Message about Opt-in testing, consent forms, Test to Stay

December 7, 2021

Dear Stillwater Community,

I’d like to thank all of our families who have returned consent forms so their students may participate in our district’s Opt-in opportunity for in-school COVID-19 diagnostic and screening testing.

As a reminder with this Opt-in program, parents/guardians and staff may:

  • choose to decline by not signing the consent form
  • choose to participate in the screening test only
  • choose to participate in the diagnostic test only
  • choose to participate in both the screening and diagnostic tests

I also would like to thank our families and staff for their partnership in helping our schools remain safe by staying home and not coming to school when sick. While we are providing Opt-in, in-school testing in our buildings for those who have returned consent forms, we are unable to offer any drive-up testing at this time.

Saratoga County recently completed a pilot program called Test to Stay at the South Glens Falls Central School District. The county is now working with other schools to provide them with enough tests to begin their own Test to Stay programs. These programs allow a student or staff member who had contact with a COVID-positive individual to stay in school, instead of being quarantined at home for 10 days, as long as they have no symptoms and test negative daily.

Once we have sufficient testing supplies, Stillwater plans to offer a Test to Stay program that will be open to all who have completed the testing consent forms. These forms were sent home with our students on November 19; if you would like your student to participate in testing at school – either now, or once the Test to Stay program is in place, please return the completed form as directed.

We will continue to keep you informed of the status of our Test to Stay program as well as other COVID-19 protocols. As always, if you have a question regarding COVID-19 symptoms or protocols, please reach out. Our COVID Team is here to help. If we do not have the answer, we will connect with the Department of Health to get it for you.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Patricia Morris
Superintendent