Dear NPS High School Families,
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.
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. Here are the steps to enroll:
- Complete the opt-in in Aspen (here’s the link)
- High school students then create an account at JCM (do it here) for access to a QR code they use to check in their sample. PLEASE WAIT UNTIL MONDAY, APRIL 26 TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT WITH JCM.
If your student is not already enrolled, please complete the consent form by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 25th. Data will be uploaded to JCM on Sunday evening. Students will then begin participation the week of April 26th.
We recognize that this is one more ask of our students in what has already been a highly stressful and difficult year. However, we believe this decision is best for the health and safety of our students and our entire school community.
Sincerely,
David Fleishman
