Brookline Schools To Offer Free​ COVID-19 Surveillance Testing

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline Public Schools will begin weekly asymptomatic testing of student-facing staff for at least two months this winter, according to town officials.

The town authorized $300,000 to pay for voluntary weekly testing of school staff as well as students in grade six and above, participating in hybrid learning.

"While we are confident that the measures we have taken to date are highly effective in limiting in-school transmission, this program will also support that goal," Interim Superintendent Jim Marini said in a statement.

The tests will ensure staff can monitor their own results every week, said School Committee member and chair of the Remote Learning Task Force Susan Wolf Ditkoff, who led organization of this testing program for the committee.

"Real-time, system-wide information will also help provide specific steps and peace of mind for our entire school community," she said.

Coordinator of School Health Services Patricia Laham and staff are working to finalize the logistics of the testing programs, according to the town.

Brookline Public Schools is following the lead of neighboring communities like Wellesley, which rolled out free voluntary random coronavirus tests on students and faculty at the beginning of the school year to help prevent a potential silent outbreak and build confidence in a return to school.

Also read:

• Brookline Teachers Union Pushes For Surveillance Testing
• Newton Public Schools To Offer Free Coronavirus

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.