Action needed: complete SHIELD testing consent form in PowerSchool

This is a follow-up note with important information about a voluntary COVID-19 testing program at school that is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 20, 2021.

We previously communicated that in order to prepare space for and staff all testing sites, we needed your response in PowerSchool no later than Sept. 1, 2021. That date has passed, but it is not too late to elect to participate in SHIELD testing. If you are interested in testing, please login to PowerSchool immediately to avoid a further delay in participating in the program. Upon logging into PowerSchool, you will see a screen that allows you to click either agree (participate) or do not agree (decline participation). 

If you already completed the consent form in PowerSchool, thank you. If you are not interested in participating, please log in and decline participation as this will assist us with our planning. Please note District 87 staff will also be offered the opportunity to enroll in SHIELD testing.

We have engaged SHIELD Illinois to offer free voluntary, non-invasive COVID-19 testing at school. SHIELD has a diagnostic (PCR) test that will be available to staff and students at school each week. This saliva-based test will be available to identify positive COVID-19 cases and keep students safe. Notification of test results will typically occur in less than 24 hours.

More information regarding the specific dates/times of voluntary testing will be communicated closer to the start of testing.

See below for screenshots of the consent form in PowerSchool, as well as an FAQ to help determine your preference for participation in the voluntary SHIELD program.

Consent Forms in PowerSchool

The following FAQ is a resource to help determine your preference for participation in the voluntary SHIELD program.

Frequently Asked Questions 

When will voluntary testing begin?
During the week of Sept. 20, 2021, testing will be available at all sites. More information on the specific schedule will be shared as we get closer to the first week of testing. 

How often will your child be tested? 
Students will be tested weekly. 

What is the test? 
The SHIELD test is a free diagnostic test for the COVID-19 virus conducted by collecting saliva (spit). It is non-invasive and does not require a trained medical person to administer it. Participants will provide saliva samples at a designated location at school during non-instructional time.

How will I know if my child tests positive? 
You will receive access to your child’s test results via an online platform. You will receive additional information specific to this platform in a future email from us. In addition to posting the test results on the online platform, the school district will contact you if your child tests positive.  

Who will receive my child’s test results? 
In addition to you receiving your child’s test results, the school district and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will also receive your child’s test results, consistent with IDPH guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code. 

What happens if I do not consent to my child participating in the SHIELD testing program?
Participation in the screening testing program is voluntary. Your child will not be subjected to any discipline as a result of your decision not to consent to his/her participation. 

The goal of the testing program is to reduce the number of students and staff who may come into close contact with COVID-19 positive individuals. Additionally, the program will help identify those individuals who are showing COVID-19 symptoms due to an alternative medical issue or diagnosis. Ultimately, this should result in fewer exclusions and shorter quarantine times. 

Can I change my mind later if I decide I do / do not want my child to participate in the SHIELD Illinois testing program at school?
Yes. Consent to participating in the testing program may be granted or revoked at any time. To revoke consent, a parent/guardian must submit a signed and dated letter to your school’s assistant principal of student services requesting to revoke said consent.