Return to Campus: Pooled Testing & De-densificationWe successfully completed 11 weeks of on-campus learning this fall due to our data-driven safety protocols and your partnership. As we emerge from our “Prudent/Family Phase” the COVID-19 landscape has changed. In consultation with Fusion Cell, we are confident that we can safely return to campus on January 19 with two additional layers of protection: pooled saliva testing and de-densification of campus.
What is pooled testing?Pooled testing gathers samples from 2-24 individuals and combines them into one sample to test. This limits the need for unnecessary individual testing and prioritizes further testing of only positive pools. Each pool is tested and if a pool tests positive, those 24 samples are paired and the 12 paired samples are then tested to identify which pair or pairs have a positive result. Whichever pair or pairs test positive are then run in a third round to determine which individual test is positive.
For more detailed information on Pooled Testing click here.Why are we testing now?Since we started on-campus learning in the fall, New Hampshire has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases. While the initial foundation of safety protocols implemented this fall (HEPA filters, improved HVAC system, social distancing, and universal masking) have been shown to limit the spread of COVID-19 within our community, we want to limit the risk of bringing COVID-19 to campus through asymptomatic individuals. Testing offers another layer to our existing layers of protection. As the COVID-19 numbers in New Hampshire continue to wax and wane, Derryfield will continue to re-evaluate our safety measures to ensure we are implementing the best protocols to maintain the safety of our community while offering in-person learning.
Families who do not wish to have their child(ren) participate in pooled testing will be invited to continue remote learning for the remainder of the Winter term.Important Dates:Thursday, January 14You will receive an email from The Derryfield School detailing the “Informed Consent to Test.”
Parents/guardians must digitally sign this health form/consent to test in Magnus by Monday, January 18. If you have more than one student at DS, you must sign an agreement for each of your students.Monday, January 18You will receive an email reminder to digitally sign the “Informed Consent to Test” form on Magnus. This communication will also include a “How To” video that your student(s) will review on Tuesday, January 19 with their advisor or faculty member.
Tuesday, January 19The daily Magnus Check-in APP will include a checkbox signifying you (as Parent/Guardian of student) have completed/approved the “Consent to Test” health form in Magnus.
Wednesday, January 20Families who have not checked approval to test will be contacted by a Derryfield staff member.
Thursday, January 21First Day of Pooled Testing
(Families who have not provided consent to test will be invited to learn remotely for the remainder of the Winter Term.)
We will continue to
include important updates in weekly Nuts & Bolts (per Fall reopening protocol.)
Dr. Mary Halpin Carter’s January 7 Fireside Chat (
which can be viewed here) clarifies Derryfield's plans for returning to school.