Pooled Testing
At the Saugus Public Schools
Good Afternoon Saugus Families and Staff,
As we continue to welcome in-person learners to our schools, we challenge ourselves to lead the nation in continuing to be innovative and creative in supporting the social, emotional and academic well-being of our students during these unprecedented, challenging times.
A critical component to the safety for all members of our community is free and accessible Covid-19 testing for students and staff. You will be receiving detailed information from the Saugus Public Schools about the launch of free, weekly Covid-19 testing for all SMHS students who opt into the program with family consent for our students under 18 and student consent for 18 and older. Below we are sharing a preview of the information so families who opt in can get a head start in filling out their consent forms. Once consent forms are received, weekly student Covid testing is scheduled to begin the week of May 10, 2021.
What is Pooled Testing?
Pooled testing involves combining several individuals’ test samples together into one “pool” and then testing the pooled sample for COVID-19. This approach increases the number of individuals that can be tested at one time and can be done on a weekly basis. The students and staff in grades 2 -12 who are able, will self-swab with observation in a designated testing area in just a few minutes.
The school will receive the pool results within 24-48 hours. If the result of the pool is negative, then all individuals are presumed to not have COVID-19. If the result of the pool is positive, then all individuals in the pool will come back to school the next day and be retested individually using BinaxNOW by the School Nurses. As pooled testing does not give individual results, you will only be notified if your child tests positive upon follow-up testing.
BinaxNOW Individual follow-up tests produce results in 15 mins. If the individual follow-up test comes back negative, the student and staff returns to school as normal. If the individual follow-up test comes back positive, we will work with families to make arrangements to have the student quarantine and get connected to care. The school nurses working with the Saugus Board of Health will also reach out to start the contact tracing process. If everyone’s follow-up test is negative we will retest them again between 24 and 48 hours later. If all tests come back negative again students/staff will return to class and no further testing is needed.
Student/Staff Covid-19 testing is completely free, confidential, and voluntary for students/Staff who are attending school in person.
Student/Staff Covid Testing Consent Forms
Using the below link, consent forms can be completed electronically. Only students/staff with completed consent forms on file will be able to be tested. You only need to fill out this form once per child/staff.
Pooled Testing Consent Form (See the Link Below)
Please reach out to Kimberly Politano at kpolitano@saugus.k12.ma.us with any questions or concerns. We are stronger and safer when we work together.