Parent/Guardian,
At Hermon School District, we seek to maintain a safe environment for employees, students, families, and the community. To support those goals, we have partnered with Concentric by Ginkgo to provide an optional and free pooled testing program.
But first, we need your help! We are requesting each family to participate in this program to help safeguard the wellbeing of our entire school community. Please sign the consent request below and read the attached overview from Concentric to answer some questions you may have.
To get started, please fill out the consent form with your permission to perform a COVID-19
pooled test for your student. This process should take no more than 5 minutes to complete using a computer or a smartphone.
1. First, click here (https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent).
2. Then, enter this access code: QGFE84
3. Finally, enter your child’s information, and you’re done!
Note: If you need to provide consent for more than one child, please complete the process once for each child.
Only students with completed consent forms are able to participate in testing. Pools will be determined based on student schedule, grade level, and or team/club. If you do not want your family to participate, your student will not be included in the testing program. However, you may sign your student up at any time throughout the school year.
Our school is using a rapid antigen test to provide “quick tests” for any individual in a positive pool.” Bionex rapid testing will be used only for follow-up rapid testing in the event of a positive pool.
What is pooled testing?
Pooling can test 25 people using one test. All students in a class, pod, or cohort swab their own noses and place their swabs in a single tube (that’s the pooling step). The samples in that tube are then run as a single sample, using one test.
Why pooled testing? Why should my student participate? You know the old saying: “knowledge is power.” Tools like pooled testing empower us to make great decisions. Without knowing the specific prevalence of COVID-19 in our school, it’s tough for us to make informed decisions about safeguarding our school community, returning to school, or continuing in-person learning.
Testing empowers us to make these informed decisions about in-person learning and allows
students, teachers, and staff to come to school with peace of mind.
To learn more about pooled testing, read the attached overview of Concentric’s pooled testing
program and watch this video from another school using this service.
For more information, visit Concentric by Ginkgo’s website or reach out to
Nicole LaRochelle RN,
Hermon School District Pool Testing Nurse
nicole.larochelle@schools.hermon.net
Thank you,
Nicole LaRochelle RN