September 28, 2021
Dear Parents, Staff, and Community Members:
We have recently been notified that a student at the elementary school has tested positive for COVID-19. While we must protect the privacy of the student involved, we believe it is best to communicate transparently with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family. We are a small school and share small spaces therefore you should consider every person with a positive test in our school a contact with your student(s).
With increasing positive cases in our school district and community, Salmon River JSD 243 will be developing a Covid-19 testing program. The State Department of Health and Welfare has provided the district with 200 PCR Vault tests. These tests are available to staff and students free of charge.
The PRC Vault tests are free for Salmon River and can be given to any student, teacher, or staff member with symptoms of COVID-19 or a recent exposure at request.
One (1) test kit covers 1 person and they are all encompassing. This is a saliva-based test that is proctored via smart phone with a VAULT representative to ensure the collection is good before mailing off via UPS overnight to the VAULT lab. Please remember that if someone who is well and hasn’t been exposed to COVID-19 can drop the pre-paid envelope off at a physical UPS location, that will help ensure overnight delivery and a more rapid turnaround time to results.
Teachers and parents can request a test. The test will be documented as delivered to the person who will be tested (and parent). Teachers and parents will be responsible for following directions and taking the test with fidelity with the guidance of the Vault representative. All test results will need to be reported to the school.
Please contact me or Kyle Ewing (high school principal), for more information.
Sincerely,
Trisha Simonson Riggins Elementary Principal
simonsont@jsd243.org (208)630-6055
VAULT Test
- Saliva based
- PCR
- 24-48 hr. result sent to your personal email
Free to us from Idaho State Supply
Specimen collection is proctored via Zoom Individual tests can be requested by dialing 2-1-1. Results will be sent to the submitter’s email and the DHW Division of Public Health.
| PCR test (NAAT) A molecular test that identifies SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. Considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing. |
| Rapid antigen A point of care rapid test that identifies SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Frequently used in serial screening testing. tests |