapid testingprogram for students, which will be rolled out this coming week. I also wish tolet you know that we have reorganized responsibilities within the district dueto the efforts required to respond to Covid-19. Our Director of Schools for theWoodstock area, Mr. Jay Colpitts, is now acting as our ASD-W Director of Covid-19. Therefore, in the future, messages may
come from him or me.

 

NEW RAPID TESTING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS

 

Last week we shared information from the Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development about a new Covid-19 rapid testing program available to
unvaccinated students if there is a confirmed case at a school. This program
allows unvaccinated students who have been identified as a close contact to potentially
return to school before the end of their isolation period.

 

WHEN DOES IT START?

 

This program will begin province-wide the week of October 12, 2021, and
will be offered when there is a confirmed case within the school.

 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

 

If a school has a confirmed Covid-19 case, all students identified as
close contacts will be provided with a letter from Public Health with
information about self-isolation or self-monitoring. This has been the process
since the beginning of the school year. Now, in addition to this, if a student
is is unvaccinated, parents will also receive information regarding the rapid
test program and how their child can participate. It is important to note that
this program is only available to unvaccinated students identified as close
contacts.

 

If a student is participating in rapid testing, parents will be notified
where and when to pick up their test kits. This will either be at the school or
at a location specified by the school.

 

Students using the rapid tests will be required to self-isolate for 24
hours unless otherwise advised by Public Health. Within that time frame, rapid
testing at home will begin. If a student produces two consecutive negative
rapid tests in 24 hours and has no symptoms, they can return to school the
following day with their negative tests. Negative tests are to be brought back
to school and shown to the school’s assigned personnel.

 

Students will be required to continue taking the rapid tests each day before
school for the duration of their original isolation period. In addition, each
day, negative tests will need to be brought to school and shown to the school’s
assigned personnel.

 

If a student receives a positive COVID-19 rapid test result or displays
ONE symptom, they must stay at home and contact Public Health.

 

Students who do not participate in the program will be required to stay
home and self-isolate for the entire length of isolating time determined by
Public Health.

 

School is incredibly important for the overall wellbeing of our students
- not only for learning but for their mental and physical health. We hope that
this program will allow students to experience fewer disruptions to schooling
and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and community.

 

We thank you for your support throughout this process.

 

David McTimoney, Superintendent

Expires:
Rollup Image:
Last Printed: 10/11/2021 6:00 PM
News Category: Regular News
Posted: Oct 11 2021, 5:27 PM
Creation: Oct 11 2021, 5:27 PM
CreatedText: Oct 11 2021

Created at 10/11/2021 5:27 PM by jennifer.read
Last modified at 10/11/2021 5:27 PM by jennifer.read
 
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