Polled Testing Information and Consent Form

 Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians:


Thank you for your continued collaboration during this unprecedented school year. In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have been working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to implement a free COVID-19 Pooled Testing Program for non-symptomatic students and staff at our school. This free program runs through April 18, 2021. At that point, we will assess the program to determine if it is something we will continue to implement. 


WHAT IS POOLED TESTING? Pooled testing involves mixing several individual’s test samples together into one “pool” and then testing the pooled sample for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This method increases the number of individuals who can be tested at one time and allows us to regularly monitor our students and staff for the presence of COVID-19. 


HOW IS POOL TESTING IMPLEMENTED? Pooled tests will be performed weekly on participating students and staff during the school day. Test samples are collected with a self-administered shallow nasal swab. Staff will assist students in kindergarten and 1st grade. In most cases, pooled test results will be received in 24-48 hours. 


If the result of the pool is negative, then all individuals are presumed to not have COVID-19. If the results of a pool indicate further testing is required, then all individuals in that pool will be retested individually by the school nurse using the Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Test. Those students and/or staff are tested as soon as possible and will receive individual results in 15 minutes. If the BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Test does not reveal the positive pool member, an individual PCR follow-up test will then be performed by the school nurse and sent out to the lab for processing. 


HOW TO PARTICIPATE In order for your student to participate in the COVID-19 pooled testing program at our school, we will need your consent to be submitted electronically through Project Beacon (a non-profit organization that was hired by the state to host this program). This form includes permission to:

  •  consent to transmit student information through Project Beacon

  •  consent to any necessary individual diagnostic follow-up testing

  •  consent to share test result information with the Department of Public Health. 


By registering on the Project Beacon platform you will consent to have your child participate in this program. If you have previously created your child’s profile and registered your child for the symptomatic BinaxNOW Antigen Testing through Project Beacon, you will need to create a separate Project Beacon profile and registration under your child’s existing account for the Pooled Testing program.


Each parent will receive an email invitation from Project Beacon to register your child. If you haven’t received the email, check your SPAM, if you still have not received the email, please contact your child’s school nurse.


Here is a link with general consent information for your review. You will be prompted to provide consent electronically when registering your child for the program through Project Beacon.

ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED REGISTRATION AND CONSENTS BY MARCH 12TH IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST POOLED TESTING.


Douglas Public Schools is pleased to add pooled testing as an additional mitigation strategy as we continue to work to assist in the safe return of all students and staff to school.


If you would like important information about the Pooled Testing program please see Frequently Asked Questions document.


If you have questions about the COVID-19 Pooled Testing Program please contact your building’s School Nurse.


Douglas High School testing begins 3/22

Melanie Gaucher, BSN, BA, RN

mgaucher@douglasps.net, 508-476-4123


Douglas Middle School testing begins 3/29

Kathleen Campbell, BSN, RN, NCSN

kcampbell@douglasps.net, 508-476-3332, ext 5


Douglas Elementary School testing begins 4/5

Melanie Brundage, BSN, RN, NCSN

mbrundage@douglasps.net, 508-476-4200, ext 5


Douglas Primary School testing begins 4/12

Heather Tarantino, BSN, RN

htarantino@douglasps.net, 508-476-2154

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