December 29, 2021
RE: NYS Testing Announcement
Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,
This week Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide goal of providing students the opportunity to be tested for COVID-19 as school resumes after holiday break. There is no requirement that families test their children, but the Governor is encouraging the testing of students in order to keep students and school communities as safe as possible. The Governor stated that they will be sending test kits for distribution to our schools and local BOCES.
While it is unclear exactly when the test kits will be delivered by New York State, we are working on plans to use our school buildings as distribution sites. If you would like a kit, please watch for additional information coming soon. In the event that we receive a sufficient supply, there will be a limit of one kit per student. If we receive fewer kits than the number of students in the district, kits will be available on a first come first served basis.
Please note the district is simply a conduit for distribution. We will not be tracking or reporting results. We ask that families who utilize the kits and have a child with a positive test result report the positive case to the Onondaga County Health Department and work with the district to follow all isolation and quarantine requirements. The link can be found here or at https://covid19.ongov.net/at-home-covid-test-results-screen/.
To clear up any possible confusion, this opportunity to receive free test kits is separate from and not related to “Test to Stay” (TTS) programs described in my letter of 12/8/21 in which West Genesee CSD and other regional school districts are choosing to participate. Information on TTS will be coming as the requirements and planning are complete.
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate the complications created by this pandemic. Have a safe and Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
West Genesee CSD