January 1, 2022
RE: NYS Testing Availability and Distribution
Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,
Per a letter sent to you on Thursday, the COVID-19 kits (iHealth Antigen Rapid Test) have arrived at our regional OCM BOCES and were transported to West Genesee this morning. This follows Governor Kathy Hochul announcement of a statewide goal to provide resources to parents to test students for COVID-19 as school resumes after holiday break. There is no requirement that families test their children. The Governor is encouraging the testing of students in order to keep students and school communities as safe as possible.
On Sunday, January 2, 2022, we will provide 1 test kit per student (2 tests per kit) in a drive-through distribution format. The hours to pick-up tests will be from 10:00am-2:00pm. In order to lessen traffic volume, we ask that you attempt to arrive according to school per the following schedule:
10:00am-11:00am – Stonehedge Elementary, Split Rock Elementary
11:00am-12:00pm – West Genesee MS, Onondaga Road Elementary
12:00pm-1:00pm – Camillus Middle School, East Hill Elementary
1:00pm-2:00pm – West Genesee High School
Families with students in multiple buildings are welcome at any time.
We will have two separate distribution pick-up locations. These are located at WGHS Library Entrance (#1 -west parking lot) and WGHS Lower/Poolside Entrance (#20 – east parking lot). Please enter campus at either the main entrance (across from Hinsdale Rd.) for the lower/poolside pick-up or the west entrance (across from Vanida Drive) for library pick-up. You may either of two pick-up locations and you will be provide direction upon entry. (Thank you to the Camillus Police Department for their support!)
You will remain in your car and will be greeted and asked for the student(s) name(s) that aligns with the number of kits you are requesting. You will then move forward in line and will be handed the appropriate amount of kits. We ask that you exit the same entrance that you used for entry.
As a reminder, 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/
Thank you for your support as we continue to implement strategies of health safety for our community. Have a safe and Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
West Genesee CSD