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Voluntary take-home rapid antigen screening kits for students

December 16, 2021

​In an effort to promote a safer return to the classroom after the winter break, on behalf of the Government of Ontario, the Lambton Kent District School Board is providing voluntary take-home rapid antigen screening kits to every student participating in in-person learning.

The rapid antigen screening kits are intended for use by any child that attends a publicly funded school, regardless of their vaccination status. This testing option will not be available to students who have been learning remotely since September 2021.

Please note, your child's participation in this rapid antigen screening is voluntary. Students are not required to participate in order to return to the classroom after the winter break. All students are reminded to complete and follow the directions of the Ontario COVID-19 school and child care screening prior to attending school.

It also is important to remember that we all need to continue with key public health strategies that have been effective in keeping this pandemic under control, including staying home when sick, getting tested if you have symptoms, washing your hands frequently and wearing a face covering as required.

Please read the important information below prior to using the rapid antigen screening kit.

When to Use the Voluntary Rapid Antigen Screening Kit:

  • For students who choose to use rapid antigen screening kits, it is recommended students conduct the rapid antigen tests every 3-4 days over the holiday break, on every Monday and Thursday beginning December 23, until all five tests have been used.
  • Rapid antigen screening kits are only to be used when a child is asymptomatic (i.e. does not have any symptoms of COVID-19 and has not had any exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19).
  • Anyone with symptoms or who is identified as a close contact of a case should still get PCR testing. Rapid antigen screening tests should not be used as a substitute for PCR tests for people with symptoms or for people who are close contacts of cases.

Using the Voluntary Take-Home Rapid Antigen Screening Kit:

What to do after your test:

  • You will know the outcome of the test within 15 minutes. Even if your child's test results are negative, your child should complete and follow the directions of the Ontario COVID-19 school and child care screening prior to attending school. They should also continue to adhere to all relevant public health guidance, such as guidance on gathering, distancing, and masking.
  • A positive result on a rapid antigen screening test is considered a “preliminary positive." A child that receives a positive result on a rapid antigen screening test should seek a confirmatory PCR test as soon as possible (ideally within 48 hours) at a local testing site or pharmacy that offers testing and isolate themselves until the result of that confirmatory PCR test are known.

Additional questions or concerns about COVID-19 can be referred to Chatham-Kent Public Health or Lambton Public Health or your health care professional. Thank you for your continued support of the safe operation of schools.

Sincerely,

John Howitt
Director
Lambton Kent District School Board

Read a letter to parents/guardians from the Minister of Education (English version/French version)

Click here to download the Voluntary Self-Screening Instructions.

Contact

Ridgetown District High School
9 Harold St N, Ridgetown, ON, N0P 2C0
519-674-5171
Principal: Bernadette Bruette
Bus Zones: 6, 7BUS STATUS

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