Dear District 140 Parents/Guardians,
Kirby School District 140 has partnered with the University of Illinois (“Testing Partner”) to test students for COVID-19 infection. This notice provides information about the program to allow an informed consent for your child to participate in the testing program. By not opting-out of the testing program as described below, consent for your child to be tested for COVID-19 infection is presumed. Parents will be notified in person or via phone and verbal consent will be obtained prior to collecting saliva (spit) for testing. Parents who wish to opt-out, must complete and submit the KSD 140 SHIELD Illinois OPT-OUT Form by Monday, September 6, 2021.
For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below or contact your building principal.
Respectfully,
Dr. Mary T. Dwyer
Director of Special Services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How often will your child be tested?
District nurses will test students who present with symptoms of COVID-19 or who are exposed at school. Parents will be notified in person or via phone and verbal consent will be obtained prior to collecting saliva (spit) for testing.
What is the test?
Your child will receive a free diagnostic test for the COVID-19 virus conducted by collecting saliva (spit).
How will I know if my child tests positive?
You will receive access to your child’s test results via an online patient portal. You will receive information from SHIELD Illinois on how to access your student’s portal.
What should I do when I receive my child’s test results?
If your child’s test results are positive, please contact your child’s doctor immediately to review the test results and discuss next steps. The earliest a student can return is after 10 days from the onset of symptoms, when fever is resolved (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) for 24 hours AND all other symptoms have improved.
If your child’s test results are negative, this means that the COVID-19 virus was not detected in your child’s saliva (spit).
Tests sometimes produce incorrect negative results called “false negatives” in people who have COVID-19. If your child tests negative but has symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have concerns about your child’s exposure to COVID-19, you should call your child’s doctor.
Who will receive my child’s test results?
In addition to you receiving your child’s test results, the School District and the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) will also receive your child’s test results, consistent with IDPH guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code.
Do I need to take any other action?
No other action is required if you consent for your child to be tested for COVID-19 infection pursuant to the above terms.
How do I opt-out of the SHIELD Illinois testing program?
If you do NOT give consent for your child to be tested for COVID-19 infection, please complete this linked google form - https://forms.gle/Eh9MrHBa8dfWZh1B7