Fairfax County Public Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools Approved for COVID-19 Test-to-Stay Pilot Program

Now, Fairfax County Public Schools will be one of the first school systems in Virginia to roll out a new test-to-stay program, which allows close contacts to immediately take a COVID-19 test.

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Fairfax County received approval from the state of Virginia to host a pilot program that lets students test out of quarantine requirements if they are exposed to COVID-19. 

The final days of winter break bring change for Janine Goodchild's high school daughter and for herself as a county teacher. Sheโ€™s had to navigate a school year that saw students and even entire classes placed in quarantine after close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case are identified.

โ€œFour out of the five classes have quarantined, but overall I think we've had relatively low incidents at my school,โ€ Goodchild said. 

Her class and daughter may not have had to quarantine, but not all Fairfax parents can say the same. 

โ€œWe were notified that our son was identified as a close contact and to please pick him up from school. This was like on a Monday afternoon,โ€ mother Lilit Yoo said. 

She remembers the process as a mess, and said she couldn't get a straight answer on when her child could go back.

Now, Fairfax County Public Schools will be one of the first school systems in Virginia to roll out a new test-to-stay program, which allows close contacts to immediately take a COVID-19 test. If it's negative, the student can stay in school and skip quarantine.

With omicron cases raging through the community, Goodchild isn't convinced that this is the right time.

โ€œHonestly at this point, with the omicron variant, I don't think it makes a lot of sense,โ€ she said. 

Before students and staff head back to school next week, Fairfax schools will offer a testing event right at the Gatehouse Administration building in Falls Church. This will be a drive-through testing site open from noon until 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.  

It is specifically for symptomatic students and staff. An appointment is not needed, but people do have to register online first.

โ€œI think with rapid testing, especially when it comes to schools, it gets a little risky. I mean, yes, was I nervous about having my child return to in-person school? Absolutely,โ€ Yoo said. โ€œDo I prefer that over virtual? One hundred percent.โ€

Most parents can probably relate in their belief that less virtual learning is the goal. For now, FCPS said it will offer more specific details of how exactly the test-to-stay program will work in January.

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