RCSD adopting Test to Stay

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester City School District will start offering Test to Stay for its students who are not fully vaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 at school on Monday, Jan. 31.

Other school districts in Monroe County have already adopted the program, but RCSD was holding out, citing staffing concerns.

The district says families who are eligible to participate in the program will be notified directly by the school nurse.

Tests will have to be conducted at the Wilson Foundation Academy at 200 Genesee Street between 6:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

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There was a Rochester School Board meeting Thursday night. The agenda for the meeting lists a proposal to enter into an agreement with Walgreens to purchase PCR tests for staff and students between Jan. 31 and June 30 for as much as $2,053,632, anticipating reimbursement from Monroe County.

At the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Lesli Myers-Small made one rule clear when it comes to how Test to Stay will work in the RCSD.

"Participation in test to stay only allows a child to come to school for the instructional day," Myers-Small said. "Just as a reminder, students cannot participate in extracurricular activities for a full 10 days past the date of exposure."

One RCSD staff member named Kristen wanted to know if students will be tested repeatedly and she also had some concerns about the one testing location.

"For students that take the bus, how would they get to Wilson Foundation, and then back home to get their bus to get to their home school?" she asked.

Her questions went unanswered during the meeting.