COVID Testing

Dear Onalaska ISD Parents and Guardians,

In Onalaska ISD, we are committed to doing all we can to keep staff and students healthy and safe. With this goal in mind, we are pleased to share that we will be taking part in a statewide program offering rapid tests for use in schools. This program will allow OISD to test symptomatic individuals—including staff and students--and reduce the risk to our school community.

What COVID-19 tests are used in this program?

This program uses the BinaxNOW tests, which provides results in 15 minutes and are administered using a nasal swab in the front area of the nostril. These tests have been shown to be highly accurate, with accuracy rates of 97-98% for symptomatic individuals.

Who can be tested?

Onalaska ISD will test any student or staff member who is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The test completely voluntary and is at no cost to the parent/guardian.

How will the information from the tests be used?

If your child is experiencing symptoms you will be contacted and with your permission Onalaska ISD will administer the BinaxNOW test. The test administrator will also share the results after the test has been administered. Additionally, the student’s parent or guardian will receive test results via text and email within 24 hours.

The results will also be shared with the campus/district and with the local health department to allow for public health reporting and contact tracing and to determine the stay-at-home period for individuals who test positive. Additionally, the total number of positive tests per school will also be shared with the Texas Department of State Health Services as is required by law.

What happens next?

Tests are available to all students who are showing symptoms of COVID-19.  To participate, parents must complete a permission form at the time of testing.

If your child is experiencing symptoms and you would like for him/her to be tested, please do NOT send him/her to campus. Instead, please contact your child’s campus to schedule a test.

If you have additional questions, you can view an FAQ here K-12 Covid Testing or contact aroberts@onalaskaisd.net

Thank you,

Anthony Roberts

Superintendent of Schools

Onalaska ISD