Calhoun will conduct weekly saliva-based testing of all eligible 3's and 4's students , and all eligible 3's and 4's teachers. Participation in testing is required for on-campus presence. 

Testing is ongoing since September.

Please note that samples should be created the night before or morning of the day that they are to be returned to school.

STEP 1: Eligible students, faculty and staff will receive a clean, individual testing kit containing a barcoded sample collection tube and collection straw.

STEP 2: Individuals will safely self-collect saliva samples at home and return them on the designated collection day. The ideal time for saliva sample collection is immediately after waking up in the morning. Do not use mouthwash for at least two hours prior to providing your sample. Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum or brush your teeth at least 30 minutes prior to providing your sample. This is critical to the viability of the sample collected. Even if the sample kit was sent home days in advance, please wait until collection day to provide your sample.

STEP 3: That morning, individuals will bring the barcoded collection tubes back to campus in a bag clearly labeled with their full name and date of birth where they will be deposited in designated collection baskets upon entering the building. 

STEP 4: The same day, the collected samples will be couriered to the lab for testing. Results will be available via the Sovereign Portal 24-48 hours after submission.

Samples can be delivered by parents or guardians or designated proxies.

If a collection day is missed, we ask receive their NAAT/PCR results no later than 6pm on the day of their return to school. For example, if a student misses school on Monday because of a family commitment they are welcome to return to school on Tuesday, but we must have their test result no later than Tuesday evening or they will not be permitted to attend school on Wednesday. 

If your child is absent due to illness, please contact Nurse Lisa for guidance.

More information can be found on our Off-Campus Testing page. 

No, quarantine does not necessarily mean that a transmission of the virus has occurred. A contact may be quarantined because they have had identified, extended close-contact exposure to a positive COVID-19 individual (i.e. spent accumulatively 10 minutes or more within six feet over the past 24 hours) which may signify a higher chance of submission. The behavioral norms adopted by our community (e.g., masks,  physical distancing, hand hygiene) and additional campus infrastructure measures (e.g., air filtration, use of outdoor space) all help to minimize the risk of transmission, including during extended close contact exposure (i.e., within six feet for more than 10 minutes over the past 24 hours).

Individuals who are identified as positive for COVID-19 by Calhoun’s testing will be immediately contacted by Nicole Nelson. Any additional individuals identified through the contact tracing process will also be contacted by Nicole Nelson. Any changes required to campus operations will be communicated in a timely manner.

The saliva test’s accuracy is virtually identical to that of individual PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which are the most accurate types of COVID-19 tests currently available.

The test cannot be guaranteed to be 100% accurate. False positives are possible but rare.

Most medical insurance plans cover 100% of the cost of COVID-19 tests and free COVID-19 testing is available at testing stations operated by the city and state. The CARES Act covers the cost of the testing when insurance will not pay. Any individuals experiencing difficulty accessing additional COVID-19 testing should contact the school nurse or Nicole Nelson, Director of Institutional Analysis.