Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) offers diagnostic and routine weekly pooled testing services at no cost to participating school districts through the end of the 2021-2022 school year. This testing includes both symptomatic testing using Binax Now rapid tests, "test and stay" for close contacts of a positive Covid case in school, and weekly pooled PCR testing. According to the DESE website:

"Participating districts and schools are welcome to change or add testing options throughout the school year; however, to minimize the impact of quarantining due to exposure to COVID-19, it is strongly recommended districts participate in both the diagnostic and Routine COVID Pooled Testing components of the COVID-19 testing program."

Needham Public Schools administration opted not to include routine pooled PCR testing at NPS despite many parents advocating for it. Needham thankfully has a very high vaccination rate (for those eligible for vaccination) and the Covid cases in school have been relatively low this year. However, the onset of Omicron, which is thought to be as contagious as measles, is changing this rapidly. Omicron is evading vaccines, so even fully vaccinated children may get and spread Covid much easier in school. The cases in MA, and in Needham, are rising rapidly and many parents strongly believe routine testing would be safest for our children. 

We all want our children to remain in school, in person, safely, to the greatest extent possible. We do not feel that Needham is prioritizing this goal, or the safety of our children and staff members, by not including routine testing in our town. Administration has stated that participating towns have reported low consent/ participation rate- however all districts surrounding Needham have very high participation rates (70-97 percent, with Westwood being the lowest at 57%). Many parents have reached out asking for this testing and have been continually brushed off. The best way for us to ensure uninterrupted learning and protect our most vulnerable students is add this testing into our repertoire of Covid precautionary measures.