January 13, 2022
Dear Families and Students,
The Taylor County Board of Education at their meeting held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, determined we would remain masked through February 28, 2022 in all facilities and buses. It was also determined that we would implement with the Grafton Taylor County Health Department the Test to Stay program. The goal of this collaborative effort is to keep as many students and staff in school daily and not have to quarantine contacts at the rate previously used throughout the COVID-19 response. We will begin this program Tuesday, January 18, 2022 as long as we have the attached Consent Form filled out and signed by a parent or legal guardian.
The implementation of this additional strategy will allow staff/students identified as a close contact to test two times within a 48-hour period and as long as negative, may continue in-person learning/instruction as long as they remain asymptomatic. A well fitted mask should also be worn following an exposure through day 10 as outlined in the latest guidance from the WVDE in conjunction with the WVDHHR. The testing will be conducted at the Grafton Taylor County Health Department.
This test to stay strategy is voluntary and no student or staff member will be forced to comply. The Consent Form attached asks you to give or deny consent. The four (4) questions in the middle of the form do not need to be answered until the time of testing. A spreadsheet will be maintained by the health department of those who have given consent and when contacted will give further instructions regarding testing. A student or staff member should not arrive to school without complying with the necessary testing requirements.
The start date of January 18, 2022 puts a rush on the need to return forms to your child's school. Please fill the attached form out completely, choose whether you want them to participate and return Friday, January 14, 2022. If you want to participate and cannot return the form by Friday, please return at your earliest convenience but no later than Tuesday, January 18, 2022. You may pull or add your consent at any time.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide a safe and healthy learning environment.
Warmest regards,
Christy Miller, Superintendent
Click Here to view and print the Consent Form.