COVID-19 Testing Frequently Asked Questions

**PLEASE NOTE: As of Jan. 27, 2021, we will no longer need to conduct COVID-19 testing in order to remain open to in-person instruction. This will start immediately. Read more...

We realize that you may have questions about testing. We have put together these frequently asked questions to provide some answers for you. As always, we are committed to our partnership with our school community in providing transparent communications.

COVID-19 Testing Frequently Asked Questions (Arabic)
  • Will the school nurse be administering the test?
    Our community based nursing partner (Supplemental Health Care) will be administering the test. The tests will be performed by a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). The school nurse will be involved with any student or parent communication regarding positive test results.

  • When will parents be notified if/when their child is chosen for testing?
    Any child whose parent or guardian has provided a consent for testing will be subject to on-site testing if they are selected through our random selection process beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. Parents will be notified of the test results.

  • How will test results be communicated to parents?
    If a student has a negative result, parents will receive an email; positive results will be communicated by the school nurse.

  • If my child tests positive, can we get another, more accurate test?
    You may choose to have your child re-tested through community-based testing. However, once a child has tested positive through the school’s testing program, your child will have to be picked up from school and must follow the 10-day quarantine guidance within the Lackawanna City School District.

  • What will the individual administering the tests be wearing?
    The LPN or RN will be wearing full PPE as prescribed for the testing, which includes N95 or KN95, face shield, gown and gloves. 

  • Are there alternatives to having our child tested at school? Can we get our child tested on our own and use that result in lieu of testing at school?
    Schools can accept written test results from healthcare providers, given it is within 7 days of their scheduled test date. Schools can also have students, faculty, and/or staff go to a test site run by New York State to have specimens collected for testing. Since families will not know in advance of the testing, this will be most relevant to families who had their child tested (possibly due to cold-like symptoms) and have communicated the negative test results to the school nurse. If the nurse is in possession of current test results, those test results can be used in lieu of the testing in school.

  • The CDC reduced the quarantine requirements. Is that being considered?
    The Erie County DOH recently changed the quarantine requirements within our area. Contact tracers will make decisions on quarantining classroom contacts within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more rather than 60 minutes in a shared space.

  • How long will my child be sent home for if he/she tests positive?
    The current guidance from Erie County says anyone with a positive test result must isolate for (1) 10 days after the first positive test if asymptomatic or 10 days from the first day symptoms began and (2) 72 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and (3) the improvement of respiratory symptoms.

  • Why do schools have testing requirements at all?
    In order for schools to be open for in-person learning, New York State requires schools to do testing if the region they are located within is labelled as a yellow, orange or red zone. The Lackawanna City School District is currently in an orange zone and required to test 20% of staff and students who are in our buildings each month.

  • What is the accuracy of the BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card test?
    In data submitted to the FDA from a clinical study conducted by Abbott with several leading U.S. research universities, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card demonstrated sensitivity of 97.1% (accuracy among positive test results) and specificity of 98.5% (accuracy among negative test results) in direct nasal swabs from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider within the first 7 days of symptom onset.

  • Will any children be exempt from testing?
    Any child whose parent or guardian has provided a consent for testing will be subject to on-site testing if they are selected through our random selection process.

  • Based on the parameters for orange zones (20% monthly) and red zones (30% monthly), approximately how often would a student be tested?
    A student would not be tested more than once a month, but it is possible he/she could be randomly selected as a part of the 20% being tested multiple months within the school year.

  • Will there be testing each day in each building?
    No, Supplemental Health Care will be traveling throughout the district spending two days a week at each of our buildings. Testing will only be done on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of the school week.
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