Sanford Schools to Start Pooled Testing for Covid-19
by Steve Bussiere, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Sanford School Department administrators have been working closely with the Maine Department of Education to implement a free COVID-19 pooled testing program for students and staff.
Pooled testing involves gathering test swabs from all consenting participants in a classroom into one “pool” every week and then testing that pooled sample for COVID-19. Shallow nasal self-swabs will be used and test results should be available within 24-48 hours. If the result of a pool is negative, all pool members are considered COVID-19 free. If a pool returns a positive result, all pool members will be re-tested as soon as possible using the Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Diagnostic Test.
Individuals who participate in pooled testing will no longer have to quarantine from a school exposure if that individual has no symptoms and has not tested positive for COVID-19.
To learn more about pooled testing, please click here and/or watch this video.
To enroll your student in pooled testing, please use the links and codes listed below. This process should take no more than 5 minutes to complete using a computer or a smartphone. Consent to participate in the program can be provided OR withdrawn at any time during the school year. Multi-student homes will need to complete the process separately for each child. Please do not register anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 until 90 days after their positive test.
1. Consent form for minors (under 18 years of age)
2. Consult form for adults (18 years of age or older)
| School | Code | Tentative Testing Day |
| Carl J. Lamb Elementary | CJL2021 | Tuesday |
| Margaret Chase Smith Elementary | MCS2021 | Monday |
| Sanford Pride Elementary | SPE2021 | Tuesday |
| Sanford Middle School | SMS2021 | Tuesday |
| Sanford High School / Bridge Program | SHS2021 | Monday |
Pooled testing for grades K-4 will begin September 27, with tentative district-wide pooled testing beginning October 4. For more information, please log in to this Zoom presentation about pooled testing on Tuesday, September 21st via Zoom at 6:00 pm: https://sanford-org.zoom.us/j/86066037556?pwd=SjFSNFYrVmU2QVIvRmxna2t4a2Ntdz09 Meeting ID: 860 6603 7556 Passcode: 314908
To view the slides for Tuesday night’s presentation, please click here.
