Dear RPS community:
I am writing to let you know that based on the latest COVID 19 activity and testing data, the Rockland Public Schools is opting into the new at-home asymptomatic testing program approved and recommended by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Public Health. For more information about this update to the statewide testing program, please click here.
All staff and student families who opt into the program will receive an iHealth at-home rapid test kit every two weeks. Each kit contains two individual tests. You will administer one test each week on Sunday. Only positive results need to be reported.
We will also join the state's symptomatic testing program, which will provide a greater supply of the rapid tests for the district to use daily on any individual not feeling well. If negative, we will also be able to offer you our PCR test for further confirmation.
As part of this shift in the program, we are discontinuing Test and Stay and contact tracing for in-school close contacts.
This new at-home testing opportunity is voluntary and only those who opt-in will receive tests. Positive test results are shared with the district for informational purposes only. Individual results will remain confidential.
Please fill out the below forms as soon as possible so kits can be ordered immediately:
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At-Home Rapid Antigen Testing (opt-in form)
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In-School Rapid Symptomatic Testing (click here)
I am confident that this shift to asymptomatic surveillance testing, backed by rapid and PCR symptomatic testing, is our safest, most effective path forward in our current circumstances. Please feel free to contact me or your building nurse if you have any questions. The program will go into effect as soon as we receive our test kits from the state.
Sincerely,
Alan Cron, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools