COMMACK, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Some Long Island school districts are refusing to send COVID-19 testing kids home with students after they return from holiday break.
The Bayport-Blue Point, Commack and Huntington school districts sent letters to parents this week confirming students would not be sent home with the testing kids, according to Newsday.
Long Island is expected to receive over 420,000 rapid tests for schools, as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s test-to-stay program, which will allow students to remain in school after possible COVID-19 exposure, so long as they test negative.
A letter to parents from Commack interim Superintendent David Flatley obtained by the paper, said that the school district would “determine a process for distribution based upon the need.” He added that testing kits will not be sent home in children’s backpacks.
Meanwhile, Newsday also reported Huntington schools will receive the tests and they will be inventoried to be made available for pickup, rather than sent home with students.
Both Commack and Huntington school officials said they were awaiting guidance from the Suffolk County Department of Health regarding “test-to-stay,” according to the paper.
Hochul last week vowed that schools will open on time after the holidays and stressed that testing would play a crucial role in keeping classrooms all over the state open.
She said “test-to-stay” is a key part of her plan for schools and has urged all school districts to make COVID-19 testing kits readily available for all students.
“We want their kids to go back to school, that there'll be tests waiting for them, that they can take them home in their backpack,’ Hochul said. “If someone in school tests positive, they don't all have to stay at home if they're asymptomatic, not been exposed directly.”
The “test-to-stay” method has already been approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Newsday reported the Suffolk County Department of Health is also endorsing the method, but will leave the decision to participate up to individual districts.
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