Williamsville Central School District Test to Stay Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated January 27, 2022

Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Test to Stay program?

A: Students and staff members who are not fully vaccinated and identified as a close contact in a school setting to a COVID-19 positive indivdiual are eligible to participate in the Test to Stay program.

Q: If a student or staff member is unvaccinated and identified as a close contact in a school setting are they required to participate in Test to Stay?

A: No, Test to Stay is an optional program being made available to unvaccinated individuals so they can continue to attend school for instructional purposes.  If an unvaccinated individual is identified as a close contact in a school setting and does not participate in TTS, they will be required to quarantine for 5 days and are eligible to return on day 6 provided they remain symptom free.

Q: Is consent required in order to participate in Test to Stay?

A: Yes, consent for staff members and students is required.  Parents/guardians will have to provide consent for their child(ren) to participate in the Test to Stay program.   These consent forms will be available through WITS. 

Q: Do parents/guardians have to accompany their child(ren) to be tested to participate in Test to Stay?

A: Yes, parents/guardians are required to accompany their child(ren) to be tested.

Q: Where will testing take place?

A: Testing will take place at the Amherst Youth & Recreation's Williamsville Youth & Family Center (5005 Sheridan Drive) prior to the school day beginning.

Q: What are the hours for testing?

A: Testing will be available from 6:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Q: Where does my child go after being tested to wait for results?

A: In the testing location, there will be a “waiting area” where parents/guardians, children, and staff members will wait to receive the results of their COVID-19 test.

Q: What kind of COVID-19 test will be used in the Test to Stay program?

A: A COVID-19 rapid antigen test, with results available in 15 minutes, will be used for the Test to Stay program.

Q: Who will be administering the COVID-19 test?

A: The District has partnered with Buffalo Homecare, which will provide medical professionals to administer testing.

Q: How often will testing occur under the Test to Stay program?

A: If identified as a close contact in a school setting, students and staff will be tested a minimum of two times over the course of a five-day period following exposure, in accordance with Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) policy.  One of the tests must occur on day five.  Parents/guardians and staff members will be provided testing dates for when they must test.

Q: What happens if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 while participating in the Test to Stay program?

A:  If a student or staff member receives a positive COVID-19 test result in the Test to Stay program, they will be required to complete the five-day isolation period, in accordance with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Isolation and Quarantine policy, which was adopted by ECDOH, starting with the date of the positive test as “Day 0.”

Q: What happens if a student or staff member becomes symptomatic while participating in the Test to Stay program?

A:  If a student or staff member becomes symptomatic while participating in the Test to Stay program, they are required to stay home and will need to test.  They will be allowed to come to school following a negative test, are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine, do not have a runny nose or cough severe enough to inhibit proper mask wearing, and must be well enough to learn or perform their job responsibilities.

Q: What happens if a student or staff member is scheduled to test but does not test on their designated day?

A:  If a student or staff member is scheduled to test and is not tested, they will not be eligible to attend school or work for that day.

Q: If an unvaccinated individual is participating in Test To Stay, are they eligible to attend athletic events, extra-curricular activities, or participate in clubs after the school day?

A: No, Test to Stay is a program designed to allow unvaccinated individuals to attend school and are not allowed to participate in athletic events, extra-curricular activities, or participate in clubs after the school day.

Q: Can students ride the bus while participating in Test to Stay?

A: On days they are tested, parents/guardians will have to provide transportation to the testing location and to school.  On days when students are not scheduled, they are able to ride the bus, however it is highly recommended parents/guardians provide transportation to school during the testing period.

Q: Are Universal Pre-K students eligible to participate in this program?

A: Yes, UPK students that are in our school buildings (Country Parkway and Forest) are eligible to participate in the District’s COVID-19 Test to Stay program.  UPK students who are not in our buildings will have to work with their respective outside agency.