Free COVID-19 Test Distribution at Schools

Dear RCSD Parents/Guardians, We have just received a very large shipment of iHealth COVID rapid antigen test kits courtesy of the State of New York. Governor Hochul had initially hoped to get these to school districts across the state in advance of reopening after winter break; we are incredibly grateful to have them no matter the timing. Given the current surge in COVID cases in Rye combined with a big increase in cold/flu sufferers, we think the right time to distribute these kits is now. We are planning to hold a drive-through test kit distribution tomorrow, Thursday, December 6, from 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM at RHS/RMS and the three elementary schools. We hope the timing of the test kit distribution will beat Friday’s anticipated weather event. You may pick up kits for all of your students at any of the locations below, regardless of which school they attend. At RHS/RMS Parents/guardians/caregivers should enter the RHS Science Wing Parking lot from Parsons Street. School District personnel will come to your car to check your student(s) names off a master list. One test per student, please. The tests come in packs of two – we will not split packs, so if you have three students, you will get two kits with four tests. We will distribute the kits until we run out. Please exit onto Milton Road. At Midland, Milton, and Osborn Schools Parents/guardians/caregivers should pull up using the driveways of all three schools. School District personnel will come to your car to check your student(s) names off a master list. One test per student, please. The tests come in packs of two – we will not split packs, so if you have three students, you will get two kits with four tests. We will distribute the kits until we run out. Time to Test Our best suggestion would be to administer the test on Saturday or Sunday prior to your child/ren returning to school next week. But if a child is experiencing symptoms, you should use the test at your convenience. It seems these tests are most accurate when symptoms are present. Should a child test positive, please contact the nurse at the student’s school for next steps, including quarantine information and registration for live streaming. Thank you, and may you be well! Sincerely, Eric Byrne, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools