COVID Surveillance Testing
We are excited to offer the opportunity for any staff member who works in person in SPS to receive a free, saliva-based COVID surveillance test through the City of Salem every week that school is in session in December. This is a completely optional take-home saliva test that you can pick up at school, complete at home, and drop off the next day.
As we follow best practices and develop a series of policies and procedures to keep school open safely, Salem Public Schools leadership’s foremost goals are to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection and spread and to maximize the opportunity for learning and growth during the 2020-21 academic year through in-person instruction. In addition to implementing the CDC safety recommendations (mandatory face masks, social distancing, improved air filtration), we will conduct a COVID-19 saliva-based pool (or population) test pilot each week school is in session in the month of December.
SPS is contracting with Mirimus to implement this evidence-based approach. Mirimus will test the samples on behalf of SPS.
The testing is optional. We highly encourage staff to participate, as this provides an additional layer to our risk mitigation strategies preventing the transmission of COVID-19. Beginning next week, we will also offer this opportunity for high school students. The test will be the same, but we are still finalizing the logistics details.
Please see below for a number of links to more information.
Consent Document
Registration Forms
Instructions
Surveillance Testing FAQ
COVID-19
The entire Salem Public Schools community – students, parents, and all staff – faces this unprecedented pandemic together. To be successful, we must each commit to each play our role, to be responsible, and to hold each other accountable to manage the risks of the spread of COVID-19 and the risks to our community of not being able to create the level of in-person learning we wish we could given the health and safety priorities.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines