The District will be implementing FREE COVID-19 testing for all students on Wednesday 9/8/21 from 3 PM to 7 PM at Redshaw Elementary School (use Delavan St entrance) and New Brunswick Middle School (use Joyce Kilmer St entrance). Lab Q Diagnostics will be administering the tests. Your ID is required for registration purposes only. If your child has had COVID within the last 3 months, do not have them tested. Click HERE to scan the QR code for your child's school and register your child. 

August 26, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the school year begins, students in New Jersey will be fully returning to in-person learning. To ensure that your child and all New Jersey students are protected against COVID-19 once schools open, here are a few steps you and your family can take in the weeks ahead.

COVID-19 testing for students: An important step in reopening schools safely is to ensure that everyone returning is free of the COVID-19 virus. The District will be implementing a free COVID-19 testing program that will specifically target asymptomatic employees and students. Testing for students will take place on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 3 PM to 7 PM at Redshaw Elementary School and New Brunswick Middle School. Lab Q Diagnostics will be administering the tests.  Specimen collection for testing involves using a swab, similar to a Q-Tip, placed inside the tip of the nose.  Additional testing will be offered weekly and will be voluntary for all  employees. Your ID is required for registration purposes only. Additional information, including COVID-19 testing schedules by location will be distributed in the coming days. 

Be sure to mask up: When students, teachers, staff, and families correctly and consistently wear masks they protect themselves and others. This is especially important as of late, given the more transmissible Delta variant. All students, staff, and visitors in K–12 schools will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.

Get your child vaccinated: Everyone 12 years-old and up is eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. The FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19 and remain the leading way to protect your child, your family, and your community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all eligible students be vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccinations for 12 through 17-year-olds require 2 doses, so for the best possible protection against COVID-19 and the highly transmissible Delta variant, students should be scheduled for their first dose as early as possible.

Get yourself and other household members vaccinated: Students are best protected when those around them are also protected – especially if they are under the age of 12 and cannot be vaccinated themselves. To protect yourself and your child ahead of the first day of school, please get vaccinated as soon as possible and encourage others in your household and community to get vaccinated as well.

Vaccines are free for all, immigration status will not be asked, and health insurance is not required.

Have those who are not vaccinated get tested for COVID-19: If your child cannot be vaccinated (<12 years old) or is not vaccinated, we encourage you to have them tested for COVID-19 before the start of school. This will reduce the risk of COVID-19 entering schools and disrupting students’ learning and, if done early enough, may allow for any period of isolation to be completed prior to the first day of school (if needed after a positive COVID-19 test result).

To find a COVID-19 vaccination clinic near you:

• Visit the NJ COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Finder
• Call the NJ Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545
• Visit the vaccine section of NJ COVID-19 Information Hub

To find a free COVID-19 testing site near you:

• Visit COVID-19 Test Site Finder on NJ COVID-19 Information Hub
• Visit Castlight COVID-19 Test Site Finder

Thank you for your help in supporting a safe return to school for our students in the fall!

For additional information please visit the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub (covid19.nj.gov) or call 211 or 1-800-962-1253 with COVID-19 questions (available 24 hours /7 days a week).

Sincerely, 

Dr. Aubrey A. Johnson
Superintendent of Schools 

We are pleased to share that the COVID-19 Vaccine is now being offered via local Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Stop & Shop, and other locations for Pre-K-12 educators, support staff and childcare workers in licensed registered settings. The following steps will assist with vaccination scheduling:

Step 1: Pre-register on the Middlesex County COVID-19 Vaccine scheduling website (Link)

Step 2: Book directly with vaccine locations (Link: Vaccine Locations, PDF) 

Step 3: Vaccine Finder

Step 4: Once you have scheduled a vaccination appointment, notify your school nurse and request substitute coverage for either a half or full sick day if vaccination is during work hours.

Who can get vaccinated?

• Teachers and staff in Pre K-12 schools, Administration staff, Counselors, Classroom aides
• Bus drivers, Janitors, Cafeteria workers, Substitute teachers
• Childcare centers,Head Start and Early Head Start programs
• Licensed childcare providers, including center-based and family care providers

As always, we will continue to follow guidance from our local and state agencies and monitor current safety conditions.  As more information and vaccination locations become available, we will post on our NBPS district website.  

Be safe, wear your mask, and practice social distancing.

Resources:

• COVID-19 Vaccines for COVID-19 Vaccines for Teachers, School Staff, and Childcare Workers
• NJ COVID-19 vaccine page
• Middlesex County COVID-19 vaccine information
• Middlesex County COVID-19 testing information 
• City of New Brunswick eligibility and appointment information
• Walgreens Vaccination Locations