The PORTA District will offer regular Covid-19 testing for all students and staff this school year. The Program is offered by the University of Illinois “Shield” Group and the actual test is saliva based. This testing opportunity is not mandatory and we are offering the opportunity on a voluntary basis. We believe that regular testing will reduce the number of quarantine days for students who are in close contact with a positive case. Additionally, early detection of the Covid virus will reduce spread from close contacts in our school setting. As part of the testing program we are offering on a voluntary basis we will also be offering a “test to stay” program for those students and staff who have had close contacts and are following current Covid guidelines. If a student/staff member has a close contact and meets social distancing/masking requirements we will offer to test that person on days 1,3,5 and 7 using our local nursing staff. If the student/staff member presents as negative the person can stay in school. If at any time the person presents as Covid positive quarantine will be necessary, but that quarantine will revert back to the close contact day, meaning fewer quarantine days for that particular person.
We feel this program offers an opportunity to reduce the stress on families who are forced to quarantine and miss school and work. While this will not stop quarantine for students and staff it is our hope that we will be able to keep students who are Covid negative in school even if they have had a close contact with a positive case.
To reiterate, this program is voluntary and we are excited to offer such an opportunity to our families. Please read the attached “Shield” consent form and if you wish to participate please complete the form and return it to one of the district School offices by August 27, 2021. The PORTA School District will not administer any Covid-19 testing without written permission from a student's family or in the case of an emergency we will ask the parent to confirm with two staff members that it is their wish that their student be tested.
Shield Consent Form
We feel this program offers an opportunity to reduce the stress on families who are forced to quarantine and miss school and work. While this will not stop quarantine for students and staff it is our hope that we will be able to keep students who are Covid negative in school even if they have had a close contact with a positive case.
To reiterate, this program is voluntary and we are excited to offer such an opportunity to our families. Please read the attached “Shield” consent form and if you wish to participate please complete the form and return it to one of the district School offices by August 27, 2021. The PORTA School District will not administer any Covid-19 testing without written permission from a student's family or in the case of an emergency we will ask the parent to confirm with two staff members that it is their wish that their student be tested.
Shield Consent Form