Pooled Testing (six-week trial)
The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has made a 6-week trial available for pooled testing starting around the Feb Break Time period. While we are still uncertain of all the details and the timeline (daily webinars bring more clarity), we will discuss what we know with the public on Monday our school committee meeting (see sidebar meeting link and details).
I will send consent forms to staff emails and to students/families (via Blackboard Connect) on Monday. DESE indicates that the faster districts get this administrative task done, the faster they can allow us to begin. Therefore, we are asking you to please fill out the electronic form ASAP.
If you can reserve logistical questions until we have held a more in-depth forum with the community, we'd appreciate it. We understand we are asking you to sign a form of consent (which you can revoke at any time). However, this is like being "preapproved for the mortgage" when buying a home—they want us to move and the faster we gain high numbers for participation, the faster they will help us move to implement.
Forms will arrive on Monday in the late afternoon. Stay tuned.