December 3, 2020
Dear North Babylon Families,
I hope this letter finds you safe and well. Over the past few days several questions have surfaced regarding specific guidelines of conducting COVID-19 tests in our buildings when
being identified as a yellow, orange or red zone. By now you should have received an invitation to complete a survey regarding your willingness to consent to testing within the schools. Please see below regarding some changes that have been implemented by New York State.
Testing Clarifications:
● The testing used for the on site school testing program is the BINAXNOW testing protocol. The State has committed to supply as many BinaxNOW tests as needed.
● The test is a swab in the lower part of the nose, specifically the nostril area. A NASAL swab is inserted into the anterior (front) portion of the nostril ONLY. (This is not the test that goes up to top of the nasal cavity)
● Students and staff may use an offsite provider to have the test taken.
● The swabbing will be done by the individual person when age appropriate, (if not age appropriate, it will be done by a trained medical professional)
● If the District does not have 20% of the onsite population participate in testing, the
District will be required to close.
Willingness to Consent Survey:
The survey is still open: Willingness To Test Survey .
Please be reminded that participation in testing is voluntary and you may change your
‘willingness’ at any time. Micro Cluster Zone Updates: At a recent press conference, Governor Cuomo modified the criteria for Micro Cluster Zone identification. The following changes are listed below:
● Testing in a Yellow Zone Testing requirements in a Yellow Zone remain the same. Schools must test 20% of total in-person students and staff bi-weekly until we are able to demonstrate that the school infection rate is below the Yellow Zone 7-Day Rolling average. Once this is accomplished no further testing is necessary unless the zone designation becomes more restrictive.
● Testing in an Orange and Red Zone
○ Orange Zone - 20% of the onsite population over a month.
○ Red Zone - 30% of the onsite population over a month.
○ Testing is on a rolling basis monthly until the zone designation changes.
○ The requirement for schools to close for four days before implementing testing has been removed. Under the current plan schools can stay open.
○ Schools also do NOT have to test 100% of in-person students and staff before implementing the testing. Schools have one month to accomplish this testing.
The Chart below summarizes the changes and these new modifications make it easier for schools to accomplish school-based testing. Other points include:
● These protocols are the minimum acceptable, however, local districts may choose to increase levels of testing.
● The State may make adjustments, for specific Districts, for special circumstances (Additional support may be offered for circumstances that make it difficult for a district to meet these requirements).
● Pool Testing permitted - This is a process wherein multiple swabs are combined to test a pool of people at one time. Negative results are accepted. Positive results require additional individual tests for everyone in that “Pool.”
● Local Districts can choose to close at levels under state mandatory closure, but state advice is to keep schools open when safe, especially for grades K-8. If you have any specific questions please email Barbara Butler, District COVID Safety
Coordinator at bbutler@northbabylonschools.net.
Please remember to consistently implement safety protocols: stay socially distant, wear a mask and use proper hand hygiene. There is no more important time then now to double down on our efforts to keep our community safe.
Glen A, Eschbach
Superintendent
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