Nimitz Ninth Grade and Nimitz Senior High School student-athletes and staff first to be tested

Aldine ISD plans to add an extra level of protection from COVID-19 for students and staff. Aldine ISD has joined the state rapid testing pilot program offered to districts by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. 

The fast-acting test kits, created by BinaxNOW, allows individuals to take their own nasal sample by simply swabbing the inside of the nostril and providing results in just 15 minutes. 

“We know that social distancing and other safety measures are not always possible during practice or games,” Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney explained. “Our goal is to provide another layer of safety so that student-athletes can continue participating in their athletic events.”

The district is rolling out this initiative with a focus on student-athletes and coaches as well as members of the band, cheer, and dance at Nimitz Ninth Grade and Nimitz Senior High School. The free tests are not mandatory and will be given to students who have permission from a parent or guardian, and will begin being administered during the first week of December. 

The tests will be available to student-athletes participating in the athletics program, band, cheer, and dance. The district’s athletic trainers are the first staff to train on the administration of the tests and will support the testing strategy. Nurses from across the district have also been trained and will be available to assist. 

The TEA has provided the district with testing equipment, PPE, training, and additional notification procedures to ensure each test is conducted safely and results are shared quickly. 

“The goal remains to go as fast as we can and as slow as we must,” said Goffney. “By starting at Nimitz, one of our comprehensive high schools,  we can determine if we can successfully  implement testing districtwide and available to students and employees.”