Taylor ISD takes the health and safety of our students and their families very seriously. As such, in addition to steps to screen for the virus and prevent its spread on a campus, we are adding a voluntary K-12 COVID-19 testing program for students. This program uses Abbott Laboratories BinaxNOW tests provided by the federal government. We will only test with your consent.  If you are willing to provide consent for us to administer this test on your child or yourself (if student age 18 or older), please fill out this form.  

What is the test?
If your child is symptomatic or part of a group that is designated for testing, if you consent, your child will receive a free BinaxNOW rapid test for the COVID-19 virus . Collecting a specimen for testing involves using a swab, similar to a Q-Tip, placed inside the tip of the nose. A school staff member who has been trained to use this test will collect the specimen and a trained COVID-19 test administrator will oversee the process. Test results will be made available to the parent/guardian who signs this form below. The results will be sent by text message and email within 24 hours of the test.  This program is entirely optional for students, although we hope you choose to have the test to keep our schools as healthy & safe as possible.  The tests are being offered in addition to existing safety protocols such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent disinfection of surfaces.

What should I do when I receive my child’s test results?
If your child or you (if student age 18 or older) tests positive for the virus, your child will be moved to a room away from other students and staff until you can pick him/her up.  We ask that you keep your child home until the infection period has ended (typically, after symptoms improve and at least 10 days from the date symptoms first appear) and your child is no longer contagious.  If your child’s test results are negative, the virus was not found in the specimen tested and your child may continue to attend school without interruption.  In a small number of cases, tests sometimes produce incorrect results – showing negative results (called “false negatives”) in people who have COVID-19 or showing positive results (called “false positives”) in people who don’t have COVID-19.  If your child tests negative but has symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have concerns about your child’s exposure to COVID-19, you should call your child’s doctor, a licensed medical authority, or your local health department.

Known Symptoms:
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0° Fahrenheit
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Shaking or exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting

This list does not include all possible symptoms.

Disclaimer:
While we realize precautions will be taken for the safety of students, please understand that neither the test administrator nor Taylor ISD, nor any of its trustees, officers, employees, or organization sponsors are liable for any accident or injuries that may occur to your child or yourself (if student age 18 or older), as a result of agreeing to the test.