NURSING NEWS

In an effort to help our school community better understand the benefits and process around pooled testing, our district nurses have put together this newsletter which includes all the relevant information to make an informed decision. Deb Malia, RN, School Nurse for Saco Schools, and Krystal Taschereau, School Nurse for Biddeford Schools, are featured in the video below providing an overview of pooled testing, a weekly flow chart, an easy-to-read quarantine guide, and addressing frequently asked questions.

Consents are required to be enrolled in pooled testing (One Form Per Child). Simply follow the instructions below for the Online Consent Form or you may choose to print the paper form and send it to the School Nurse (or request a copy). Individuals who participate in pooled testing are exempt from quarantine in the classroom, bus, sports, or other school-related activities should they be identified as a close contact.

If you do not want your child to participate in pooled testing BUT you want to provide consent for them to receive a rapid COVID test (BinaxNOW) if they have symptoms while at school, you must complete this online consent form linked here. If you do not consent to either, then there is no need to complete either form.

If you have any questions, please follow up with the School Nurse listed below.

1. Click on the link below to provide consent to Concentric, the company handling our pooled testing. Complete one consent form for each child.

2. Enter your child’s school-specific access code:

• Biddeford High School, COT, APC & Central Office: B8VTHG

• Biddeford Middle School: QFR9CW

• Biddeford Intermediate School & Transportation: 5U5KDT

• Biddeford Primary School: ANE1H2

• John F. Kennedy School: 5B36J6

• Dayton Consolidated School: ZAAG5M
  
  

3. Finally, enter your child’s information, and you’re done!

If you do not want your child to participate in pooled testing BUT you want to provide consent for them to receive a rapid COVID test (BinaxNOW) if they have symptoms while at school, you must complete the below consent form.

Biddeford Schools:

• John F. Kennedy School (PreK-K) - Jessica Wasco, RN

• 207-282-4134 or jwasco@biddefordschools.me

• Biddeford Primary School (1&2) - Cassie Jacques, RN

• 207-282-8285 or cjacques@biddefordschools.me

• Biddeford Intermediate School (3&4) - Alexandria Oliver, RN

• 207-282-5957 or aoliver@biddefordschools.me

• Biddeford Middle School (5-7 & STEM) - Gloria Fickett, RN

• 207-282-6400 or gfickett@biddefordschools.me

• Biddeford High School/APC/COT (8-12) - Krystal Taschereau, RN

• 207-282-1596 or ktaschereau@biddefordschools.me

Dayton:

• Dayton Consolidated School (PreK-5) - Jennifer Aguirre, RN

• 207-499-2283 or jaguirre@daytonschooldept.org

For more information on our pooled testing provider, Concentric by Gingko, visit their website at www.concentric by ginkgo.com. The website includes FAQs and a blog, www.concentricbyginkgo.com/blog, which often answers questions in longer form.