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Urging families to register for text messaging, COVID tests
September 3, 2021 – Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is updating the process for families to get a COVID-19 test and be notified if their child is a close contact of a positive COVID case. Here are the changes:
NOTIFICATIONS: The parents/guardians of students who are considered close contacts of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 will now be contacted via text and email through JCPS’ School Messenger system. That means families should make sure they are registered in the School Messenger system and their child’s school has up-to-date contact information. Parents/guardians can opt in to School Messenger by texting the letter "Y" to 67587. The overwhelming majority of JCPS families are signed up for School Messenger.
IN-SCHOOL COVID TESTING: Parents/guardians are being encouraged to register their child for free, easy COVID-19 tests at their school. Nearly 9,000 students have received parental consent to receive the tests, which are now being offered in every JCPS school building. Wild Health is the company administering the COVID tests with same day results being emailed to parents/guardians.
UPDATED 9/20: Since the in-school testing began August 12th, more than 39,000 tests have been administered to JCPS students and staff.
“This is a great way to keep COVID from spreading rapidly in our schools” said Dr. Eva Stone, JCPS health services manager. “Most of these students and staff who have tested positive were asymptomatic, meaning they had no idea they were carrying and potentially spreading the virus to their classmates and co-workers. If we can get more of our JCPS family members to get tested routinely, we can find the virus early and get it out of our schools.”
REGIONAL TESTING SITES AT JCPS SCHOOLS: The demand for free COVID tests at 16 JCPS school sites has doubled in the past week, causing long lines at some sites. The tests are available to JCPS students, staff and their immediate family members. The company administering the tests, SphereDX, is strongly encouraging people to register for a test as drive-up requests slow down the testing process.
UPDATED 9/20: JCPS and SphereDX have added six more test sites bringing the total number of sites to 22 middle and high schools. Here is a list of the sites.
The testing centers are open from 3 – 7 p.m. weekdays.
SphereDX’s customer service representatives are available to answer questions and troubleshoot registrations at (502) 830-9503. The phone line is currently open weekdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.