Superintendent’s update on COVID-19 test kits – Jan. 3, 2022

January 3, 2022

Good morning,

We were pleased to welcome students and staff back to campus today. Happy new year to all.

As has been reported in the media, New York State has made at-home COVID-19 test kits available to schools statewide. These test kits were delivered to our local BOCES over the weekend and are currently being distributed to each of our schools.

The purpose of these tests is to monitor the spread of COVID-19 within our community as part of the ongoing effort to keep our school buildings open for in-person instruction. Tests can be used whether or not a student is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

State and local health officials are providing these tests as a resource to schools and families. Anyone who would like to obtain a COVID-19 test kit should contact Anne Farnam at 518-872-1293. Any additional tests will be kept in our school health offices to be used, with parent/guardian permission, for symptomatic students or surveillance testing to keep students and staff in school safely.

Please note that any positive test results from an at-home test must be reported to the local health department and to your school nurse. You do not need to report test results obtained elsewhere. To report a positive test result to Albany County, please go to https://forms.albanycounty.com/Forms/dcu8G and follow the directions provided.

Please remember that if your child has a symptom of COVID-19, they should be tested at home using a rapid test, or at a clinic, doctor’s office or testing site. Anyone with a positive test result should isolate and contact the Albany County Department of Health. For more information on testing, quarantine and isolation please visit https://www.albanycounty.com/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19.

Please also note that while the CDC has changed the length of the isolation period for fully vaccinated healthcare workers and other critical workers, this change in guidance does not affect the isolation period for public school students. BKW continues to work with the Albany County Department of Health regarding quarantine and isolation for individuals who come into contact with someone who is positive or presumed positive for COVID-19.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to keep our students in school. If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 testing or other health and safety protocols, please do not hesitate to call BKW at 518-872-1293.

Sincerely,
Dr. Timothy Mundell
Superintendent of Schools