This program will help schools conduct rapid tests of district employees and students – with the written permission of their parents – to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campuses. BISD received 16,000 rapid tests and is expected to receive a monthly allocation based upon the availability of tests provided by federal partners and the participation rate of school systems.
“BISD is committed to doing all we can to keep students and staff healthy and safe,” said Dr. René Gutiérrez, superintendent of schools of Brownsville Independent School District. “With this goal in mind, we are pleased to share that we will be taking part in a statewide program offering rapid COVID-19 tests for use in our district.”
Through this program, TDEM will provide BISD at no cost with COVID-19 rapid antigen tests that will be administered to students, teachers, and staff who choose to participate. BISD also received personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely administer the rapid tests, which produce reliable results within 15 minutes.
According to the Governor’s Office, this rapid test program will be an effective strategy to protect the health and safety of students and staff while helping to further ensure that Texas students have access to quality education throughout the pandemic and beyond.
What COVID-19 tests are used in this program?
This program uses BinaxNOW tests, which provide results in 15 minutes and are administered using a nasal swab in the front area of the nostril. These tests have been shown to be highly accurate, with accuracy rates of 97-98% for symptomatic individuals.
Who will be tested and when?
BISD will be offering these tests to staff working on campus on an as needed basis. These tests are optional, but we encourage all staff who work on campus to participate in the program. Additionally, the district will test any individual who is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
How will the information from the tests be used?
If a parent has given permission for BISD to administer the BinaxNOW test for their child, your child’s school will call you to let you know that your student is experiencing symptoms and that they will be administering a BinaxNOW test. The test administrator will also call to share the results after the test has been administered. Additionally, the student’s parent or guardian will receive test results via text and will also receive a confirmation e-mail within 24 hours.
The results will also be shared with BISD and with the local health department to allow for public health reporting and contact tracing and to determine the stay-at-home period for individuals who test positive. Additionally, the total number of positive tests per school will also be shared with the Texas Department of State Health Services as is required by law.
What happens next?
Tests are available to all students attending face-to-face instruction and who are showing symptoms of COVID-19. To participate, parents must complete a consent form. The first date testing will be available is Thursday, November 5, 2020.
For more information, contact the Brownsville Independent School District at 956.548.8000.
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About Brownsville Independent School District: Established in 1915, The Brownsville Independent School District is a public school district whose mission is to graduate students who are prepared to excel in higher education and successfully pursue career opportunities in a changing global society by maximizing resources to ensure equitable opportunities for all students. Recognized for its top-rated performance through the Texas Education Agency, the Brownsville Independent School District is the largest employer in the Rio Grande Valley with 54 schools, 6,458 employees, and 43,028 students. The Brownsville Independent School District provides a broad selection of academic activities and programs for all students that range from Early College High Schools to support programs for students with special needs. Thanks to the support of the local community, the Brownsville Independent School District is The Best Choice with a graduation rate of 93%. For more information, visit www.bisd.us.
