Williamsville Central School District

Font Size

09-10-21 Proximal and Surveillance Testing Information for Families

September 10, 2021

Dear Williamsville Central School District Families,

In partnership with the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), Buffalo Home Care, and Quadrant Bioscience Laboratory, the District is offering two on-site optional COVID-19 testing programs in our school buildings: proximal testing and surveillance testing. These testing programs were made possible through federal funding, which was allocated to ECDOH to support COVID-19 testing in schools.

Proximal testing is for individuals who do not meet close contact criteria but were exposed to a COVID-19 case in the same room.  This type of testing occurs 3-5 days after exposure to a positive COVID-19 case. 

Surveillance testing is for any individual, regardless of vaccination status, as a way to monitor and contain the spread of COVID-19.  This type of testing occurs on a weekly basis and consists of a random selection of 10% of the consenting school population.

Anyone vaccinated or unvaccinated who consents can be tested in one or both programs.

The tentative start dates for these programs are:

  • Proximal Testing – September 13, 2021
  • Surveillance Testing – October 4, 2021

Prior to these tentative start dates, if you choose to have your child(ren) participate in one or both of the optional testing program, please follow the steps outlined below by ECDOH, in order, to ensure that your child is correctly enrolled in this program. 

Please ensure that consent forms in steps 3 and 4 are BOTH completed to enroll in the program.

Step 1: Watch the ECDOH Program Overview Presentation

Step 2: Watch the Quadrant Program Registration Video. Quadrant is the laboratory we are partnering with to process and analyze the samples collected. 

Step 3: Complete and submit the ECDOH Program Consent Form

Step 4: Register with and complete the Quadrant Program Consent Form.

It is important to note that you can withdraw consent at any time by emailing covidconsent@erie.gov and include your child’s full name and date of birth.

If you have any questions, please contact the ECDOH School Team at (716) 858-1918. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall
Superintendent of Schools