COVID-19 testing procedures

The district continues to prepare its COVID-19 testing procedures should our area enter a yellow zone per the governor’s NYS Cluster Action Initiative. Student consent forms are due by the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 4. If a student who is randomly selected for testing does not have a consent form on file with the district, he or she will have to go to the remote learning model for 14 days from the date the test was supposed to be administered. The 14 days will remain in effect even if the district’s test results remove them from the yellow zone. It is our absolute goal to prioritize in-person learning for our students and staff.

While the district’s plan is still being finalized, we would like to share a summary of what has been put together so far. We know that families might want to have conversations with their children at home prior to a test being administered; we will do everything we can to support our students and make the testing process as efficient as possible. 

Testing Process

The free diagnostic test for the COVID-19 virus will be administered by a certified or licensed medical provider (CNA, LPN, or RN) from Adirondack Health and Wellness. A rapid COVID-19 test will be used, which will involve inserting a small swab, similar to a Q-Tip, into the front of the nose. The testing process will take two days on campus.

Testing Sites

  • Elementary School students: Middle School Gymnasium
  • Middle School students: Middle School Gymnasium
  • High School students: High School classrooms (isolated wing, separate entrance)
  • Faculty/Staff: Middle School Gymnasium

Schuylerville staff, as well as building administrators will be present at each testing site to assist with the following:

  • Checking in faculty/staff/students and verifying information 
  • Timing and result identification
  • Data entry
  • Overseeing appropriate PPE
  • Overseeing cleaning procedures and gathering of supplies

Testing Procedures

If our area enters into a yellow zone, the following procedures will go into effect. 

*Please note, the dates and days of the week for testing have not been determined. This is a hypothetical situation being used for planning purposes at this time. 

Testing Day #1 (exact date TBD)

Elementary School

  • 2-hour delay for elementary school students only (staff will report as normal)

Middle School and High School 

  • Remote learning for all students
  • Faculty and staff report to campus for their normal day
Who will be tested on Day #1?
  • Elementary students who are selected 
  • Elementary faculty/staff
  • Middle school faculty/staff
  • High school faculty/staff
  • Administrative office staff 
  • Transportation, Food Service, School’s Out, and Building and Grounds staff

The two-hour delay will allow for testing to occur in the elementary building between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. without students present on campus, and to prevent additional spread in the event of any positive COVID-19 tests. There will be no students present in the middle and high school buildings when tests are administered because of the remote learning day.

A detailed schedule will be sent out if our area enters a yellow zone and testing is required to begin. Students will be able to have a parent/guardian drive them to school if they are selected for testing. For any parent who can’t transport their child to school, the student will be transported to school at their regular bus pick up time.

Testing Day #2 (exact date TBD)

Elementary School 

  • Full school day for both in-person and remote learners

Middle School/High School

  • Remote learning for students who were not selected for COVID-19 testing
  • In-person learning for students selected for COVID-19 testing (if their test is negative)
Who will be tested on Day #2?
  • Middle school students who are selected
  • High school students who are selected 

A detailed schedule will be sent out if our area enters a yellow zone and testing is required to begin. Students will be able to have a parent/guardian drive them to school if they are selected for testing. For any parent who can’t transport their child to school, the student will be transported to school at their regular bus pick up time.

Testing Results

  • When it is an individual’s turn to be tested, the student/staff member will go to a table with a tester. Seating will be arranged to be at least six feet apart. The tester will verify the name via District ID or pre-made student labels and/or write their name on the actual test kit.  
  • Students and staff will be placed in a holding area waiting for results. The tester will bring the completed test kit to the results table where results checkers will have timers set up for the 15-minute incubation period.  
  • Once the 15-minute incubation period is up, the result checkers will document the individual’s results. The results will be input into a data tracking form. Positive results will be reported to school administrators.  
  • Parents will be notified once the test concludes (negative or positive result). If negative, the student will stay at school for the remainder of the school day. If positive, the parent  will be directed to pick their child up, bring them home, and be in contact with their pediatrician.
  • The district will notify the Saratoga County Department of Health of any positive results and follow established protocols for isolation and sending students or staff home. The Department of Health will advise on next steps.

Testing Selection Process

Students
  • Consent forms were sent to families on Monday, Nov. 30. 
  • Families will be notified a day or two in advance of their child/children’s selection for testing. 
  • Pre-populated reporting forms will be generated for each building for use in this process, aligned with the consents received from families. The tracking sheet will be used to submit the required data to New York State.
Faculty/Staff
  • Testing of faculty and staff is required per executive order from the state. 
  • Consent forms will remain on file for the testing agency.
  • School administrators will determine the times for staff to be tested.
  • The district’s data entry team will provide pre-populated reporting forms to each building for use in this process. The tracking sheet will be used to submit the data to the county and state.

We realize this is a lot of information to digest, but it is all important information we feel needs to be communicated to our faculty, staff and families. If our area enters a yellow zone, further details about the two days of testing and specific schedules will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact COVID-19 Coordinator, Gregg Barthelmas. Thank you for your continued support.

Dr. Ryan Sherman
Superintendent

Gregg Barthelmas
COVID-19 Coordinator
Director of Pupil Personnel Services