Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth
For the required weekly surveillance testing program to remain at school in-person, a consent form in your keiki's electronic health record (EHR) needs to be completed by Jan. 4, 2022. ʻOhana should have received an email today on whether or not a consent form has been received, is still needed, or if their keiki is exempt from the testing requirement by registering as fully vaccinated.
In October, it was announced that starting next semester, grade 6 will join the rest of their middle school peers in Kamehameha Schools' required weekly surveillance testing program.
Surveillance testing, when done consistently, is a way to minimize spread. All Kamehameha Hawaiʻi middle and high school students are required to participate in weekly surveillance testing. Students may be exempt from the testing requirement if they have registered with KS as fully vaccinated, or have recovered from a positive COVID-19 diagnosis within the past 90 days. Even after becoming exempt from the requirement, vaccinated students may continue to participate in weekly screening using the same process.
This shift to bring grade 6 in line with grade 7 & 8 students will allow for more consistency with all of the grades at our Kula Waena. With vaccinations now also being available for the entire grade, it made sense to make the adjustment so all Kula Waena grade levels have the same layers of protection in place. Nearly half of grade six students have opted into voluntary testing as well with many participating over the past four months, and the previous school year before that.
Required testing is our alternative to requiring vaccination–so that we can maintain vaccination as a personal choice for students–and still provide an added layer of safety for those who choose to remain unvaccinated. Our safety protocols, taken together, are what we believe is necessary to continue in-person learning, keep our school community safe, and prevent spread.
COMPLETE THE CONSENT FORM
A new form is needed for this 2021-2022 school year. The consent form allows the testing vendor to share results with KS so we can notify you in the event of a positive test, initiate all of the steps involved in contact tracing in timely fashion, and distribute test results to testers via their EHR. Instructions on how to complete the consent form can be found here.
SALIVA TESTING PROCESS AND INSTRUCTIONS
Reminders will be sent prior to January 10, but here are the basic instructions:
REGISTER YOUR KEIKI'S VACCINATION CARD IN THEIR EHR
Kamehameha Schools does encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated and register with KS. Registering as fully vaccinated does exempt students from the testing requirement (though they may still participate on a voluntary basis).
At this time, being fully vaccinated is also the only way to avoid a mandatory quarantine if identified as a close contact of a positive case.As many in our grade 6 ʻohana found out over the past semester, a quarantine can be a big disruption. By taking an additional precaution through vaccination, if students remain asymptomatic, they can avoid quarantine. See instructions on how to upload your keiki's card.
ALTERNATIVE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING (IF NEEDED; FOR THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS)
There is also a short nasal rapid antigen testing station from Premiere Medical Group (PMG) on campus at Lunalilo Hale available Monday - Friday from 6:30 - 9:30 a.m. (with drive-thru testing on Monday afternoons from 3:30 - 5 p.m.) for students and employees. The rapid antigen test does fulfill the criteria for weekly surveillance testing and is another option for voluntary testing.
Saliva tests can be only be processed by Shield T3's lab if received by KS between Monday - Wednesday. Anything later than Wednesday will require a different testing method, which is another reason for the rapid antigen testing. Students participating in the required surveillance testing program, who are absent or unable to submit their test kit samples by Wednesday, should utilize the rapid antigen testing station if returning to campus on Thursdays and Fridays. The testing process utilizes a short nasal swab, rather than saliva, and you will receive results within 15 minutes. There is a different registration process, and parents will need to consent each time. Middle School students also need to receive approval from the front office before heading to Lunalilo. See registration instructions for PMG testing.
If assistance is needed in completing the consent form, contact the health room, or reply to this email for kōkua or more information.
Mahalo nui loa for your commitment to this important kuleana!
See instructions on how to submit your sample.
Vaccination is encourage and is still the most effective way to preserve in-person learning and prevent against severe infection. If fully vaccinated, ʻohana are encouraged to update their keiki's electronic health record with KS.
Since late September, Premiere Medical Group has offered a testing station on-campus daily from 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. providing short nasal rapid antigen testing, which also fulfills the weekly testing requirement and is available for voluntary testing.
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