• Children participating are less likely to need to be quarantined

• The pooled test is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which is considered the “gold standard” of COVID-19 testing. It can detect the virus at incredibly low levels, catching COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals before they become symptomatic or infectious.

• Pooled PCR testing is another tool, along with masking, handwashing, and isolating symptomatic individuals, to keep communities safe, reduce transmission, and build confidence that it’s safe to go to school.

• Pooled testing provides additional information to school buildings and the district about the prevalence of the virus in our school community.

No. Pooled testing is a voluntary program. Parents must sign a consent form in order for their child to participate. However, students who do not participate and who are identified as close contacts will need to quarantine and be out of school for that period of time.

Staff in elementary school and middle schools can participate if they are available to provide a sample for classroom pool.

One day per week, each student who is enrolled in the program will be given a nasal swab. Each student will put the swab just inside each nostril, and then all the swabs will be placed in one testing tube.

Testing an entire classroom or cohort usually takes about 10-15 minutes and speeds up after the first day. Each pool will consist of samples from 10 to 20 people.

They are short nasal swabs that go just a half an inch into the nostril – they are similar to cotton swabs. If students have trouble performing the swabbing, the school nurse or other trained staff member can help. However, the test is so easy that kindergarteners typically can do it. The company we are partnering with in our pooled testing program, Concentric, likes to say: “If you can pick your nose, you can take this test!”

The tube will be sent to a lab. In about 48 hours, the school nurse will see the results of the test.

If the tube, or “pool,” is negative, nothing needs to be done. The class will continue to be tested on a regular weekly basis.

If a tube is positive, each person in that group must have another test. The school nurse will do a rapid BinaxNOW test at school for each individual.

• Each student that has a negative BinaxNOW test can return to class.

• Any student who has a positive BinaxNOW test result must stay in the isolation area of the nurse’s office and their parent/guardian will be notified. The parent/guardian must come to school to pick up their child. A student who is positive for COVID cannot stay in school and cannot ride the bus home. Please have a plan to pick up your child from school during school hours in the event your child becomes ill. Be sure the school has your most up-to-date contact information.

The pooled testing program is funded by the Maine Department of Education and is free to students and staff who participate.

The Portland Public Schools is introducing the program in those grades because those students currently are not eligible to be vaccinated against COVID. We may later expand it to other grades.