Student Pooled Testing Information
Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians,
In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the district is providing a voluntary, free COVID-19 pooled testing program at our schools. Although participation is voluntary, it is strongly encouraged in order to allow for quick identification and quarantine of positive cases to prevent further spread of the virus in the school community.
Pooled testing, using a shallow nasal swab, will be available weekly for all students in attendance. We receive the results within 24-48 hours. Parents/Guardians will only be notified if their child is in a positive pooled test. If you do not receive notification from the district, then your child’s results were negative.
All individuals in a positive pooled test will need an individual PCR test as follow-up. Families will have the option to test at a designated Framingham Public School site. Everyone in the positive pool will remain out of school until they receive a negative individual PCR test result. If the district receives notification of a positive pool during in-person learning, arrangements must be made to pick your child up from school as soon as possible. Please be sure that your emergency contact information has been updated for this school year in the event that your child needs to be picked up from school.
The Framingham Board of Health will be notified of positive individual PCR test results and follow established public health COVID-19 guidelines and protocols for isolation and quarantine.
Please complete the attached Consent for Testing form. A completed, signed consent form is required for participation. We ask that you complete and return the form whether you are participating in testing or not. If you choose not to participate, please check the box declining testing for your child.
Please return the completed form to McCarthy as soon as possible. You only need to complete the form once.
Thank you for helping to reduce the spread of COVID in our school community.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Page, Principal
Please note, students are not eligible to participate in testing if they have:
tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 3 months;
are on quarantine due to travel or exposure; and/or
are experiencing any of the COVID symptoms below:
Fever, chills or shaking chills
Temperature of 100.0 F (37.7 C) or higher
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Headache
Sore throat
Fatigue/unusual tiredness
Body aches
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Runny nose or congestion
If your child or a family/household member of the child is experiencing any of the above symptoms, please keep your child home from school. THEY SHOULD NOT COME TO SCHOOL FOR TESTING OR LEARNING.
If you or any of your household members experience any of the above symptoms, have travelled, or are on quarantine, please contact your healthcare provider.
Cynthia Page, Principal
Email: cpage@framingham.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/mccarthy
Location: 8 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA, USA
Phone: 5087826401
Twitter: @MFMcSchool