COVID-19 Testing for South Students Start March 8 – Consent Form

Dear NPS Families,

Next week, the Newton Public Schools will launch free weekly COVID-19 testing for all students and staff. The testing will be phased in, beginning with all staff and all high school students the week of March 1st. You will find a timeline below for phasing in students at all school levels.

The district has partnered with JCM Analytics to conduct the testing. Tests are “pooled” together to increase the number of students that can be tested at one time and reduce costs. JCM uses a shallow nasal swab test to collect the sample. Test kits will be distributed at school to be taken home by students. The sample will then be obtained at home and returned to school to be sent to the lab for testing. Test results will be returned within 48 hours. You will only be notified if your student’s test results are positive or if your student is deemed to be a close contact of a positive case.

Detailed information on this COVID-19 testing program can be found in this Frequently Asked Questions document.

You can also visit our webpage at https://www.newton.k12.ma.us/Page/3826 for details on sample collection and testing process.

This testing is VOLUNTARY and there is no requirement to participate. 

Should you wish for your student to participate, please complete the consent form as soon as possible. The consent form can be found in the Aspen Family/Student Portal. Instructions for finding and completing the consent form can be found here. Translated consent forms and paper consent forms are available from your student’s school.

PLEASE NOTE: if you previously completed a consent form for the Abbott Binax NOW symptomatic testing via the Project Beacon website, you MUST complete this new consent form.

If you have questions regarding the COVID-19 Pool Testing Program please email the district at community@newton.k12.ma.us.

TIMELINE for Testing Roll Out

Week of March 1

Testing for all NPS staff in buildings or at the Education Center. Test kits distributed to high school students who have opted-in. (more information will be sent to HS families from building principals)

Week of March 8

Testing begins for high school students who have opted-in.

Week of March 22

Testing begins for Pre-K and elementary students who have opted-in.

Week of April 12: Testing begins for middle school students who have opted-in.

If you need this information translated, please copy and paste it into Google Translate. The link to Google translate is http://translate.google.com/