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Pooled Testing 

Scroll down for the consent form links

RSU 71 is now using pooled testing as a mitigation layer for COVID-19 in grades K through 12 and with staff. Pooled testing is provided by Concentric and is made possible by the state-funded program.

Pooled testing provides a weekly look at a “pool” or group of students and staff. A self-administered nose swab is pooled with other members of the pool. There will be 7-10 members per pool. A PCR test of the pool will reveal whether COVID-19 is present. If positive, further testing (rapid BINAX) will be performed on all members of the pool. If positive, individuals and close contacts outside of the pool will need to quarantine based on CDC guidelines.

Why should my child participate ? 


Consent Forms

You can sign your student up for pooled testing at any time.  Anyone signed up before noon on Wednesday of each week will be added to the following week’s testing schedule.  You only need to register your child once.  The link to the online registration form is https://testcenter. concentricbyginkgo.com/minor- consent.  The access codes for each school are: 

          BAHS/PYHG3H        B-COPE/X2O7L3                 TROY HOWARD/6ZY1I3                CASS/USSIPR

 

          AMES/TNMG1T       EAST BELFAST/55ZQHQ NICKERSON/QCPOV3                 WEYMOUTH/2N6ESG



You can also use the paper consent form - click on this link to view the form:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF POOLED TESTING?

CAN STAFF AND STUDENTS BE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN POOLED TESTING?

No. Pooled testing is a voluntary program. Parents must sign a consent form in order for their child to participate. However, students who do not participate and who are identified as close contacts will need to quarantine and be out of school for that period of time.



WHICH STAFF MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN POOLED TESTING?

Staff can participate if they are available to provide a sample for classroom pool.

HOW OFTEN WILL MY CHILD BE TESTED?

One day per week, each student who is enrolled in the program will be given a nasal swab. Each student will put the swab just inside each nostril, and then all the swabs will be placed in one testing tube. 

HOW LONG DOES POOLED TESTING TAKE?

Testing an entire classroom or cohort usually takes about 10-15 minutes and speeds up after the first day. Each pool will consist of samples from 10 to 20 people.

HOW LONG ARE THE SWABS?

They are short nasal swabs that go just a half an inch into the nostril – they are similar to cotton swabs. If students have trouble performing the swabbing, the school nurse or other trained staff member can help. However, the test is so easy that kindergarteners typically can do it. The company we are partnering with in our pooled testing program, Concentric, likes to say: “If you can pick your nose, you can take this test!”

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SWABS ARE PLACED IN ONE TEST TUBE?

The tube will be sent to a lab. In about 48 hours, the school nurse will see the results of the test.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE POOLED TEST IS NEGATIVE?

If the tube, or “pool,” is negative, nothing needs to be done. The class will continue to be tested on a regular weekly basis.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE POOLED TEST IS POSITIVE?

If a tube is positive, each person in that group must have another test. The school nurse will do a rapid BinaxNOW test at school for each individual.


DO STUDENTS AND STAFF NEED TO QUARANTINE IF THEY ARE CLOSE CONTACTS OF SOMEONE IN THEIR POOL WHO TESTS POSITIVE?

CAN A PARENT OF A CHILD NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE TESTING PROGRAM HAVE THEIR CHILD TESTED TO GET OUT OF QUARANTINE AND RETURN TO SCHOOL?

Our schools will not accept a one-time test to get out of quarantine. Testing options vary and some are not as sensitive as a PCR test in detecting COVID-19. Additionally, the student placed in quarantine was not tested at the time the positive case was identified, nor will they be tested each week moving forward; thus, a one-time test is not helpful in monitoring the student.

HOW WILL POOL TESTING BE FUNDED?

The pooled testing program is funded by the Maine Department of Education and is free to students and staff who participate.