Return to School
We will be returning to in-person learning on January 3rd, as planned. In-person learning has been and always will be a priority for us. It is important to note, however, that the next few weeks and months could be difficult with COVID numbers surging all around us. We must be prepared for isolations, quarantines, hybrid learning, and distance learning. We have planned for all scenarios and we ask for your patience, understanding, and flexibility. Below you will find some important health information regarding the start of the new year. As always, things are ever-evolving and changing. Please place your trust in us as we do our very best to keep our entire community healthy.
Wishing you a happy new year!
Mrs. Andrea Spaziante
Jot Form - Keeping track of test results
Notice from the RIDOH - Temporary testing changes
Due to the increase in testing volume across the state, PCR tests are taking 3-5 days to process. In an effort to minimize the number of days staff and students are out of school and child care when in quarantine as a close contact, as of 12/20 and until further notice, staff and students can use a negative PCR or a negative antigen test to return to school after quarantine.
*PLEASE NOTE: In order to schedule a rapid test at a State-run test site if you are asymptomatic, you need to select “General-public appointment” instead of “K-12 appointment” when prompted. That way you can make an appointment for a rapid test at any one of the following test sites:
Barrington Shopping Center, 184 County Rd. Barrington, RI 02806
Blackstone Community Health Center, 964 Broad St. Central Falls, RI 02863
Bristol Storefront, 655 Metacom Ave. Bristol, RI 02809
Chapel View Storefront, 4000 Chapel View Blvd. Cranston, RI 02920
Cranston Parkade, 322 Garfield Ave. Cranston, RI 02920
East Bay Health Care-Warren, 13 Railroad Ave. Warren, RI 02885
Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St. Providence, RI 02903
Smithfield VFW, 47 Farnum Pike Smithfield, RI 02917
Warwick Shopping Plaza, 545 Greenwich Ave. Warwick, RI 02886
Appointments are required at State-run test sites. You can self-schedule online at portal.ri.gov or call 401-222-8022. While scheduling a rapid antigen test, make sure to provide information about your education affiliation and select "General-public appointment" when you're prompted. Rapid testing is also available for asymptomatic patients at local pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens. Go online to check whether rapid testing is available at the pharmacy closest to you.
Symptomatic rapid testing:
All State-run COVID-19 test sites offer rapid antigen testing to symptomatic patients. When you arrive at a test site, the staff will ask if you have symptoms of COVID-19. If you say yes, they will give you two swabs. The first one will be a rapid antigen test. The result of this test is ready on the same day. The second swab will be a PCR test. The PCR test will only get sent to the lab if your rapid test result is negative.
Q&A
We have been told that PCR tests are the most accurate tests for asymptomatic people. Why all of the sudden is RIDOH allowing K-12 and child care staff and students to test out of quarantine with an antigen test?
PCR tests are the most sensitive and reliable tests for detecting COVID-19 in asymptomatic people. When PCR tests are not readily available or PCR results cannot be received in a timely manner, rapid antigen tests are appropriate to use for asymptomatic people. As Rhode Island is currently experiencing an extremely high testing volume, and PCR turnaround times are taking longer than the typical 48 hours, RIDOH has amended its testing recommendation for returning to school or child care post quarantine. In order to minimize the number of school days missed, K-12 and child care staff and students now have the option to end quarantine on Day 7 with a negative antigen test obtained on Day 5 or later.
What can you do?
Upgrade your cloth masks to surgical or KN95. These provide better protection and can be found on Amazon (of course!).
Vaccinate. While this is a personal choice, if your child is vaccinated, under the current guidance, they will not have to quarantine and will experience milder symptoms if they test positive.
Limit exposure outside of school.
Be kind. We understand everyone has different views of the world, but one thing we have in common is that we care for the well-being of the ICCRS community.
Trust. While the process is not perfect and we may make a mistake or two, please trust that we are doing the best we can to make decisions that are for the good of the entire community.
