COVID-19 Testing Options 


    COVID-19 Testing Protocols


    Registration for SHIELD Illinois Testing

    • Parents should use a desktop or laptop to navigate and sign in to ps.wilmette39.org
    • Choose Forms on the left side
    • Select COVID Testing Consent
    • Complete the form for each child


    Test-to-Stay Protocol

    • Guidance from the Department of Public Health will be followed and changes regularly.
    • Currently available to unvaccinated individuals without symptoms who have been identified as a close contact to a positive case of COVID-19 at school.
    • Test on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 following close contact within school.
    • Must remain symptom-free and negative to continue test-to-stay protocol.


    COVID-19 Testing Consent and Release of Records

    • Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to register for weekly screening, which will also provide access to intermittent testing on an as-needed basis, such as shortened quarantine options, test-to-stay protocol when available, and intermittent testing if potential exposure occurs. Although optional, District 39 highly encourages weekly participation for all unvaccinated students and staff. District 39 also highly encourages weekly participation for unvaccinated students who participate in extracurricular activities, athletics, and any other activities where individuals gather outside of the classroom and potential exposure may occur.
    • Fully vaccinated individuals are encouraged to register for access to intermittent testing on an as-needed basis, such as when potential exposure occurs.


    What is the test?

    It is a saliva based PCR test.

    How will the testing process be different from last year?

    This is a different company and type of test than what we used last school year. Instead of providing the saliva sample at home, the sample will be provided in-person and will take place outside of school hours at one location for all schools. No kits will be sent home. All supplies will be provided onsite with the process facilitated by a third-party operator. In addition, since this is a diagnostic PCR lab test, there is no need for a confirmatory test following a positive test result. Finally, testing through SHIELD Illinois provides access to shortened quarantine options, including test-to-stay protocol.


    Where and when will testing take place?

    The testing location will be at Wilmette Junior High School, 620 Locust Road, in the auditorium lobby. It will be available every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-6:30 pm. If your child is participating in weekly testing, you may bring them on ONE of the days, whichever is more convenient for you. Please note, there may be a wait depending on when families arrive during the window. If you do not have a WJHS student, please arrive no earlier than 3:30 pm so student pick-up is not impacted. Parking is available in the parking lot near the tennis courts or along Locust Road.


    How long will the process take? 

    Although there may be a wait depending on when families arrive during the window, the collection process itself will take approximately 3-5 minutes.


    What do I need to bring? 

    Participants in SHIELD testing must bring their individual QR code in order to get tested. The QR code can be printed, shown digitally, or shown as a picture taken with the phone's camera. SHIELD staff is no longer able to look up an account onsitePlease refrain from eating or drinking for one hour prior to providing the sample.


    How often can my child test? 

    We are making screening testing available to students once per week. We ask that if you register to participate weekly, you make every effort to complete testing every week. In addition, there may be a targeted need to test for symptoms due to exposure, traveling, or following a test-to-stay protocol.


    How will testing help my child stay in school?

    Outside of the benefits to proactive screening for unvaccinated students, if there is a close contact exposure to a positive case, shortened quarantine options may be available, including test-to-stay protocol. Through test-to-stay, your child may stay at school in-person provided they remain symptom-free and return at least four tests over the course of the 7-day quarantine period.


    Is there a fee to test?

    There is no cost to the families or District 39 to participate in testing. Multiple funding sources at a State and Federal level were allocated to the University of Illinois to provide this test to all Illinois schools.


    How will I know if my child tests positive? 

    You will receive notification from SHIELD Illinois with either negative or positive results. If positive, the school nurse will contact you the next school day.


    What should I do when I receive my child’s test results? 

    If your child’s test results are positive, please contact your child’s health care provider immediately to review the test results and discuss next steps on course of care. You may not send your child back to school without a note from your child’s health care provider that indicates your child is no longer positive for COVID-19.

    Although rare, tests sometimes produce incorrect negative results called “false negatives” in people who have COVID-19. If your child tests negative but has symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have concerns about your child’s exposure to COVID-19, you should call your child’s health care provider. 

    Who will receive my child’s test results?

    In addition to you receiving your child’s test results, District 39, and the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) will also receive your child’s test results, consistent with IDPH guidance and the Illinois Control of Communicable Disease Code.

    Where can I learn more about the SHIELD Test?

    District 39 is partnering with the state of Illinois and the University of Illinois to make testing available free of charge to all students and staff through SHIELD Illinois. For more information regarding SHIELD testing, please visit the SHIELD Illinois website and the District 39 COVID Testing page. (See also the IDPH Interim Guidance on Testing for COVID-19 in Community Settings and Schools for complete information on testing.)