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Date: 11/16/2021
SOUTH HADLEY –The South Hadley School Committee met to discuss a variety of agenda items including an update on COVID-19 vaccine availability and the district’s Test and Stay Program on Nov. 4.
According to Superintendent Jahmal Mosley, South Hadley Public Schools will be partnering with the Public Health Department on a mobile vaccination van. The van will be offering COVID-19 vaccines to students, staff and families.
“We’re not forcing it, but we’re making it available,” said Mosley.
He said that with the announcement of the vaccine being safe for children, the district wants to make access as easy as possible.
“One of the things we want to do is make it easier and more accessible for both our students, staff and our parents out there,” he said.
A date for the mobile vaccination has not been announced yet and Mosley said to be on the lookout for updates.
The School Committee then discussed the Test and Stay Program. According to Mosley and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mark McLaughlin, consent forms for the program have been sent out to parents and families.
“If you’re a family who is still on the fence and not completely sure that they would like to provide consent, you can always access that link and you can join the program whenever you feel it’s right for you to do,” said McLaughlin.
The district has received the testing materials needed to begin the program and are now looking to assemble proper staffing as quickly as possible. McLaughlin said they anticipate this to happen within a week and then testing can begin.
“The sooner that people get their consent forms back in, the more quickly we can be up and running once the staff is in place,” he said.
For Test and Stay, students are tested for COVID-19 when they are considered a close contact of someone who contracted the virus. They will be given a rapid test, BinaxNOW, daily for at least five days from the date of exposure. If they continue to test negative, they are allowed to remain in school.
McLaughlin said that students and families will be notified again once the program is officially up and running.
Mosley also offered an update on the Mosier School repairs. He said that work on the three exit points outside of the portables is moving along. He said they hope to be able to complete work there in a matter of days.
The School Committee also welcomed a new member during the meeting. Eric Freisner was elected to the committee in a special joint meeting of the School Committee and Selectboard on Oct. 26.
Those interested in viewing the School Committee Meeting in its entirety are encouraged to visit the South Hadley Community Television page.