Salem Looks To Bring Coronavirus Testing Into Schools

SALEM, MA — As Salem Public Schools hope to bring back more students for in-person learning, amid rising coronavirus rates across the country, on-site testing is one way the district is looking at to help keep the buildings open and safe.

Salem Superintendent Stephen Zrike said during his weekly video conference with the school community that he has been working with Mayor Kim Driscoll's office to provide testing for staff and some students at the schools.

"I think it would be optional," Zrike said. "But I think it's important. It will be another mitigation strategy for us to quickly detect cases and quickly quarantine people."

Salem was also chosen as one of 134 districts the state announced will be eligible for rapid testing supplies that state education officials said on Wednesday should be sent to districts by early December.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Director Jeffrey Riley said at a news conference that districts had to meet the criteria of having some in-person learning, having the ability to report tests and training for staff administrating those rapid tests.

"By testing students and teachers and getting results within minutes, we will be able to identify infected individuals and their close contacts more quickly and to help stop any spread," Riley said.

Tests will be provided to districts free of cost. Since the rapid test is less reliable than the molecular test, those who test positive will have a follow-up molecular test to confirm the results.

Zrike said students welcomed back to the schools on Monday will remain in the hybrid learning model — at least for now — despite rising case numbers, while the hope is to bring back all students who want to be in school to some in-class learning early in 2021.

He targeted Jan. 4 as that date at Monday's Salem School Committee meeting.

"Our intention is to give all students the option to return to in-person learning," he said. "We do feel like we have to provide the option.

"It does not escape us that numbers are rising throughout the state and throughout the country. We are looking at spread in our schools and we are also looking for evidence of spread throughout the state."

Salem brought back 750 students in grades pre-kindergarten through second grade, sixth grade, ninth grade and some vocational students on Monday.

"While it's not everybody," he said, "It's an important start to get our students back in school."

In order to keep students in schools, Zrike said the district needs families to be very careful over Thanksgiving break when it comes to travel and family gatherings that involve family members from outside of the household.

"We know that is hard for folks who are used to seeing their families but it is really the only way we can ensure that we continue to have students in school," he said.

While it is discouraged, families that travel outside of the state to states not on the travel-exempt list must quarantine for 14 days and should notify the school nurse of that travel.

Families that get together with those beyond the people who live in the same household are advised to follow the state limit of 10 people for an indoor gathering.

"We all need to make sacrifices in order to keep each other safe," he said. "Hopefully, this is the last push before we have a vaccine. Certainly, as we're more indoors we really have to buckle down.

"I ask for your assistance because our children's educational experience depends on it."

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