Montclair Schools To Hold 2 COVID Test Clinics For Students

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Public School District will hold a pair of free COVID-19 testing clinics for local students on Thursday, Dec. 30 and Friday, Dec. 31 as the winter holiday season draws to a close.

Superintendent Jonathan Ponds announced the upcoming clinics in a message to the school community on Tuesday. He wrote:

“We hope you are enjoying a peaceful break. While the schools are closed, the district has been working through the holiday season to prepare for a safe return to full-time, in-person instruction on Jan. 3, which includes working closely with the Montclair Health Department. We are happy to announce that the district is offering free testing (from Medi Mobile of Livingston) for your children and no appointment necessary while supplies last. We hope that this service will provide a level of comfort and convenience while your children get ready to return to school.”

The clinics take place at the following times and places:

• Dec. 30 - from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Annex Atrium, 141 Park Street (parking in the back on North Fullerton)
• Dec. 31 - from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Wally Choice Center, 45 Maple Avenue (in Glenfield Park)

Ponds offered some additional details about the return to classrooms:

“In addition to testing, a key mitigating strategy to keeping students and staff safe and in the classroom, we are increasing the number of substitutes for the first few weeks of January and making sure the heating systems are working properly when we return. We thank you for partnering with us by completing the health screening forms before entering the buildings. If your children are unvaccinated and you traveled during this break, please notify your principal upon your return so that virtual instruction can be provided if needed. We will continue to monitor our schools closely throughout the winter and stay in contact with the Montclair Health Department. Our students and staff deserve to be full-time, in-person with all the opportunities that school offers in activities, enrichment, and socialization. Our district is committed to providing safe ways for students to engage in a full school experience, and we look forward to greeting them in 2022.”

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