EagleNation,
The Bethalto School District has partnered with the University of Illinois (SHIELD) program to assist with our efforts to monitor and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and community. Non-invasive testing for COVID-19 will be performed on a voluntary basis at each of our buildings and is free to all students and staff at every grade level. At this time, all students are able to participate in the testing process. Parents have already been given the opportunity to OPT OUT. If you decide at this point to OPT OUT, please send the form directly to your child's office.
Important details regarding SHIELD:
According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), “screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 can support in-person learning by identifying infected persons who are asymptomatic and without known or suspected exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Screening tests are performed to identify persons who may be contagious so that measures can be taken to prevent further transmission.”
We will test one day a week in each building, but the process may differ at each of our buildings based on daily schedules, meal times, and availability of staff and space. Details about testing dates and locations, will be shared by your building. We aim to begin offering testing in our buildings the week of September 13th.
Why is testing done weekly?
Testing at least once a week maximizes our ability to find infections early and break the transmission chain. Testing, in combination with effective contact tracing, will give us the ability to monitor asymptomatic cases and the transmission rates in our buildings. The goal of this testing program, in addition to other mitigation strategies in place in schools, is to keep students learning in the classroom.
Should vaccinated individuals opt out?
According to the SHIELD program FAQ, individuals who are fully vaccinated typically do not need to be tested. However, the CDC recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals should complete the same opt out process if they do not wish to participate.
How will I know if my child tests positive?
You will not hear anything if your child is negative. If your child is positive, you will receive a phone call from the school district and/or a member of the third party team, MedCall.
Who will receive my child’s test results?
In addition to you receiving your child’s test results, the school district, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Madison County Health Department will also receive your child’s test results, consistent with IDPH guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code.
How to Opt Out of SHIELD Testing
If you would like to OPT OUT of the SHIELD saliva testing program, please complete and sign this OPT OUT form. An original signature from a parent or guardian is required. Please turn in your completed forms to the front office of your student(s)’ building. You can also change your mind after testing begins. Just follow the same process and complete the form and return to your child's office.
If you have additional questions about the SHIELD testing process or your student(s)’ return to school, please email return@bethalto.org. We will endeavor to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience.
The Bethalto School District has partnered with the University of Illinois (SHIELD) program to assist with our efforts to monitor and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and community. Non-invasive testing for COVID-19 will be performed on a voluntary basis at each of our buildings and is free to all students and staff at every grade level. At this time, all students are able to participate in the testing process. Parents have already been given the opportunity to OPT OUT. If you decide at this point to OPT OUT, please send the form directly to your child's office.
Important details regarding SHIELD:
- The SHIELD test is a free, non-invasive diagnostic test for the COVID-19 virus conducted by collecting a saliva (spit) deposit in under five minutes, which provides results in 24 hours.
- SHIELD testing was developed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has a sensitivity rate of 97% and an accuracy rate of 99%
- The goal of the testing program is to reduce the number of students and staff who may come into close contact with COVID-19 positive individuals. Additionally, the program will help identify those individuals who are showing COVID-19 symptoms due to an alternative medical issue or diagnosis. Ultimately, this should result in fewer exclusions and shorter quarantine times.
- Individuals should not eat, drink or chew gum within 60 minutes of providing a saliva sample.
- Families will be notified of any positive test results directly by either the district’s third party vendor, MedCall or a district employee.
- Access an FAQ from the University of Illinois SHIELD program here.
- Informational Video: SHIELD Illinois K-12 Schools Collection Examples
- Informational Video: SHIELD Illinois: How the Saliva-Based PCR Test Works
- Informational Article: More than 1,200 IL K-12 Schools have signed up for SHILED Testing
According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), “screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 can support in-person learning by identifying infected persons who are asymptomatic and without known or suspected exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Screening tests are performed to identify persons who may be contagious so that measures can be taken to prevent further transmission.”
We will test one day a week in each building, but the process may differ at each of our buildings based on daily schedules, meal times, and availability of staff and space. Details about testing dates and locations, will be shared by your building. We aim to begin offering testing in our buildings the week of September 13th.
Why is testing done weekly?
Testing at least once a week maximizes our ability to find infections early and break the transmission chain. Testing, in combination with effective contact tracing, will give us the ability to monitor asymptomatic cases and the transmission rates in our buildings. The goal of this testing program, in addition to other mitigation strategies in place in schools, is to keep students learning in the classroom.
Should vaccinated individuals opt out?
According to the SHIELD program FAQ, individuals who are fully vaccinated typically do not need to be tested. However, the CDC recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals should complete the same opt out process if they do not wish to participate.
How will I know if my child tests positive?
You will not hear anything if your child is negative. If your child is positive, you will receive a phone call from the school district and/or a member of the third party team, MedCall.
Who will receive my child’s test results?
In addition to you receiving your child’s test results, the school district, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Madison County Health Department will also receive your child’s test results, consistent with IDPH guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code.
How to Opt Out of SHIELD Testing
If you would like to OPT OUT of the SHIELD saliva testing program, please complete and sign this OPT OUT form. An original signature from a parent or guardian is required. Please turn in your completed forms to the front office of your student(s)’ building. You can also change your mind after testing begins. Just follow the same process and complete the form and return to your child's office.
- If you would like your student(s) to participate in the SHIELD saliva testing program, no further action is required.
If you have additional questions about the SHIELD testing process or your student(s)’ return to school, please email return@bethalto.org. We will endeavor to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience.