Monadnock Regional School District Beginning Symptomatic COVID-19 Testing Program

SWANZEY — Superintendent Lisa A. Witte announces that the Monadnock Regional School District will begin conducting COVID-19 testing of members of the school community who display symptoms during the school day.

The district has partnered with the University of New Hampshire to conduct testing of symptomatic students and staff. Testing is not available for family members. Testing for students and staff is available on a voluntary basis, and parents/guardians have been provided with a consent form to complete if they so choose. Students will not be tested for COVID-19 without parent/guardian consent.

Tests will be administered by trained, designated employees of the district and the program is contingent on the availability of kits from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Testing is not currently available for asymptomatic individuals.

“Overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic requires a multi-faceted approach that includes continuing to wear masks for as long as it remains prudent to do so, getting vaccinated and conducting testing in a timely manner when members of our school community show signs of illness,” Superintendent Witte said. “I am hopeful our students’ families will take advantage of this opportunity to get ahead of the spread of COVID-19 and move us closer to a sense of normalcy.”

District families are asked to be mindful of their child’s wellness, and students who are displaying symptoms of any illness should be kept home from school until they are better. Parents should not send sick children to school in anticipation that they will be tested upon their arrival. Parents should instead keep their child home and notify their school if their child is displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

Families may opt into or out of the symptomatic testing program at any time.

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