What is this form?
We are seeking your consent to testing your child for COVID-19 infection. The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE), working with NYC Health + Hospitals and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, has partnered with laboratories and other providers to test NYC DOE students, teachers, and staff members for COVID-19 infection.
*Merrick Academy Charter School will be participating in the bi-weekly testing of students in grades 1-5.
How often would you test my child?
We are arranging for our laboratory and provider testing partners to come to our school bi-weekly to test 10% of the students in grades 1st-5th. If you consent, your child may be selected for testing on one or more of these occasions. In addition, your child may also be tested throughout the school year (1) in accordance with state and city mandates, such as weekly testing in schools in Yellow Zones, or (2) if they exhibit one or more symptoms of COVID-19, or (3) if they are a close contact of a student, teacher, or staff person with COVID-19 infection.
What is the test?
If you consent, your child will receive a free diagnostic test for the COVID-19 virus. Collecting a specimen for testing involves inserting a small swab, similar to a Q-Tip, into the front of the nose.
How will I know if my child tests positive?
If your child has a specimen collected for testing at school, we will send information home with them to let you know. COVID 19 test results will generally be provided within 48-72 hours.
What should I do when I receive my child’s test results?
If your child’s test results are positive, please contact your child’s doctor immediately to review the test results and discuss what you should do next. You should keep your child at home and inform us by emailing
studenthealth@merrickacademy.org. If your child’s test results are negative, this means that the virus was not detected in your child’s specimen. Tests sometimes produce incorrect negative results (called “false negatives”) in people who 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 and contact your school. If you need help finding a doctor, call (844) NYC-4NYC.