April 5, 2021 Dear Parents and Students,
In preparation for students coming to campus for Spring Term 2 after learning online during Spring Term 1, we wanted to share an update regarding the required pre-arrival COVID-19 testing. These updates apply to both boarding and day students. We understand that there is a great deal of detailed information included in this communication. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Testing Dates and Requirements - Boarding students should take their pre-arrival COVID-19 tests on or after April 9 and send their results to the Health Center before they move into the dormitories on April 14.
- Day students should take their pre-arrival COVID-19 tests on or after April 11 and send their results to the Health Center by 5 p.m. on April 15.
- We encourage testing on April 9 for boarding students and April 11 for day students, or as close to those dates as possible, to ensure results are back in time for registration. No student may register without proper pre-arrival testing documentation.
- Loomis Chaffee continues to require a molecular test, commonly referred to as a PCR test or a nucleic acid test (NAAT). We will not accept rapid antigen testing or antibody blood testing, as molecular tests remain the gold standard. Please confirm the type of test that is being collected or performed at the point of service if necessary.
Testing Options - Obtain a test at your local doctor's office, clinic, or testing site. Linked here is a lab slip for a PCR Test signed by Dr. Kleinhen, the school physician. You may or may not need this lab slip, but it is better to have a printed copy with you at the time the test is scheduled and/or collected. We do not need this form back. The form includes fax information for the lab to send us your results.
Testing Tips - If your student's results are not back by the time that they are due to report to campus, please contact their class dean for further instructions. No student should come to campus if their test results have not been received.
- If your child has a positive test result, please contact the Health Center to discuss. You can reach us at 860.687.6325.
- Results must be sent to the Health Center ahead of registration. No results should be hand-carried. Results can be faxed to 860.688.1557 / 860.955.3364 or emailed to health_center@loomis.org. We will confirm receipt of all faxed results. We can accept a screenshot from a portal as long as the student name, type of test, date collected, and result are all included.
- Through our last few rounds of testing, we have learned that Quest locations in Connecticut do NOT collect the PCR test. Please do not make an appointment at a Quest location. We have also found that locations that offer an electronic chart option may provide you access to results faster than they can be faxed or mailed. Setting this service up before testing can be helpful.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Health Center at 860.687.6325 or health_center@loomis.org. Thank you, Loomis Chaffee Health Center |