Superintendents from Owensboro Catholic Schools along with Owensboro and Daviess County public schools on Monday jointly announced more details about the “test-to-stay” program and its aim to keep as many students in schools as possible.
The full video announcement can be viewed here.
Beginning Oct. 11, all three school systems will begin the program as they partner with Ethos Labs based in Newport, Ky.
The plan will allow students and staff who would previously have been quarantined due to a positive contact the ability to be tested for COVID-19 over a period of time and remain in school as long as they remain negative. The program will test students and staff with an FDA-approved rapid test.
This option is free for use for students and staff.
In order for students to participate, parents or guardians need to provide consent for their student(s) to be tested for COVID-19. That consent form can be found here.
According to OPS Superintendent Dr. Matthew Constant, families can disenroll from the program.
OCS Superintendent David Kessler said, “If a student or staff member is deemed a close contact, testing will be required for five days and students will be allowed to remain in school as long as they are negative.”
According to DCPS Superintendent Matt Robbins, should a student receive a positive result from the rapid test, they will then take a PCR test to confirm their status and will be sent home until the results come back. He said those results should be back in 24 hours.
Ethos Labs is also providing vaccination clinics to those willing and eligible throughout the remainder of the school year.
