Dear Parents and Guardians,

Highlands School District will be participating in Operation Expanded Testing, a program supported and funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide COVID-19 PCR testing to K-12 schools at no cost. Participation in this program helps schools stay safer against the risk of COVID-19.

This program will help keep students in the classroom and prevent the spread of COVID-19 via as needed testing for students and staff. This program is designed with a team of highly skilled trainers who will guide all staff members on how to collect samples. The district will utilize the testing on an as needed, pooled (group) basis, such as circumstances in which a classroom or a team of students may have been exposed to COVID-19.

What type of test will be used? 

PCR-Pooled tests will be used, and they include 2 lower anterior nasal swabs that look like Q-tips. Both nostrils will be swabbed using one swab, and it goes into the pool, or group, to be tested. Both nostrils will be swabbed again using the second swab, and it goes into an individual container. The individual swab is only tested if the lab believes there may be COVID-19 present in the pooled test.

Participation in this program is voluntary and parents must opt into the program to register their child and give consent. 

TO OPT INTO THE PROGRAM

Please visit the following site: Link to register child for testing 

The registration process takes less than 5 minutes.

For a short video guide on “how to” complete the registration/consent and to activate your child’s online account to view results: View Video Here

If you prefer to complete a paper copy of the parental consent form, please print it out and return to your child's school, or contact the school office if you need a physical copy.

Please contact your child's building principal by email or phone if you have any questions.