Shelby County Schools announced plans to offer routine COVID-19 testing to all students and employees for the upcoming academic school year. The program will make testing available on-campus at each school on a bi-weekly basis. The testing program, called Test to Protect Our Schools, is free for students and staff. The program provides an additional tool to ensure the health and safety of faculty and students in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This testing program will help us track and help prevent the spread of the virus,” said Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Joris M. Ray. “The testing program allows the Health Department to take swift action in the event someone tests positive for COVID-19. In-school testing, along with our established cleaning and masking protocols, will help us RETURN STRONGER as we prepare to start the school year with in-person learning throughout the District.”

Test to Protect Our Schools will begin on August 9, 2021, which is the first day back to school for Shelby County Schools. Testing is optional, but participation is encouraged. Parents and guardians can sign up now to consent for their child(ren) to participate in the program or download a consent form and return it to their child's school. Unlike earlier versions of the test with a deep swab, this version consists of a quick swipe of the outer nostril. Results are ready within 24 hours. 

Sign up to consent for your child to participate in the testing. 

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Download and print a consent form to drop off at your child’s school. English / Spanish 

For more information on the program, call 901-271-2671 or email [email protected].

About Poplar Healthcare: Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Memphis, TN, Poplar Healthcare is a leading laboratory services company providing specialized laboratory testing services to a nationwide client base of medical providers and their patients. In March of 2020, the company began running polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests which is the standard diagnostic test for COVID-19. Poplar Healthcare conducts a variety of COVID testing, including both individual and pooled testing, and partners with multiple organizations to offer affordable testing solutions. Learn more at www.PHC-COVID.com.