The Mercer Island School District is introducing an optional universal COVID-19 testing initiative before spring break, April 11-15.

According to a Mercer Island PTA Council notice, the district’s goal is: “To minimize the transmission of variants of the COVID-19 virus in our community by identifying asymptomatic cases thereby reducing intermittent disruptions to in-person learning.”

The district will provide each of its students with two at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests before spring break. Students’ parents or guardians can fill out the online request form to arrange test pick-ups this week at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIc5fFNzWwrY5KkVx0tEhNkmReKmZVGi6Z3CT6l8bZbtl4Mg/viewform

On an optional basis, the first test should be administered at home on April 17 or prior to school on April 18, with the second test being administered at home five days later, according to the notice.

Participating families should only report positive cases using an online notification tool and the information will be relayed to school nurses and health room teams. Students who test positive must stay home and follow the Washington State Department of Health Decision Tree: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/820-229-SymptomExposureFlowchartK12SchoolsChildCare.pdf

Direct questions to: communications@miptacouncil.org.