Test To Stay In Vermont Schools

Details: Created on Wednesday, 27 October 2021 02:28; Written by Hailey Morgan

VERMONT - Earlier this month the Scott administration suggested Vermont school districts adopt the so-called "Test to Stay" program to minimize classroom disruption due to Covid-19. Although the program was put out at the beginning of the month, schools in Caledonia County have still not figured out a way to implement this strategy.

October 4th marked the day when Vermont's public and independent schools were notified of four easier ways to test students for covid 19. These methods used in other surrounding states proved to work, but in some cases there have been complications. These suggested strategies include Test To Stay, PCR response testing, take home PCR testing, and surveillance testing. After speaking with Jennifer Botzojorns Superintendent of Kingdom East School District. She says schools have not implemented the program due to the extensive amount of work that has to be done beforehand.

For the Test To Stay program it allows unvaccinated students who are close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case to take a daily antigen test at the beginning of the school day. Rather than remaining at home, students who test negative go to class. As long as they have no symptoms, and students that test positive must go home and quarantine. Schools will be receiving testing kits that go along with this program that have all the necessary tools to perform the task. The problem is, schools in the Caledonia County area have not received these tools. "The challenge is the box of products that you need to make this happen isn't available to us at this time," Botzojorns explained.

She says that her school district along with many others have been working closely with the Vermont Agency of Education to work out all the details of how to distribute the program. She shares throughout the pandemic there has always been a method on how to handle the covid 19 virus in schools. This time around in the pandemic, when a new program like this one is being highlighted. Sometimes it takes time to figure out how to deliver it to students. "You know you'd like to say we have it all dialed in and we're doing a great job, but we're taking it as it comes. One thing we've learned is that last year it was very clear we were in a state of emergency. It was very clear what we needed to do in our schools. Then this year things are a bit more optional."

The three main covid methods Kingdom East is focusing on is Test To Stay, on site PCR testing, and take home PCR testing. After speaking with Sophia Hall, Kingdom East Schools Covid Coordinator she says there are plans that still have to be worked out on school grounds. One issue schools have to face is how they are going to test students in a safe manner. Without putting staff and students at risk. Another hurdle they must approach is how parents are going to react to the program. "Where are they going to stay? Are they going to ride on the bus and then test, and if we need to get a hold of parents what's the process going to be for that? Another sticking point state wide is what if we don't have permission slips from parents," Hall explained.

On the other hand, Hall shares that the Agency of Education is anticipating vaccinations for kids five and up coming closer to Thanksgiving. They are also starting to assemble those on site testing kits for schools. They are in the process of making online permission forms, but Hall says these methods will not work without parent cooperation. "Couple of important pieces will be cooperation with parents. Quarantine with test to stay still has to be happening outside of the school hours. So the kids can come to school, they test, they're negative, they can stay in school. The end of the school day they have to go back home and quarantine."

The Kingdom East School district is now trying to move to phase three of implementing the program. Phase one, they have indicated to the AOE that they are interested in the program. Phase two, all the paperwork to perform the program has been completed. Phase three is getting permission slips and kits taken care of. The AOE is hoping that school districts receive kits in the next couple of weeks, and there is news that some kits are already being sent out. Today in Governor Phil Scott's press conference it was announced that antigen tests are being sent to 19 supervisory unions, and 12 independent schools for the Test To Stay program.

Kingdom East plans on waiting for guidance from the AOE to move forward with plans. Other school districts like St. Johnsbury and Caledonia Central Supervisory Union will be doing the same. A newsletter should be sent out when schools have made their final decisions.