Today is the day when students are expected to take their first COVID swab in preparation for a return to the classroom on Tuesday.

Rapid test kits were distributed to families over the last few days.

Five kits have been assigned to each student and staff member.

Rapid tests are different from the PCR tests conducted in drive-thru clinics, and the swabs do not go deep into the sinus cavity like the ones some people have become familiar with.

Full instructions have come with each of the kits which consist of three items: a swab, a tube with liquid inside, and a test strip.

The swab is inserted into the nostril and should be rubbed around the sides of each nostril for about 15 seconds.

The swab should then be placed inside the pre-filled tube and stirred around 3 or four times, with the swab touching the bottom of the tube.

After stirring, the swab must be left in the tube for at least one minute before it is removed and safely discarded.

The test strip must then be inserted carefully into the tube and left in the tube for at least 10 minutes. \

After 10 minutes, remove the test strip and place it on a flat surface for inspection.

It must be read within 5 minutes of being removed from the tube.

One line is negative, two lines are positive.

The second test must be taken the morning before heading to school on Tuesday.

If both tests are negative, then you’re good to go.

If even one of the tests is positive, then you must isolate and stay home.