Ashland Schools Moving To New COVID Testing System; Families Must Opt-In By January 28

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ASHLAND – Ashland Public School System has opted into the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s at-home testing program to increase testing opportunities for our students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, announced Superintendent Jim Adams in an email to parents today, January 21.

Parents are asked to opt into the program, that could start February 7.

“Depending on the timing of deliveries, the at-home testing option for students should begin on February 7. In addition to this new at-home antigen test option, we will offer symptomatic testing to students who become ill at school. If a child is feeling ill, they should stay home and take a rapid antigen test there,” said Supt. Adams.

“The new at-home testing opportunity and the symptomatic testing are voluntary, and only those who opt-in will receive tests. We strongly encourage you to allow your student(s) to opt-in,” said Supt. Adams.

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COVID-19 TESTING PROGRAMS At-Home Rapid Antigen Testing

Participating students must test weekly on Tuesdays before school.

Symptomatic Testing You must fill out this form to allow your student to participate in symptomatic testing

OVERVIEW: AT-HOME TESTING PROGRAM About the Test:

iHealth is a 15-minute at-home FDA-approved rapid antigen test

Opt-In: For your student(s) to participate, you must complete this form by 5 p.m. on January 28. By opting in, you agree to review the training materials for test administration, administer the test each Tuesday before school, and report positive test results to APS by 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Weekly: Students will receive an iHealth at-home rapid test kit every two weeks. Each kit contains two individual tests. Students must test weekly on Tuesdays before school.

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Reporting Positive Test Results: If your student tests positive on an at-home antigen test, you must keep your student home and inform Ashland Public Schools of the positive result by 9 a.m. on Tuesday using the Positive Test Result Notification form. The district will not make individual results public. In addition, you should inform your healthcare professional of the positive result. 

Easy, Free, and Flexible: This test is administered at home to reduce the burden on school staff and increase flexibility for families to test at home for free.

HOW TO ADMINISTER TEST Click here for a “how-to” written guide in various languages.

Click here for a video of an individual self-testing.

Submit Results: You must submit positive test results to Ashland Public Schools by 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Confidentiality: Individual results will remain confidential and will not be made public.   If you have any questions, contact your child’s school nurse.