Dear SAISD Family Member,

First and foremost, please accept our sincere appreciation for your understanding and support as we navigate the ever-changing challenges of this pandemic. Through collaboration with Community Labs, we are excited to announce that the turnaround time for our COVID-19 testing results will return closer to our normal 24-48 hour processing window this week. We truly apologize that recent results have been delayed, leading us to report “multiple” cases instead of the exact, precise number that you have been accustomed to receiving. 
 
Last week was extremely taxing for education entities, as we addressed issues that not only affected us locally, but also were experienced across the country. Testing companies encountered obstacles that included shipping delays of chemicals needed to process results, a higher volume of test takers due to increased positivity rates, and staffing issues because of illness.

Within our district and on our campuses, these complications resulted in fluid numbers that were constantly changing. We recognize the frustrations this caused our families and staff members, especially since this national and local issue coincided with the first week back from our three-week winter break. We appreciate your return to our COVID-19 testing protocols, and we assure you, we now expect to be closer to a normal reporting week that ensures more timely reporting results. 
 
As a reminder, in addition to testing on our campuses and at our administrative offices, we are thrilled to introduce a new COVID-19 testing option at Alamo Convocation Center, located at 110 Tuleta Drive. A mobile unit, staffed by AccuReference, is available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (On Monday, Jan. 17, hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.) Students and staff may receive both a Rapid and PCR test free of charge; families can receive a free PCR test, and there is a $30 cost for the Rapid test. You may register onsite or pre-register at https://accuref.us/isd-texas/. (Note: With the launch of this mobile unit, Tuesday afternoon testing at Burnet Learning Center has been temporarily suspended. We will send additional notice if the schedule resumes in the future.)

We also invite you to revisit the updated CDC and Metro Health guidelines. Last week we shared updates on changes to isolation and quarantine periods, and already one aspect of isolation has been further clarified by Metro Health. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Spring 2022 Update on our School Safety website at www.saisd.net/schoolstart; look for the yellow box.

Thank you once again for your support of our health and safety efforts. Your safety and the well-being of you and your family remains our number one priority. We currently have in place sound strategies and best practices around mask wearing, weekly COVID-19 testing, vaccination clinics, physical distancing, upgraded air filtration units and air cleaners, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, and contact tracing. We are committed to providing you a safe environment and by working together, we stand ready to address our future challenges with hope, accomplishment and relentless determination. We are SAISD Strong. 
 
Sincerely,

“Dr. J”

Robert Jaklich, Ed. D.  
 
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever.” 
~Mahatma Gandhi