Canton Public Schools' Nursing Team Provides Coronavirus Pooled Testing Program Updates

Press release from Canton Public Schools:

Hello Canton Families,

"I hope this message finds you well. As you may know, the Canton Nursing Team has implemented a Pooled Testing Program in the district to help understand the COVID prevalence rate in our community, and to help detect COVID cases within our schools with the aim of reducing potential outbreaks. This program is highly endorsed by local and state health officials and will be funded through the end of the school year by the state of Massachusetts.

Thank you to all who have been participating in the program to date! For those who haven’t yet signed on, I encourage you to do so, as the more participation we have, the more beneficial the program becomes. We began our pilot program at GMS in March, expanded to JFK in April, and are adding consenting students at these schools weekly. We hope to begin the program at the Luce and Hansen elementary schools in the coming weeks and include all grades within GMS and CHS. Please be on the lookout for an email from your child’s school with information and the link to consent to participate in the Pooled Testing Program.

Concentric by Ginkgo is hosting an information session for families to learn more about Pooled Testing and have a chance to ask questions on Thursday, April 29, 7:00-8:00pm. Registration link below.

Registration Link: https://ginkgobioworks.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0kf–przwqGNKTalsna-S2xShg2sY3iZoo

This information session will give caregivers a chance to learn a bit more about pooled testing, and ask questions of a special guest who serves as a district testing coordinator and is also a fellow parent!

Please see below for a weekly update on our COVID-19 Pooled Testing Program:

Week of April 26, 2021:

● Number of schools in the district testing: 2, JFK & GMS

● Number of students participating: 124

● Number of staff participating: 27

● Number of pooled tests run since March 9, 2021: 43

● Number of positive pools: 0

To view Pooled Testing Frequently Asked Questions click here, and the Canton Nursing Team is also happy to answer any of your questions you may have. We are here for you and our students!"

Lauren Pushard, RN
Nurse Leader, Canton Public Schools

This press release was produced by Canton Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.