Columbus Elementary School Principal Michael Galland gave an overview at a recent Town Hall meeting of how the school district’s COVID Test-to-Stay (TTS) program, coupled with PCR saliva testing, is enabling more students to remain in school.
More than 300 students and about 60 staff members at Columbus Elementary School have enrolled in the voluntary PCR testing program, which furnishes participants with a take-home COVID PCR saliva test every two weeks. Tests are conducted on Tuesdays, and results are available on Thursdays or Fridays.
In the second week of January, the school introduced TTS. Galland explained that students and staff who have been exposed at school (more than 15 minutes within three feet of a COVID-positive person) are given two rapid tests to take home. The individual may continue to come to school if they remain asymptomatic and test negative on the second and fifth day after exposure. Prior to the implementation of TTS, an individual identified as having exposure to the virus could not return to school for 10 days.
“Test-to-stay has done wonders for in-person learning,” said Galland. “Our families appreciate this additional tool that enables us to keep everyone safe while continuing classroom instruction.” TTS is available at every school in the school district.
The school district sent home rapid at-home testing kits and instructions with all students, faculty, and staff last week so everyone can perform a COVID test prior to returning to school after the mid-winter recess.