Newton Public School’s partnership with JCM to provide Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing at South started on March 8th. But 30% participation from NSHS families is low compared to some neighboring districts seeing 75% participation.
Today, Superintendent Fleishman sent an update to all families: Required COVID Testing for HS Extracurriculars. See below for details:
“As you know, we have made every effort over the past several weeks to encourage voluntary participation in our COVID testing program. Unfortunately, our participation rates are not meeting expectations nor are they at the level at which the pool testing is significantly useful in terms of gauging infection rates. In addition, COVID cases are rising among young people and there have been outbreaks in other towns and cities linked to athletics. Given we are returning more students to the building beginning April 26, we have determined we need to take more significant action.
Given we are returning more students to the building beginning April 26, we have determined we need to take more significant action.
Therefore, we have made the decision to MANDATE TESTING for all high school extracurricular activities. This is a mandate not only for students participating in athletics, but for any students participating in in-person extracurricular activities.
If your student participates in any in-person extracurricular activity, they must be enrolled and participate weekly in our pool testing program.”
5 Easy Steps to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 and Get Started:
Step 1: Sign the consent form here to give your consent once. The consent form can be found in the Aspen Student/Family Portal.
Step 2: Create an account at JCM Analytics (testing vendor) website at https://workflow.jcmworks.com/
Step 3: Get the QR Code from JCM – you get the code once, save it on your phone or print it out.
Step 4: Pick up Nasal Swab Kit at School
Step 5: Bring the Swab Kit with QR back on his/her designated cohort day. Get a new kit for the following week. No news is good news!
