Changes to Viral Testing Program 

This week the state announced important changes to its viral testing options available to school districts.  Essentially, this will shift most in-school testing to at-home tests, which will provide families and staff with more timely results to manage their health safety.  WPS is opting-in to this new program, which will be phased-in starting next week for staff, and the following week for students.  When fully implemented, each student and staff member will receive one rapid test kit, which contains two tests, every two weeks.  This will allow for once-a-week, at-home testing for everyone participating in the program.  Because the district has also purchased test kits beyond what the state is supporting, we may be able to provide additional tests to students and staff, allowing for another layer of weekly testing as needed. As this new testing program is phased-in, we will be simultaneously phasing-out our weekly surveillance testing for grades PreK-6, as well as contact tracing.  We will, however, continue to support in-school rapid testing for students and staff who develop symptoms while at school.

In order to participate in this new testing program and receive at-home testing kits, families and staff must first provide the district with consent.  (Even if you have already done so through our existing testing program.)

 

By agreeing to participate in the program, families and staff members must also agree to report any positive results to the district.  This new at-home testing opportunity is voluntary and only those who opt-in will receive tests.

About the Test:

•  iHealth is a 15-minute, at-home, FDA-approved rapid antigen test.
   

• Opt-In: To participate, you must opt in by completing the opt-in form .  By opting in, you will agree to review the training materials for test administration, report positive test results to your student’s school, and administer the test according to WPS guidelines. 
   

• Weekly: Every two weeks you will receive an iHealth at-home rapid test kit.  Each kit contains two individual tests. Students and staff will administer one test each week on a date to be determined by the school district