FAQ -  Middle School PCR Testing

Also called a molecular test, this diagnostic test detects genetic material of the virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A fluid sample is collected with a nasal swab or a throat swab, or you may spit into a tube to produce a saliva sample. Results may be available in minutes if analyzed onsite or a few days—or longer in locations with test processing delays—if sent to an outside lab. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

While District 97 continues to experience success relative to its internal operational metrics and mitigated risk of COVID-19 transmission within its schools, we understand that there remains concern that certain variables (e.g., more students on site, high levels of community spread) may increase the risk of positive cases within our schools. PCR testing in our middle schools offers an additional layer to our existing COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

The primary goals of the program are to:

• Identify and isolate cases of COVID-19.
• Provide an additional screening tool to further mitigate and reduce the risk of exposure, transmission and quarantine, especially during times of significant community spread;
• Reduce the need for school closures, classroom and/or individual quarantines.

Northshore Clinical Labs is a high-complexity diagnostic lab located on the northwest side of Chicago that has been working with the Illinois Department of Public Health, communities and municipalities to broaden access to reliable testing supplies and services. Northshore Clinical Labs has developed an effective surveillance testing program that is being utilized by numerous school districts, community colleges and private schools throughout the state.

District 97 staff explored two options for COVID-19 testing and surveillance. Northshore Clinical Labs was chosen for a number of reasons:

• Infectious disease experts indicated that PCR testing is preferred over saliva-based screenings, which require diagnostic tests to confirm positive cases.
• District 97 thoroughly researched services provided by Northshore Clinical Labs and conducted reference checks with organizations/entities that had experience with the provider. Staff also carefully considered the associated costs and logistics, and solicited feedback from internal stakeholders, including middle school principals, staff and nurses.
• The district has had a successful partnership with Northshore Clinical Labs to provide optional diagnostic testing for all staff. Pop-up clinics were held weekly at all 10 schools throughout the month of March.

The PCR testing program will be mandatory for on-site students at Brooks and Julian middle schools. This decision was based primarily on the lower risk of transmission among elementary school students, as well as the fact that more than 90% of District 97 staff members have indicated that they are fully vaccinated as of March 2021.

District 97 also offers weekly diagnostic testing through NorthShore Clinical Labs for staff members who are interested in participating.

No. Currently, the district is only offering PCR testing to Brooks and Julian students who are coming to school for in-person learning.

If families selected our hybrid model of in-person learning for Trimester 3, they must complete the registration and consent forms below.

• One-time registration form for student(s) to bring to their first appointment. The registration forms are linked below (please download and complete):
  • Brooks
  • Julian
• COVID-19 Testing Authorization and Consent Form (required each week of testing)
  • The consent form will be sent to families via email as a fillable PDF, which must be printed and brought to the appointment. We will also have stacks of consent forms available on site.

If consent is not given, the student will remain in remote-only classes. If a student opted into on-site classes but is medically unable to complete a test, they must provide a doctor’s note to their school nurse in order to be on site.

NO. Your student must participate in the District 97 Northshore Clinical Labs COVID-19 PCR testing on either Thursdays or Fridays between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. the week prior to your student participating in on-site learning. For example, if you anticipate your student will attend in-person learning on Monday, April 12, your student must participate in COVID-19 testing on Thursday, April 8, or Friday, April 9. Logistically, having families email individual results is not feasible, given the quick turn around to coordinate our systems to ensure all students in the building the following week have been tested.

Both middle schools will host testing in their gymnasiums on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Families will be emailed a link to register for their student’s appointment at the student’s respective school.

Students will be able to choose between two PCR tests: a nasal swab or an oral rinse. The preferred and customary PCR specimen collection method is the simple nasal swab, however the alternate option of an oral rinse is being provided for consideration. The selection should be indicated on the consent form prior to the appointment:

• The COVID-19 Testing Authorization and Consent Form must be completed each week of testing. The consent form will be sent to families via email as a fillable PDF, which must be printed and brought to the appointment. We will also have stacks of consent forms available on site.

Students are required to bring their school IDs AND the consent form to their appointments.

Northshore Clinical Labs will report individual results to parents via phone and email. Results will be shared with middle school principals via a secure report every Sunday. The principals will work in conjunction with their respective school nurses to connect with families whose students had a positive test result.  

There is no cost for District 97 families. Northshore Clinical Labs shall bill an individual’s insurance for the COVID test and will not be seeking any payments (no fees or co-pay). For uninsured individuals, Northshore Clinical Labs shall seek reimbursement from the state (through the CARES Act), and similarly there is no out-of-pocket cost to families.

Northshore Clinical Labs will report individual results directly to parents via phone and email. Results will be shared with middle school principals via a secure report every Sunday so they can work in conjunction with their respective school nurses to connect with families whose students had a positive test result.

Individual data will not be published. Positive cases will be reflected in the district's COVID-19 Metrics Dashboard.

No. The Illinois Department of Public Health advice has not changed. You should stay home if one or more of the following symptoms appear: fever of 100.4 or higher, new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue from unknown cause, muscle of body aches from unknown cause.

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 90 days, you should notify the school nurse and provide documentation so that you may be excused temporarily from PCR testing. A person who recently has had COVID-19 may still be shedding dead virus cells, even though they are no longer infectious, which can cause a false positive on a diagnostic test. Once the 90 days since diagnosis have passed, you must participate in PCR testing in order to attend on-site classes.

This program does not take the place of our schools’ health and safety measures, which include self-certification through CrisisGo, temperature surveillance, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, cleaning protocols and regular washing of hands — all measures that already make the risk of in-school transmission low. PCR testing is an additional tool that can help ensure that asymptomatic individuals do not come to our buildings and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the community by identifying people who have COVID-19 before they show symptoms and potentially transmit the virus to others.