Pursuant to its authority under
New York Public Health Law and related regulations, the Monroe County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) on November 24, 2021 has determined that schools in Monroe County may implement “Test to Stay” (TTS) subject to the approval of MCDPH of the BOCES implementation plan. BOCES 2’s plan was approved and the program will begin the week of December 13.
The purpose of TTS is to allow unvaccinated students who have been exposed to COVID-19 and are under a mandatory DOH quarantine order, to attend in-person classes if:
- The student is symptom free; and
- The school has received consent for the student to undergo daily testing; and
- The student tests negative on each school day for seven (7) days after exposure
Vaccinated students who have been exposed and are asymptomatic, can remain in school unless they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The BOCES 2 TTS plan is for students in the Department of Exceptional Children and Westside Academy. CTE students will be tested at their home schools.
Test to Stay is one of three types of student testing that BOCES 2 will be conducting in order to keep students in-person as much as possible. The other two are:
- Weekly Screening Testing for unvaccinated students. Currently, students whose parents have opted them into the program are tested once every 7 days at their school or program. This type of testing began on 11/5/21. This is for students in the Department of Exceptional Children and Westside Academy. CTE students are tested at their home schools.
- Return-to-School Testing using a rapid PCR test that produces results in 30 minutes. This type of testing is specifically designed for vaccinated and unvaccinated students who have experienced symptoms and have been out of school but their symptoms have improved. Parents can make an appointment to bring their student to WEMOCO and be tested. If their results are negative, they can go to school. This type of testing will begin the week of December 13 and is open to all BOCES students.