Test to Stay in PSD | Poudre School District

Program provides another option to be exempted from quarantine

Poudre School District is committed to prioritizing in-person education. Test to Stay in PSD provides a separate option (beyond completing a vaccination series and booster) for students and staff to be exempted from quarantine, which means being able to teach and learn in school more often.

Students or staff who choose to enroll in the voluntary Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Test to Stay program receive free, at-home tests from their school.* Those who do not want to enroll in CDPHE's program to receive free tests may follow the quarantine exemption testing process below using tests they obtain separate from Test to Stay.

Participants must complete tests on their own and upload results to a secure, online state platform.

Once results are verified, they may return to school or work if they test negative and remain asymptomatic. More information >>

Timeline for program rollout: Test to Stay in PSD will be implemented in a staggered manner - first in high schools, then middle schools and finally, elementary schools - to allow for evaluation and refinement of the program. PSD will communicate with parents/guardians at each level, as the program begins for those grades.

Opt into program to receive free at-home rapid tests

This is a 100% voluntary program. Parents/guardians of students under the age of 18 may opt their student into Test to Stay in PSD by completing a consent form in ParentVUE. Students who are 18 years of age or older may self-consent to participate.

To opt into the COVID-19 Test to Stay program, access Services Tracker through ParentVUE through the Community Tech Portal (techportal.psdschools.org)
- Choose the PSD Forms and Applications menu item in ParentVUE and click on Services Tracker.
- From the left-hand menu of the Services Tracker, select your student. Select All Categories, then select the COVID 19 Test to Stay program.
- Type your name in the box provided at the bottom of the form and Sign, then click the Agree (Opt-In) button to submit the form.
- For translation in Spanish, Arabic, or Korean click the “G” the upper right.

Once opt-in is completed:
- You will receive an email with a unique site Connection Code for those you enrolled.
- Download the Navica app from Apple Store or Google Play or login on the Navica Website.
  - Step by Step Guide for the Navica app
  - Step by Step Guide for managing your profile on the website
- An email will be sent when tests are available for pick up. Tests are made available to participating staff and students at their school. Distribution may vary slightly between schools and departments.
- If the student/staff becomes aware of being in close contact with someone who is positive, they can choose to utilize the process above with their provided tests even if they did not receive quarantine orders or were not required to stay home.
- Those that are participating in the CDPHE Test to Stay program are able to receive additional tests once those provided have been used.

Who can participate? Students and staff identified as a close contact in a school-based or non-household exposure to someone positive for COVID-19 can attend school/work in lieu of quarantine if they remain asymptomatic and test negative twice per the instructions below. Individuals who have been vaccinated and boosted are also able to enroll and follow the recommended testing timeline if they would like to have the ability to test in situations of known close contact exposure to a positive case. However, they would not be required to quarantine based on their vaccination status alone. The benefit of enrolling as a vaccinated/boosted individual is the access to free, at-home tests through the state health department’s Test to Stay program when exposures occur.

Who cannot participate? This option is NOT available to students/staff identified as close contacts in a household exposure. An example of a household exposure may be a parent/guardian testing positive and exposing other members of the household, including students.

Student/Staff must be able to wear a well-fitting mask consistently in school for 10 days from the date of exposure AND remain asymptomatic AND follow the Test to Stay process.

Testing process on day 1 and day 5

Test Day 1 (on day identified as close contact):

The day they are notified of exposure, the student/staff must test.
They must be an asymptomatic close contact
They must test negative on any test (PCR, molecular, at-home).
Provide covidtracing@psdschools.org or respective PSD school or department COVID-19 Response Team with:
- Printed documentation of negative test results (including provider name, date, time and result) OR
- Provide a photo of an at-home test result. The person's name, date and time test was administered must be written directly on the at-home test card (not on a label added to the card).
- Those participating in the CDPHE Test to Stay program who have been provided at-home tests must complete the results information on their Navica app, as well.
Obtain approval from PSD COVID-19 Response Team before ending quarantine and returning to school or work
Wear a well-fitting mask in school from the date of exposure to day 10.
COVID Response Teams do NOT need to get review or approval from LCDHE on Test to Stay requests. There is no need to communicate with LCDHE.

Test Day 2 (five days after last date of exposure):

Five days after date of last exposure, student/staff must repeat the above process to remain in school.
If test results are not submitted on the morning of day 5, student/staff may not be in school until day 6 since their last day of exposure.
Student/staff MUST remain asymptomatic the entire duration AND test negative on both tests to stay in school.
They must continue wearing a mask through day 10

Test to Stay quarantine exemption available for those not in CDPHE program

Is the Test to Stay option available for those who do not want to participate in the CDPHE program? Yes. A student or staff member could either visit a testing site or provider, or purchase their own at-home tests, and follow the testing steps outlined above. Those not opted into the voluntary state program do NOT receive free at-home tests from PSD.

What tests are accepted to be exempted from quarantine? The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment allows students/staff to use any test, including those obtained through participation in Test to Stay in PSD, those purchased from a store or online or those done through a testing site or medical provider. Students and staff are NOT required to use free, at-home rapid tests provided through the voluntary CDPHE program to test and be exempted from quarantine. Those wishing to be exempted from quarantine must follow the testing steps above.

PCR
Molecular
Rapid at-home (BinaxNOW, on/go, etc.)

*Note: Free tests, for those opted into the state health department’s free and voluntary Test to Stay program, are available only at PSD’s neighborhood and 100% choice schools. PSD-authorized charter schools can determine whether to participate in the state’s program and provide tests to their respective families who have opted in. Parents/guardians of PSD-authorized charters should contact their school to inquire about their school’s participation in the state Test to Stay program.

Frequently asked questions

If I have completed a vaccine series and been boosted, do I need to follow this testing process to be exempted from quarantine if I am identified as a close contact in a school-based exposure?

No. Individuals are exempted from quarantine if they have completed a vaccine series, been boosted and are asymptomatic. Alternatively, if someone has not been vaccinated/boosted, they may follow the Test to Stay process above to be exempted from quarantine. Individuals who have been vaccinated and boosted are able to enroll and follow the recommended testing timeline if they would like to have the ability to test. However, they would not be required to quarantine based on their vaccination status alone. The benefit of enrolling as a vaccinated/boosted individual is the access to free, at-home tests through the state health department’s Test to Stay program.

Is it true that a student/staff member opted into and participating in the state’s Test to Stay program would still have to wear a mask on days 6-10, if they are identified as a close contact in a school-based exposure?

Yes. That is a health department requirement. Those positive for COVID or required to quarantine must remain out of school/work for five full days and return on day six only if symptoms are improving. Public health guidance requires that they wear a mask on days six-10.