COVID Testing Frequently Asked Questions
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Can we test on the weekends or during asynchronous days?
Posted by:Our plan will be reviewed and changes will be made as needed.
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Please tell me who will be performing the actual swab. Will it be the school nurse?
Posted by:The district is hiring licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) who have experience working with children and will be trained to perform the tests. These individuals are not currently working, as their school districts are fully remote.
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Could you please tell me what this test would consist of?
Posted by:The BinaxNow test is best described as a non-invasive nostril swab. Please watch a demonstration of the test by one of our LCSD students.
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How will parents obtain testing results?
Posted by:Results will be ready within approximately 15 minutes of taking the test. Parents will be notified immediately if their child tests positive.
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How will results be kept and my child’s HIPAA be protected?
Posted by:The district will adhere to all privacy laws, as it does with all other matters involving our students, faculty, and staff.
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How will the district verify a student identity?
Posted by:Each building principal is working in concert with our school nurses and other school employees to create a process specific to each building.
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If one does not consent, can the child still attend school in-person?
Posted by:Yes. That is, if the region remains "yellow" or better and there are enough members (20% per week) of the LCSD community testing, your child will be able to attend school. However, if the region is moved to "orange" or "red," then everyone (100%) who is in-person instructing would have to test or the district would remain in remote instruction until the region returned to "yellow."
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Is it a deep nasal swab?
Posted by:No, it is a shallow nostril swab. Please view the Binaxnow video for specific testing information.
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So what happens if we don't consent to our children being tested?
Posted by:NYS has set specific metrics regarding the percentage of students, faculty, and staff that must be tested. If LCSD cannot meet those requirements, then we will not be able to offer in-person instruction.
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What is the comfort level of the test for my kids?
Posted by:This test is of minimal discomfort for all who take part. Please see this short Binaxnow video to gain a better understanding of the tests that will be utilized.
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Where will testing occur?
Posted by:Testing will occur at school. Each school (principal and school nurse) has met and will continue to meet to operationalize the testing. As we move forward and learn from our experiences, other options may be entertained.
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Who is paying for this "free test kit"?
Posted by:The testing kits will be provided "free" by the NYSDOH. Certainly the tests were not "free," but the test kit cost burden is not on the Lancaster CSD.
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Will parents be given the opportunity to be present while their child is being tested?
Posted by:We get it. Your children are more important to you than anything else. As we begin this new adventure, we are hoping there is a critical mass of parents who feel comfortable not being present, as this will speed up the process and give us the opportunity to maximize our testing efficiency. With the size of our district, we will have to do over 300 tests per day. At this time testing will happen in our schools, and due to COVID restrictions visitors cannot enter the buildings. In later stages of testing we may be able to move to a drive-through option, which would avail parents the opportunity to be present.
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Will parents be notified if their child is randomly selected to be Binaxnow COVID-19 tested?
Posted by:Before testing, the district will send an email notifying parents that their child has been selected.
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Will tested children only be tested once every five weeks as suggested in a previous email?
Posted by:If all families consent to testing, it will occur approximately every five weeks. However, there is the possibility children may receive multiple tests.
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Your form says: "I authorize my child’s test results and other information to be disclosed..."
Posted by:Positive tests will be reported to the Erie County Department of Health. As always, the district will strictly adhere to all privacy laws, as it does with all other matters involving our students, faculty, and staff.