DISD offering rapid tests

Dayton ISD notified parents of children in the district last week that they would be participating in a new statewide program that provides COVID19 rapid tests for students and staff that show symptoms while at school. As the virus has been on the rise access to timely testing methods has become more difficult to access, and take home tests do not qualify under rules from the Texas Education Agency, as testing must be completed at approved an testing facility.

“This program will allow DISD to test symptomatic individuals—including staff and students--and reduce the risk to our school community,” according to a letter to parents from the district.

The program will utilize the Binax-NOW test and results will be provided in approximately 15-minutes after administering the nasal swab.

“These tests have been shown to be highly accurate, with accuracy rates of 97-98% for symptomatic individuals,” according to the district.

Any student or teacher that is administered the test will do so at either their campus, or at the DISD Support Services Center. The district asks if a student is experiencing symptoms that they not be sent to school and that parents contact the campus nurse, or Nelly Tinkle at nelly.tinkle@daytonisd.net.

Any student that undergoes testing must have a permission slip signed by their parent before participating. Once a student is tested the parent will be notified and provided a copy of the test results.

The district will share data from the results with the school, local health officials and the state of Texas.

“The results will also be shared with the school/district and with the local health department to allow for public health reporting and to determine the stay-at-home period for individuals who test positive. Additionally, the total number of positive tests per school will also be shared with the Texas Department of State Health Services as is required by law,” according to the district.