Baldwin School District offers free Covid testing for in-person students, their families

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The Baldwin School District recently launched a partnership with ATC Testing and Screening Services LLC to provide free Covid-19 testing for in-person students and their families.

The initiative, which began last week, is part of the district’s ongoing Covid-19 response and effort to ensure the safety of students and staff members, school officials said in a letter to families on the district website.

The testing is being done for the convenience of the students and their families and is not related to the required testing outlined in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s colored zone designation plan.

“I want to just make it very clear that we are not doing this because we are in a yellow, red or orange zone,” Baldwin Schools Superintendent Dr. Shari Camhi said at the Jan. 13 virtual school board meeting. “We are doing this because of the experiences that some of us have had going to neighborhood testing sites.”

Camhi was referring to some of the testing sites in Nassau and Suffolk counties, where the wait times have been up to four hours long or more.

“This is being offered to the community as a convenience,” she said. “It is not necessary; it is not an obligation; it’s not a requirement; it really is just the district going above and beyond for the Baldwin community so that they have access to testing during this time.”

The tests are low nasal swabs, referred to as pediatric swabs — they are not the high nasal swabs that are widely available.

There are no out-of-pocket fees for the testing when you provide either your health insurance card or a Social Security number. If you are unable to provide either, there is a $100 testing fee for each individual being tested.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to the staff at ATC Testing and Screening Services at (917) 803-1333. Testing is conducted between 2 and 7 p.m. on listed days at the District Office, located at 960 Hastings St.

Use the side entrance door on the east side of the building off of Hastings Street. Signs and security staff will direct you. When you arrive, wait in your car until you are called on your cell phone to enter the building. 

Officials ask that you arrive on time for your designated appointment, as they are only scheduled in 10-minute increments and a delay will cause a backup for everyone.

Two completed consent forms, photo ID and an insurance card or Social Security number must be brought to the appointment. Visit baldwinschools.org/covidtestingfamilies for links to the consent forms and more information.