COVID-19 Safety Protocol Update and Rapid Testing

Dear Parent/Guardian,

We would like to provide you with some updated information regarding the Rapid Testing Screener for COVID-19 and a few significant changes for families with respect to isolation of siblings, the new requirement of masks for students in Kindergarten, and masks for indoor physical education classes.

Rapid Testing – Screener

Rapid screening will be provided as an option to parents of children who exhibit COVID symptoms while at school. Below is the procedure we will follow, should you want to take part in this optional screening.

Students who are reported to the office with COVID-19 symptoms will be accompanied to the isolation room. The child’s temperature will be taken and parents/guardians will be called.
When the school calls, parents/guardians will be offered the option of a rapid test. Once verbal agreement is received, the school will perform the rapid test.
Rapid testing is conducted through a nasal swab but IS NOT the same test performed by Public Health. Only the first cm of the nose is swabbed for this rapid screening test. Please see the image below.

Once an adult arrives at school, he/she will be required to sign a consent form and the school will provide the results of the rapid test.
Parents/guardians of students who receive a positive result, will be contacted by Public Health.
Students who receive a negative result will still need to go home with parents/guardians and remain home while monitoring for additional symptoms. Students may return to school once symptoms have resolved. (Please see the appendix below for instructions for parents regarding when and how long to keep children home).

Change in COVID-19 Protocol for Siblings

Siblings of a child who is exhibiting symptoms will no longer be required to go home except in situations described below. However, if your child has been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 AND your child is awaiting test results, all siblings will be required to stay home. In addition, if a child develops symptoms after being identified as a close contact of a positive case, siblings will also be required to stay home. Please note, our regular school policy for other sicknesses and symptoms (non-COVID) remains in place. Children with symptoms of illness must remain at home until they are symptom-free without symptom-reducing medication. (See appendix below for more information.)

Change in Mask Protocol

Beginning Monday, October 4 students in grade 1-6 will be required to wear a procedural mask during physical education classes held indoors, if 2m distance cannot be maintained at all times. Students are not required to wear a mask for Physical Education classes held outdoors.

Students in Kindergarten 4 and Kindergarten 5 will be required to wear a procedural mask while on the bus. The school will provide masks in your child’s bag to be worn in the morning and in the afternoon.

For more information regarding the new measures (rapid testing, isolation of siblings, masks for pre-school students on the bus and masks for physical education classes held indoors), please click on the following link. https://lordaylmer.westernquebec.ca/covid-19-safety-protocol-update-and-rapid-testing/

Should you have any questions about the items above, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Eldon Keon
Principal

Letter to Parents re Rapid Testing – Lord Aylmer School Download