Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Franklin Public Schools: Jan 12, 2021 Re-opening Update on Pool Testing

January 12, 2021

Dear Franklin Families and Faculty/Staff,
 
On Friday, Governor Baker and Commissioner Riley announced a new testing pilot for K-12 public schools that screens asymptomatic individuals for the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This relatively new testing format is an effective, lower-cost solution to individual tests. It is intended to provide an additional layer of prevention within the school and community. This testing pilot is offered at no cost to districts for the first six weeks, after which districts can use federal stimulus funding (or other resources) to continue the testing program.
 
I will be speaking further about the testing opportunity at the School Committee meeting this evening. The effectiveness of the program is dependent on two things:
1.    A relatively low rate of COVID-19 within the community and
2.    A relatively high participation rate of faculty, staff, and students.
 
The Superintendent’s Report at School Committee tonight will form the basis of an educational slide show that will be shared with you to explain more about this “pool testing”. We will send a survey to families and to faculty/staff to gauge interest in participation. Formal consent forms are part of the testing program and would be completed later on.
 
I will send the slide show and survey tomorrow. To assist you in completing the survey, the district will hold a webinar on pool testing for families on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 7:00 PM. A Q and A session for Faculty/Staff will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 3:00 PM. Links will be shared when the survey is sent out. In the meantime, please read the additional information at the end of this document.
 
We are enthusiastic that testing, along with the rollout of vaccines, will provide two important tools that assist us with having instruction in our school buildings. These should offer additional reassurance that COVID-19 is being contained in our school community to both faculty and families alike.
 
Sincerely, 
 
Sara Ahern
Superintendent of Schools 
 
Read the full memo, pages 2-3 contain additional info on the pool testing process 


Franklin Public Schools: Jan 12, 2021 Re-opening Update on Pool Testing
Franklin Public Schools: Jan 12, 2021 Re-opening Update on Pool Testing


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