Test-to-Stay Program (1/21/2022)

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    Dear parents and guardians,

     

    On December 20, 2021, the Ulster County Department of Health (UCDOH) adopted the New York State Department of Health's (NYSDOH) Test-to-Stay program for school districts in Ulster County. The New Paltz Central School District (NPCSD) will be implementing the Test-to-Stay program following the guidelines issued by the NYSDOH.

    The Test-to-Stay program (TTS) allows unvaccinated, asymptomatic close contacts (who were exposed in the school setting) to remain in school for in-person instruction by testing negative two times over a specified five (5) day period. This voluntary program has the following conditions and guidelines: 

     

    a) Individuals identified as close contacts must still quarantine outside of the school day (TTS participants may not participate in extracurricular or community activities until after the five (5) day period has concluded). 

     

    b) Vaccinated close contacts are exempt from quarantine and do not need to participate in TTS. 

     

    c) Test to Stay is only for students who have had exposures in the school setting (as determined by the school nurse). Exposures outside of school times are not eligible for the Test-to-Stay program. 

     

    d) Participation in the Test-to-Stay program is voluntary. If a parent of a student who is identified as a close contact chooses to not participate, the student will be required to quarantine for five (5) days. 

     

    e) Families do not have to pay for test kits to participate. An individual rapid test kit shall be provided to every student who wishes to participate in TTS so that students can test at home. 

     

    f) The parent or guardian must take a picture of the negative test result (see protocols below) and email it to the building principal and assistant principal before the start of the school day. Please email New Paltz High School or New Paltz Middle School by 7:15 am and Duzine Elementary  or Lenape Elementary by 8:00 am. 

     

    g) The test must be conducted on the days indicated. Results of a negative test must be received before the school day begins. Anyone testing positive must isolate per existing procedures. 

     

     h) All positive test results must be reported immediately to the principal/assistant principal and the UCDOH. Asymptomatic and symptomatic students that test positive will not be allowed to attend school and will be required to quarantine for a minimum of five (5) days. 

     

    i) Individuals participating in the TTS program are allowed to ride the school bus to and from school with proper masking; however they must be quarantined outside of school instruction times (such as afterschool, weekends, and holidays) when the five-day TTS period is still active. No community or extracurricular clubs or activities are permitted. 

     

    Please be advised that any student that tests positive must be isolated for a minimum of five (5) days (regardless of vaccination status) from the date of collection or date of symptoms (the specific date is determined by the Department of Health). If symptoms persist then further isolation will be required, otherwise they can return to school after their original isolation period. 

     

    Test-to-Stay Protocols 

    If you are unvaccinated, have been identified as a close contact (by the district or school nurse), and you are asymptomatic, please note the following protocols and conditions: 

     

    • Parents or guardians must give permission for their child to participate in TTS.   Permission can be granted by completing the Test to Stay Permission Form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.  
    • Your exposure must have taken place in the school setting and you were identified through contact tracing.
    • If you are currently asymptomatic, understand that if you develop symptoms, you will be asked to leave school immediately. 
    • You will follow the schedule below, testing twice during the five (5) day period following the identified exposure. 
    • The parent or guardian must take a picture of the negative test results on Day 2 and Day 5 and email it to the building principal and assistant principal before the start of the school day.  
    • In the event of a positive test result your child will be required to quarantine and cannot attend school.  Please notify the building principal, assistant principal and If your child rides the bus to or from school, please contact the Director of Transportation, Maureen Ryan by phone at 845-256-4072, or by email at mryan@newpaltz.k12.ny.us .  

     

    If you have any questions, please contact your child’s building principal, whose contact information can be found below. 

  • Ulster County Department of Health COVID line: https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/hometest or call (845) 443-8888.

     

    The Test-to-Stay program is intended to reduce unnecessary exclusion from school. It is still very important that families continue to keep children who are sick home from school. Making good choices to reduce exposure and infection, handwashing, social distancing, vaccination, and testing are useful tools to help us reduce the spread and be able to keep in-person learning happening. 

     

    Regards,

     

    Angela Urbina-Medina

    Superintendent of Schools