Dear Needham Public Schools Families: I am writing to let you know that the district will change our COVID testing program in coordination with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Department of Public Health (DPH), and Needham Public Health. I am confident that the new COVID testing options are the appropriate next step to keep our schools healthy and safe. You may view a brief presentation of the new program here: New NPS Testing Program <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NTfYBGjHCINRAZCY1HH5xzp2wXh3H6CuGKsRRxBYO48/edit?usp=sharing> Here is a summary of the changes: - At-Home Rapid Tests Each week, beginning this Thursday and Friday, February 3rd and 4th, the district will distribute one iHealth COVID-19 At-Home Rapid Antigen Test kit (2 tests in each kit) to each student whose family opts in to receive tests and agrees to test once on Sunday and again on midweek. To opt in, families must respond to the text or email that the district will push out using our Health Attestation app, RUVNA. *We will send out a special text and email to all families on Monday afternoon, January 31st about 3:00 p.m.* By opting in, families will agree to review the training materials for test administration <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DS9psyq9WpqvNe022OGZYjb5pmwBimxk/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117108072038614794111&rtpof=true&sd=true>, report positive test results <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSde-V_H0m8AWvClAQkEFTJhai_Xyu9KFEFTCN8szFWXz9M6yg/viewform> to their student’s school, and administer the tests according to the district’s guidelines. Only those families who opt in through RUVNA by Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. will receive their first test kit by Friday, February 4th. - In School Symptomatic Tests Beginning on Wednesday, February 9th, the district will provide symptomatic testing for students whose families have consented to the DESE/CIC testing program. The program is designed to provide an in school test for those students who develop symptoms during the school day. It is administered by our health partner, CIC. If you already signed up for the DESE testing (symptomatic, pool, and Test & Stay), you do not need to consent again. If you consented and would like to *opt out* of symptomatic testing, please email danielle_deleon@needham.k12.ma.us. For those who have not signed up for the DESE/CIC testing, you may opt in at this link: In School Symptomatic Testing Program <https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=Needham> . (Families can opt in to one of the testing programs, both programs, or neither.) - Contact Tracing and Test & Stay Program In order to participate in the new DESE testing program, we will stop contact tracing, exposure notifications and the Test & Stay program on Thursday, February 3rd. The ability to offer At-Home Rapid Testing for students and the availability of symptomatic testing will mean that we can continue to prioritize health and safety. This also means that if your student has a potential exposure while at school, they may continue to come to school and do not have to quarantine because of the low incidence of in-school transmission. You can expect that additional information will be shared in the days ahead. In the meantime, we are providing a presentation of the new COVID testing options <https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NTfYBGjHCINRAZCY1HH5xzp2wXh3H6CuGKsRRxBYO48/edit?usp=sharing>, updated COVID Protocols for Students and Families <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NdyqyVm2qpIn6KEN3bBjMpB8XabmKkolkr7uNBiTeiA/edit#>, plus answers to Frequently Asked Questions <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_DX34Yep-8Eb_jUGgGtfRmZRMGFX0LfS/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117108072038614794111&rtpof=true&sd=true> . The FAQ includes instructions on administering At-Home Tests and reporting positive test results, plus additional context for understanding the change to our health and safety protocols. Finally, if you wish to view a brief video about the new program featuring NPS Director of Health Services Susannah Hann and School Committee Chair, Dr. Connie Barr, click here: Video presentation of new testing program <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arDprRtrKgA> As always, thank you for your partnership. Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools Needham Public Schools 1330 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 781-455-0400 x11203 dan_gutekanst@needham.k12.ma.us ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Contact your child’s school for assistance. Chinese (Simplified): 请注意：如果您的母语不是英语，我们将免费提供您语言辅助服务。如需协助，请与您孩子 的学校联系。 Spanish: ATENCION: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, hay servicios de asistencia lingüística disponibles gratis. Contacte la escuela de su hijo para asistencia. Russian: ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы не говорите на английском языке, для вас доступны бесплатные языковые сервисы на вашем языке. Обратитесь за помощью в школу, в которой учится ваш ребенок.