- Federal Way Public Schools
- COVID-19 Resources and Information
- COVID Testing in School
Reopening Plans and Learning Resources
COVID-19 Testing in School
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Federal Way Public Schools will now offer COVID-19 testing for scholars at school as part of our partnership with Public Health Seattle and King County and Health Commons Project’s “Learn to Return” program. With parent consent, scholars can receive two types of testing: Rapid Antigen or PCR testing. These on-site testing options will enable our district to assess COVID-like symptoms faster, leading to quicker diagnosis, which will ultimately help minimize exposure and risk to our scholars, staff, and families.
COVID-19 Testing Protocols
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Testing is available for scholars and staff who are exposed during outbreaks in specific cohorts, such as classrooms, teams, performing arts and clubs.
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Testing is available when there are household exposures, which often result in prolonged and repeated contact with positive individuals.
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Testing is available for those who are at high risk of severe disease.
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Potentially exposed individuals can continue to attend work, class, childcare, and participate in extracurricular activities while completing a testing protocol.
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Individuals completing a testing protocol should continue to monitor for symptoms and are encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask when around others.
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Households in Washington State can get at-home tests from retail stores or the Say Yes! COVID Test program
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Diagnostic Testing for Symptomatic Scholars
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With parent consent, scholars who develop COVID-19-like symptoms while at school be given a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) shallow nasal swab test before being sent home. The test is sent to a lab and results are available within 48-72 hours.
The PCR diagnostic test is only available to scholars who develop one or more of the following symptoms while in school:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Diagnostic testing is only available for scholars who start to develop symptoms at school. Please keep your scholars home if they have any symptoms and have them tested by a health care provider or at a community clinic.
How to Register Your Scholar for Testing
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You will be contacted by your scholar’s school if a situation arises where testing at school would be an option. You will need to give your verbal consent and written consent before any testing is done at school. You will also be asked to register your scholar for the type of testing they need.
Registration Instructions for the Close Contact Screening to "Test to Stay" (Rapid Test)
If your scholar is identified as a close contact to someone at school you will be contacted by someone from your scholar’s school. If you would like to participate in testing you would then complete the following steps:
- Read the information about the BinaxNow Covid Rapid Antigen Test and BD Veritor Rapid Antigen Test. Your child will be provided one of these tests, based on availability.
- Give consent for FWPS to test your scholar by filling out the Consent to Test Form.
- Register your scholar for testing at their school site. Registration links can be found below under "Rapid Testing Registration Links By School Site."
Registration Instructions for the Diagnostic Test for Symptomatic Scholars (PCR Test)
If your Scholar is identified as developing the symptoms above at school you will be contacted by someone from your scholar’s school. If you would like to participate in testing you would then complete the following steps:
- Read the information about the Curative PCR Test.
- Give consent for FWPS to test your scholar by filling out the Consent to Test Form.
- Register your scholar for testing at their school site. Registration links can be found below under "PCR Testing Registration Links By School Site."
