Portland Public Schools

Dear PPS families, students and staff,

Beginning next week, families will receive a consent form to opt-in to participate in our free COVID-19 screening testing program, which is a partnership between the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and PPS. Screening testing provides early detection of COVID-19, even when individuals have no apparent COVID-19-like symptoms. 

We will begin enrollment of schools early next week, prioritizing schools serving K-5 students due to those students not yet being eligible to receive the vaccine. We also anticipate enrolling middle and high school students soon after. We expect testing to begin shortly after each school has completed registration.  

What should I expect?

Below is a short summary of the process of enrolling your student into the COVID-19 Screening Program:

1. Families who wish to participate in the testing program must fill out consent forms and health authorization forms that schools will provide.
   
   
2. Each school will receive testing kits and labels to send home with students who have opted in. Information regarding how to collect a spit sample will be provided or emailed as well as available on an OHSU website.
   
   
3. Your student will receive sample collection materials on a specific day of the week and must return them to school on the following day. Samples will be collected by school teams for transportation to the lab. 

Example: Your child brings home the test kit on Tuesday after school. On Wednesday morning, you and your child will administer the test, and bring it to school. At school, your child will place their test at a specific location in school.  OHSU will pick up the test kits on Wednesday for testing.

1. OHSU expects to provide families with results within 48 hours of the specimen being dropped off at the school. You will receive a secure email with your child's results. 

If it is a positive (or inconclusive) result, you will keep your child home from school. You will need to call your child’s school and inform them immediately and follow the guidance provided to you. 

Testing is one tool among many to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Despite the availability of this program, the best tools to protect individuals against COVID-19 are vaccination for those eligible, physical distancing, masks, proper ventilation and airflow, hand hygiene, and staying home if ill or exposed to someone with COVID-19. 

We are excited for the launch of this screening testing program, helping us make more informed decisions about our students safety and health. 

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The project is a collaboration with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Education, OHSU, Multnomah County and our health partners at MESD.