San Marcos CISD To Implement Phased-In Rapid COVID Testing

Staff Reports

The San Marcos Independent School District announced intentions to begin offering antibody testing to students and staff.

The new BinaxNOW Rapid COVID-19 testing will begin on a phased-in approach on November 30.

According to officials, the decision came with guidance from the Texas Department of Emergency Management, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hays County, and the Texas Education Agency.

Rapid antigen-based testing will potentially give SMCISD the ability to quickly identify and isolate positive individuals before they can transmit the virus to others.

In turn, this will help reduce the number of absences for individuals waiting on test results and help to fast track treatment and quarantine for positive individuals and their close contacts, according to SMCISD.

The district said participation in testing is entirely voluntary and according to each individual’s preference.

The rapid testing will be available for symptomatic staff and students; those under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian permission before the testing can be performed.

“This program is entirely optional for students and staff, although we hope that symptomatic individuals choose to have the test to keep our schools as healthy & safe as possible,” SMCISD said. “The tests are being offered in addition to existing safety protocols such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent disinfection of surfaces.”

Families can find more information about testing as well as permission slips to participate here. Signed permission slips should be returned to a student’s campus nurse.

Permission slips and information can also be found below. 

Testing Information Document (Documento de información de prueba aquí)

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Permission Slip (Hoja de permiso aquí)