By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough/Southborough-The Northborough Southborough Public Schools began their weekly COVID-19 pool screening program for students. The start has been slow and the District is looking for a much higher percentage of participation moving forward.
“We are hoping as we continue that the number will continue to grow with student participation,” said District Wellness Coordinator Mary Ellen Duggan.
Parents are reminded that registration for the screening is ongoing.
The District Dashboard is updated weekly and the screening results will be tracked and posted.
The Algonquin Regional High School Fall II athletic season has begun, and some of these sports are higher risk sports for transmission of the virus. The District has made screening mandatory for students who participate in any in-person extracurricular activities.
“Some towns, but not a lot are at the level where we are doing students and requiring it of athletes,” said Duggan.
Algonquin Principal Sean Bevan said the mandatory screening is “to ensure we can get the whole season in and have athletics not possibly jeopardize our ability to have in-person instruction continue uninterrupted.”
Superintendent Greg Martineau said that the District may rely on Bevan and teachers to help get the word out to students that testing is an option. This could include demonstrations of what the kit looks like and showing a video on the easy self-swabbing process.
“Our goal is to get 80 percent participation or greater,” said Martineau. “We have some work to do in that area.”
