2023-2024 BTCS COVID-19 Protocols
COVID-19 TESTING
Bristol Tennessee City Schools offers free, COVID-19 testing for students and staff members. COVID-19 testing in schools not only helps prevent the spread of the virus, but it also helps students and staff stay healthy and able to continue learning, working, and enjoying other important activities!'
Who qualifies for testing?
- BTCS staff and students who have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Vaccinated or unvaccinated non-household close contacts or household close contacts able to separate (5+ days after contact).
- Vaccinated or unvaccinated household contact unable to separate (5 days after contact) and 5 days after the end of the case’s isolation (after day 15).
Where does testing take place?
Testing takes place at the following locations:
Each School
Testing is conducted by nurses at each school’s clinic during school hours. Students will not be tested without parental consent. (See consent form information below.) Parents will be given the option to be present during testing; however, it is not required. Even with written consent on file, parental consent will always be confirmed before a test is administered.
All COVID-19 testing appointments at Viking Academy must be scheduled by phone. We do not schedule appointments online. Since staff and students must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for testing, it is helpful to speak with staff members or parents/guardians prior to scheduling an appointment.
Testing is available at Viking Academy, Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 2:30 p.m. by appointment only. Viking Academy is located at 1855 Volunteer Parkway. Upon arrival for your appointment, you will call the Viking Academy clinic and inform them you are ready to be tested. The nurse will come out to your vehicle to test you. Do not exit your vehicle for testing.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
(423) 793-7911
To schedule an online appointment for a test at the BTCS Administration Building, call the COVID-19 Testing Appointment Line at (423) 793-7911, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments may be scheduled up to five days in advance. After scheduling your appointment, please complete the online Consent Form here.
Parents/guardians will be required to show a government-issued photo ID (i.e. driver’s license) prior to their child being tested at the BTCS Administration Building. However, we recognize it may not always be possible for the parents/guardians to be present. Therefore, on the consent form, parents/guardians will be asked to provide names of other individuals who have consent to bring their child for testing. The adult who accompanies the child will be required to show a photo ID.
All staff and students tested must have a signed consent form on file with the school district. Consent forms may be completed online in advance of needing testing and are valid for the entire 2022-2023 school year. If parents think they may want their child tested if they meet one of the above testing criteria in the future, it will expedite the process to already have a signed consent form on file. Once a signed consent form is on file, the school nurse will just need to contact the parent for verbal consent prior to testing. If you are unable to complete the consent form online, please contact the nurse at your child’s school to obtain a paper copy.
Complete Online Consent Form
How is the testing done?
The COVID-19 tests are free, quick, and easy. We use a viral test, known as an antigen (rapid) test, which returns a result in as little as 15 minutes. The test involves using a nasal cotton swab placed inside the tip of the nose. The test is not painful. We do not use the longer swabs that reach higher into the nose. This test will tell if you have a current COVID-19 infection, regardless of whether you have symptoms.
Who will conduct the test?
A school nurse, licensed by the State of Tennessee, who has been trained to use this test, will collect the specimen and perform the testing process. Testing results will be shared only for public health purposes, which may include notifying close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and taking other steps to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in your school community. Information sharing and notifying of contacts will be done in a way that protects your privacy. Sharing of information will only be done in accordance with applicable law and policies protecting privacy and the security of your data.
What if the COVID-19 test is positive?
As with other illnesses, students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 may return once they are 24 hours fever free (without medication) with improving symptoms. Should a parent/guardian choose to follow the TDH recommendations for isolation/quarantine*, the student’s absence will be marked excused once the parent provides one of the following:
- Doctor’s excuse
- Confirmed positive test result
What if the COVID-19 test is negative?
Parents should continue to monitor their child for a temperature greater than 100.0, cough, congestion, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, headache, or body aches each day. If any of these symptoms are present the student should stay home and be fever free (without medication) for 24 hours with symptom improvement before returning to school. School nurses are available to answer specific questions related to individual circumstances.
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. Getting vaccinated helps prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.
If you have input regarding the COVID-19 Operating Procedures, please email [email protected].