Hackley Pool Test Results 10/30/20

Dear Hackley Families and Students,

I am writing to let you know that Hackley received the results of the COVID-19 surveillance test conducted on Friday, October 30. For the ninth consecutive week, all of the samples tested on Friday were found to be negative.

Again, I want to thank students and adults alike for the collective efforts and behaviors that continue to deliver such welcomed news. With the Halloween weekend upon us, it might be tempting to relax from such protocols, but we must all remain vigilant.

• Wear masks when in proximity to others
• Maintain social distance
• Wash and sanitize your hands frequently

Recently, we received several questions regarding a return to campus for students who were absent due to illness. I want to use this opportunity to clarify our approach.

If your child is referred to a doctor for an illness, Hackley’s nursing staff will only clear their return to campus with a signed doctor’s note. If the doctor conducts a COVID test, your student may not return to campus until the results are returned and are found to be negative.

Please note that Hackley will no longer accept the results of “rapid” tests. The Westchester County Board of Health recently issued an advisory to schools regarding antigen and Abbott molecular tests, noting that both should be verified by “a follow up conventional COVID-19 RT-PCR test.” Because the type of test is often not known or stated on any paperwork, school leadership consulted with the COVID Medical Advisory Group and made the decision not to accept rapid results.

The next test date will be Thursday, November 5, a day earlier than normal due to K-8 conferences next Friday. As always, if you have any questions, please contact us at COVIDResponse@hackleyschool.org.

Thank you for your continued partnership. Have a wonderful Halloween weekend!

Forward together,

Michael C. Wirtz P ’29 ’31