Free COVID Testing Options
As part of our ongoing to effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we are offering several, free COVID testing programs for students.
All students are able and encouraged to participate, regardless of vaccination status.
All testing programs are voluntary and if you change your mind you can opt out at any time.
If you would like to have your student participate in either of the on-site testing options, please fill out this COVID-19 General Consent Form, and select each testing option you would like your student to participate in. The form has changed since last year, so if you participated in the testing program last year, you will still need to fill out a new form for this year.
You may fill out the consent form online, with an electronic signature, and email it to our medical assistant at heathera@serendipitycenter.org.
If you would like to receive a paper copy to fill out and return, you may call Serendipity at 503-761-7139 or email the safety coordinator at nickv@serendipitycenter.org.
Symptom testing: This testing can be administered if your student develops COVID-19 symptoms while at school. The test is a shallow nasal swab, similar to over-the-counter rapid tests. The student performs the swab themselves under the supervision of one of our school’s test administrators. The test administrator performs the rest of the test, which takes 15 minutes to yield results. This test is only performed when a student is already being sent home from school due to illness.
Exposure testing: This testing can be administered if it is determined that your student has been in close contact (within six feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with an individual who had a confirmed or presumptive case of COVID-19. This test is a shallow nasal swab, similar to over-the-counter rapid tests. The student performs the swab themselves under the supervision of one of our school’s test administrators. The test administrator performs the rest of the test, which takes 15 minutes to yield results. If your student tests positive they would remain in the school’s medical office and their parent or guardian would be contacted to pick them up from school.
Enhanced exposure testing: This option allows for additional testing for students who are at an increased risk of severe disease due underlying medical conditions, being immunocompromised, or medically fragile. If you believe your student may fall into one of these categories you may consult with or medical assistant, Heather, at heathera@serendipitycenter.org. If there is a COVID exposure in your student’s classroom, your student would have the option to test daily for 10 days following the exposure. The tests would be shallow nasal swabs that the student would administer themselves, either at school, under the supervision of one of our test administrators; or at home under parental supervision with school-provided at-home iHealth rapid tests. This testing option does not require any additional paperwork, and no one other than Serendipity staff and public health officials would be aware of your student’s medical status.
Screening testing: This program is being offered to K-12 schools by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) in collaboration with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).
This is a saliva (spit) test, performed weekly, regardless of whether or not a student is experiencing symptoms. The sample is tested for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) by an OHSU lab using a PCR test.
The program has changed since last year. This year you will opt in by accessing OHSU’s online portal at www.labfinder.com/ohsu. This portal is also where you will view the results of the tests. If you participated in the program last year you will still need to re-register online for this year. Testing will begin the week of September 26th.
OHSU will not share the test results with Serendipity. However, in accordance with our existing COVID-19 safety protocols, we ask that you keep your student home and inform the school if they test positive for COVID-19. Doing this quickly will allow Serendipity to take the necessary measures to mitigate potential spread on campus.
If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Serendipity’s safety coordinator at nickv@serendipitycenter.org or call OHSU at (503) 418-8500. More information about the OHSU testing program including alternate test drop-off sites can be found on their website https://www.ohsu.edu/health/k-12-covid-19-screening-program.