Home Test Kits Available Beginning May 16, 2022
May 11, 2022
Home test kits for staff and students will be available for pick up beginning Monday, May 16, 2022. These kits have been provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and are free. There is one kit, with five tests per kit, for every student and staff member of MSAD No. 75 who would like one.
It is recommended the tests be used when someone has symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Follow the package directions carefully to ensure accurate results. This video may also be helpful to view before using the tests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xu01IuPNUM
During the designated times listed below, staff pick ups will be in the lobby of each school. Family pick ups will be by drive up in the front of each school. You may remain in your vehicle, and we will bring the kit(s) to you.
If you have students at more than one school, you may pick up all your kits at any one of their schools. If you are unable to pick up during your school’s designated time, we have additional time slots on Friday, May 20th and Thursday, May 26th.
Monday, 5/16/22 = Harpswell Community School
2:30 - 3:30 pm Staff
3:30 - 6:30 pm Harpswell parents/guardians
Tuesday, 5/17/22 = Williams-Cone School
2:30 - 3:30 pm Staff and parents/guardians who pick up their student(s) everyday
3:30 - 6:30 pm Williams-Cone parents/guardians
Wednesday, 5/18/22 = Mt. Ararat Middle School
8:00 - 9:00 am Staff (in the lobby)
4:00 - 7:00 pm Middle School parents/guardians
Thursday, 5/19/22 = Woodside Elementary School
2:30 - 3:30 pm Staff and parents/guardians who pick up their student(s) everyday
3:30 - 6:30 pm Woodside parents/guardians
Friday, 5/20/22 = Mt. Ararat Middle School
9:00 - 12:00 noon ALL MSAD No. 75 Parents/Guardians/Staff
4:00 - 6:00 pm ALL MSAD No. 75 Parents/Guardians/Staff
Monday, 5/23/22 = Bowdoin Central School
2:30 - 3:30 pm Staff and parents/guardians who pick up their student(s) everyday
3:30 - 6:30 pm Bowdoin Central parents/guardians
Tuesday, 5/24/22 = Bowdoinham Community School
2:30 - 3:30 pm Staff and parents/guardians who pick up their student(s) everyday
3:30 - 6:30 pm Bowdoinham parents/guardians
Wednesday, 5/25/22 = Mt. Ararat High School
8:00 - 9:00 am Staff (in the lobby)
4:00 - 7:00 pm High School parents/guardians
Thursday, 5/26/22 = Mt. Ararat Middle School
4:00 - 7:00 pm ALL MSAD No. 75 Parents/Guardians/Staff
If you would like to order more free tests for other family members, go to:
United States Government: https://www.covidtests.gov/
State of Maine Project ACT: https://accesscovidtests.org/
If you have additional questions, please contact Mary Booth, District Health Coordinator, at 729-9961 x1015.
Pooled Testing Program Will Be Ending May 13, 2022
April 26, 2022 The Mills Administration has announced pooled testing for COVID-19 in Maine schools will conclude in May, given its reduced effectiveness in limiting the spread of the highly contagious BA.2 variant and the widespread availability of free and convenient at-home tests for students and school staff. The final week for schools to conduct pooled testing will be May 9-13. M.S.A.D. No. 75 Pooled Testers will conduct any necessary follow-up rapid testing on May 16 and 17.
The BA.2 variant is significantly more contagious than previous strains of the virus, lowering the likelihood of detecting, identifying, and isolating an individual with COVID-19 through pooled testing before that individual has spread the virus to others. In this new phase of the Pandemic, frequent use of over-the-counter rapid antigen tests has become a more effective way to protect the health of school communities. The Maine Departments of Education and Health and Human Services are supporting this strategy by making home test kits available to all K-12 schools in the State. This is enough for schools to supply every school student and staff member with a free rapid antigen test kit containing five to six tests.
M.S.A.D. No. 75 has ordered test kits for students and staff who would like one. We will send more information on how to obtain a kit once the shipment arrives.
In addition to the distribution of home test kits through Maine schools, families and staff can also request free tests through the Federal Free COVID Tests Program and Project Access COVID tests (ACT). For more information, please visit Maine's COVID-19 Testing website.
Pooled Testing Still Accepting Enrollees
March 6, 2022 Students and staff can still opt into the pooled testing program. Although case counts are decreasing, COVID-19 is still in the community and the virus is continually mutating. If there is another surge, pooled testing can help flag and keep positive cases out of school. If interested, the consent form is linked below or may be obtained from your school office. Complete the form, and send back to your school office.
MSAD 75 Pooled Testing Program Reminder (January 4, 2022)
Concentric Pooled Testing Consent Form
February 16, 2022
Additional Home COVID-19 Tests Available
The Maine DHHS is making more home tests available through Project ACT. All Maine households are eligible to receive 5 COVID home tests. Commissioner Lambrew suggested Maine homes could use these before students returned to school after February vacation to identify COVID-positive individuals so that they could stay home and isolate instead of returning to school. This is completely voluntary and testing is not required to return to school.