NPS COVID Weekly Testing Update
October 15, 2021
NPS Weekly COVID Testing Update
Dear NPS Families,
Below is the testing schedule for October 18th. You will also find information on testing protocols and vaccination rates for Newton Public School students.
Thank you to all of our NPS families for your continued partnership in this testing program.
Sincerely,
NPS COVID Testing Team
Testing Schedule - Week of October 18th
Here is the link to the COVID testing schedule for the weeks of October 18th: COVID Testing Week of 10/18. You will also see a graphic of the schedule below.
Our goal remains to conduct weekly testing for all PreK-6 grade students. We anticipate that as both staffing and testing efficiencies increase, we will be able to transition to weekly testing for all consented students in grades PreK - 6.
District Data for COVID Cases and Vaccination
Information on districtwide COVID cases and vaccination rates can be found on the Newton Health and Human Services website here: NPS COVID Case Count and Vaccination Rates. Below please find the most up-to-date information on vaccination rates for eligible students in the Newton Public Schools.
What happens if a "pool" is submitted and cannot be tested (for a variety of reasons?)
If a pool cannot be tested at the lab, the school will conduct a BinaxNOW rapid antigen test on all students in that specific pool the following day. Families will be notified only if the rapid test were to show a positive result.
What happens if there is a positive "pool?"
If the pool is positive, a follow up BinaxNOW rapid antigen test is done the next day on all of the students in the pool. And if all of those results are negative, one more antigen test is done the following day. Families will be notified only if the rapid test were to show a positive result.
Updated Communication Protocol
As was the case last year, it is our commitment to be consistent and transparent with notifications of COVID cases in our school buildings. As we continue to respond to COVID scenarios, we have adjusted our communication protocols to be meaningful and informative. Moving forward, please note the changes outlined below:
Close contacts will continue to be notified by the school nurse and provided appropriate instructions.
Students in a class with a positive case will be notified following the identification of close contacts.
Principals will inform families of the number of cases in the school per week through either the weekly eblast/newsletter or a weekly email. This notification will take the place of the “all school” notification that was previously sent on the same day as the class notification.
To view all communication protocols, please see this document: NPS COVID Communication Protocol.
How to Participate in Testing Program
COVID Testing Information and Resources
Below you will find additional resources to answer your questions and concerns about the NPS COVID testing:
Newton Public Schools
Website: www.newton.k12.ma.us
Location: 100 Walnut Street, Newton, MA, USA
Phone: (617) 559-6000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newtonps
Twitter: @newton_ps