A Message to Families about COVID Test Kits

Jan 4, 2022 | Questar III BOCES

Dear Families:

Questar III started to distribute test kits to students attending our full-day programs yesterday to those families that completed the survey. This includes Special Education, full day programs at Columbia-Greene Educational Center, Tech Valley High School, STEM High School at Hudson Valley Community College, as well as our Pre-K programs. Students in our CTE and New Visions programs will receive communications from their home districts about test distribution.

Families of our full day programs, including Pre-K are asked to please complete this brief survey indicating their interest in Questar III sending home a test kit with your child. If you have already completed this survey, you will not need to complete it again. Parents can also contact their child’s school main office to request a test kit. We will not provide a kit if you do not want us to send one home.

Test Kits 

  • Test kits are distributed based on the survey above indicating an interest.
  • The intent from the state is to test students coming back from holiday break so we recommend taking one test this week and if it comes back negative, to keep the additional test until it is needed (your child is symptomatic or has been identified as a close contact). Please follow the instructions included with the kits on how to properly use these tests.
  • A reminder to please not send your child to school if they are experiencing any of the following COVID symptoms – fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
  • If your child tests negative, he or she may attend school. If at school your child is still presenting with symptoms the school nurse may either test your child at school (with your permission) or send your child home to request a test. The negative rapid at-home test does not preclude your child from further testing if he or she is still presenting symptoms.
  • Please visit https://accessbio.net/products/covid-19-detection-kits/carestart-covid-19-antigen-home-test for steps on how to properly use these test kits (or scan the QR code below).

Positive Results 

As a reminder, anyone who tests positive on a take-home test should immediately report their results to the school and begin isolating.

  • Students in Rensselaer and Columbia counties testing positive using an at-home test kit must complete a lab-confirmed COVID test. Please visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you to find a nearby testing site. The state recently opened mass testing sites at Crossgates Mall and the University at Albany.
  • Families in Greene County must report any positive at-home test result through their school and the county’s website at www.greenegovernment.com/report-positive-covid-test.
  • Families living in other counties should report positive test results to their local health department.
  • Students who test positive must isolate for 10 days and can return to school on day 11 if there is symptom resolution. At this time, individuals cannot test out of quarantine or isolation.
  • Taking part in testing is voluntary. We strongly encourage that you utilize these home test kits for your children when they are available. If you or others in your household need to be tested, please visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you to find a nearby testing site.

Masks 

  • Beginning today as an added precaution, our classes will no longer provide mask breaks unless medically necessary. We will pause this practice for the next two weeks and revisit it in conjunction with local positivity rates.
  • Any documented medical exemptions will still be recognized.

Vaccination 

Children ages 5 and above are eligible for the Pfizer vaccination. We recommend that you contact your physician with any questions. The FDA recently endorsed boosters for 12- to 15-year-olds (which must be approved by the CDC). Please visit the New York State Vaccination website at: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ for more information, including how to make an appointment if you intend to vaccinate your child.

We ask for your continued cooperation in following our established COVID protocols, including mask wearing, physical distancing, and staying home when sick. We will continue to keep you updated with any changes to conditions or protocols. Thank you for your continued partnership and patience.

Sincerely,

Anthony Taibi
Chief Academic Officer
Questar III BOCES

 

 

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