COVID-19 testing available for all students and staff

Dear Robbinsdale Area Schools families,

We would like to remind families that students have access to COVID-19 test kits. The saliva test kits are available for take-home use by both students and staff. 

• These tests are optional, free of cost, and can be picked up from the school nurse in your school’s health office. 

• People will register for a Vault Health account and test kit at covidtest.vaulthealth.com.

• Instructions for taking the tests are available in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish. 

• After taking the test over Zoom, families and staff should place the completed test in the provided small biohazard bag. The bag should be returned to school and placed at the designated test collection location within the building. Schools will arrange pick-up.

• Results are typically available from Vault Health within 48 hours of being received at the testing laboratory sites. 

• Families and staff should inform the district of positive results by completing an online COVID Reporting Form so we can take steps to prevent the spread of the virus. 

• Symptomatic students and staff who completed testing and were negative should inform their school nurse of the negative test results so they can return to school. 

Additional information is available at rdale.org/covid/updates.

In addition to our Vault tests available at school, there are many other options to get tested. Families can visit one of Minnesota's free community testing sites, or go to a local pharmacy, clinic or hospital. Families can also use the no-cost COVID-19 test at home program to have a test mailed to them.

Please note, at this time we are not accepting COVID rapid tests taken at home due to the inability to verify the test taker. COVID rapid tests taken at a local pharmacy or clinic that provides independent verification of the identity of the test taker will be accepted. 

Based on current levels of community spread across Minnesota, the CDC and MDH recommend that:

• Unvaccinated school-age children and school staff should get tested for COVID-19 at least weekly throughout the school year.

• Unvaccinated children involved in any extracurricular activities or sports should be tested more frequently.

• Vaccinated students and school staff should get tested if they are experiencing symptoms or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

•  

Sincerely,

David Engstrom
Superintendent
Robbinsdale Area Schools