Barrington Public Schools are now participating in the “Test to Stay” program for all unvaccinated students.

The program is available to students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 6, and allows those who have been identified as close contacts to stay in school and not have to quarantine from school. 

“‘Test to Stay’ is only available to those individuals who have been identified as close contacts due to exposure to COVID-19 in the school setting,” stated a press release from the district.

Following is a breakdown of how the “Test to Stay” program works:

• It does not allow anyone who has tested positive to stay in school

• Individuals participating in “Test to Stay” will not have to quarantine from school if they are identified as close contact due to school exposure. 

• If participating in “Test to Stay,” the individual must test negative on a rapid COVID-19 antigen test every day before proceeding to class. 

• If the individual is participating in a school-sponsored activity on the weekend, the individual must test negative on a rapid COVID-19 antigen test before participating in the activity. 

• The individual must quarantine from all activities not related to school, and remain home when not in school/school activities.

• “Test to Stay” is only available to individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated: individuals who have not received any COVID-19 vaccination dose or have only received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine may participate.

• The individual will participate in daily testing for a minimum of seven days from exposure. 

• In the case that an individual participating in “Test to Stay” has a second close contact exposure during their initial “Test to Stay” testing period, the testing sequence must be restarted for the most recent close contact. 

• The student should monitor for symptoms for 14 days following the last exposure.

• “Test to Stay” does not change self-isolation requirements for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are within the infectious period.

• The individual must self-isolate at home pending confirmation of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms requiring self-isolation. If a test confirms COVID-19, self-isolation continues for 10 days following the day symptoms began.