MHHS BinaxNOW Covid-19 Testing
Hello Mt. Hope Students and Families,
The Bristol Warren Regional School District (BWRSD) takes the health and safety of our students and their families very seriously. As such, in addition to screening protocols, and mask and social distancing requirements, we are adding a voluntary K-12 COVID-19 testing program for students and staff. This program uses BinaxNOW tests provided by the federal government.
Testing will only be completed with parent/guardian (for students) or staff consent. A COVID-19 Testing Consent Form is located in Aspen under the “Tasks'' widget area (similar to the “Covid Daily Student/Staff Screening”) .
This Consent Form only needs to be completed once for parents/guardians and staff to agree to periodic testing for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
This testing is required for all student athletes and coaches. For all other students and staff, It is optional, but strongly encouraged to help us keep our schools as healthy and safe as possible.
What is the test?
The BinaxNOW COVID-19 test involves using a swab placed inside the tip of the nose to collect a specimen for testing. For students under the age of 12, a trained COVID-19 test facilitator will conduct the swab test. Students ages 12 and older will be assisted through the process by a trained test facilitator.
Students athletes and coaches will be tested weekly, beginning next week (see details in the section below). All other students and staff will be tested once every 1-2 weeks beginning the first two weeks in February. PLEASE NOTE: Students or staff who have tested positive within the last 90 days of a BinaxNOW test date will not be tested.
Staff or parents/guardians will only be notified by the school nurse if there is a positive test result. Results will then be reported to the RIDOH. Students who test positive will be immediately taken to an isolation room and parents/guardians will be notified to pick up the student within the hour. Parents/guardians should contact their primary care physician, and schedule a test at K-12 portal.ri.gov. Staff who test positive will immediately be sent home and should also contact their primary care physician and schedule a test at K-12 portal.ri.gov.
The BinaxNOW test is only for individuals who are asymptomatic (not showing symptoms). Staff or students who are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 should remain home, contact their primary care physician, and schedule a test at K-12 portal.ri.gov.
Disclaimer:
While we realize precautions will be taken for the safety of students, please understand that neither the test facilitator nor the BWRSD, nor any of its committee members, officers, or employees are liable for any accident or injuries that may occur to your child or yourself (if you are a student age 18 or older), as a result of agreeing to the test.
If you have questions regarding the BinaxNOW testing program, please contact Ellen Estrella, MHHS School Nurse Teacher, (ellen.estrella@bwrsd.org), Robert Hanlon, Assistant Principal (robert.hanlon@bwrsd.org), or Dr. DiBiase, Principal, (deborah.dibiase@bwrsd.org).
Thank you!
MHHS Student Athletes BinaxNOW Testing Procedures and Schedule
BinaxNOW Covid-19 Testing for Student Athletes
Binax testing for student athletes is mandatory and will take place every Monday in the school gym beginning on February 1, 2021, and running through the end of the winter sports season with the exception of February 15, which is Presidents’ Day. NOTE: If there is a Snow Day on Monday, February 1, Binax testing will be rescheduled for Monday, February 8th.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS will need to complete a COVID-19 Testing Consent Form for their student athlete which is located in Aspen under the “Tasks'' widget area (similar to the “Covid Daily Student/Staff Screening”). If you are unable to access Aspen a copy of the consent form can be found here or attached below. PLEASE NOTE: We will not test any student who does not have a consent form on file.
This Consent Form only needs to be completed once for parents/guardians and staff to agree to periodic testing for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
Student athletes will be tested in groups of approximately 15, assigned based on their team in 15 minute increments. (SEE SCHEDULE BELOW or here). When arriving at the school, please park in the senior lot and enter the school at the gym door facing the lot. (If parents are driving their students, please remain in your vehicle). Student athletes will proceed to the registration table in the gym lobby and check in before entering the gym.
Inside the gym, athletes will receive their Binax swab and self swab under direction of a school facilitator (School nurse, or other trained BWRSD Staff). The test will be collected and the student athlete will be dismissed through the other gym exit, proceed out the main glass lobby doors, and back out to their vehicle.
School staff will monitor the test card for results. Athletes and their families will only be contacted in the event of a positive test result.
There will be at least 6 Mt. Hope staff members present throughout the testing process: 1 registrar, 2 facilitators, 1 test result reader, and 1 supervisor.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you!
Student Athlete/ Extracurricular BinaxNOW Testing Procedures and Logistics
Student Athlete Monday Testing Schedule
BWRSD BinaxNOW Testing Consent Form
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@mthopehs
Email: deborah.dibiase@bwrsd.org
Website: www.bwrsd.org
Location: 199 Chestnut Street, Bristol, RI, USA
Phone: (401)254-5980
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Twitter: @mthopehs