Salem Schools Offers Gift Card Incentive For Coronavirus Testing

Salem MA

26 July, 2021

11:16 AM

Description

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools is offering a $25 gift card incentive for students enrolled in summer programs who participate in weekly coronavirus testing through a state pilot program. The surveillance tested is aimed at gauging virus levels in the city for those who do not have symptoms. Students who are showing illness symptoms should be kept home from all summer programs. Salem is one of a small group of districts involved in the gift card program. Participating students in the program will be tested weekly using the nasal swab test. Swabs will be "pool tested" in groups to determine if any of them is positive for coronavirus. If a pool of tests is positive, those students in that group will get a follow-up rapid test at the school the next day. While the program is optional, participation is encouraged to "help us ensure we keep COVID-19 out of our schools." Students attending programs at Horace Mann, Carlton, Saltonstall, ECC or Salem High School who participated in testing during the school year will receive the gift card. Those students who did not participate in testing during the school year, but would now like to do so, can complete registration for Salem High here or can register here for programs at other schools. Parental or guardian consent is necessary for testing. Staff will ensure that students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade are tested each week and they will be eligible for the gift card upon registration. Students in grades 9 through 12 will be eligible for the gift card after receiving their first test. To qualify for the gift cards, students must be registered by Tuesday for grades pre-K through eighth grade, and high school students must take part in the July 28 weekly testing. Gift cards will be issued during the first week of August. Those with any questions can contact Salem Schools Chief of Opportunity and Resource Chelsea Banks at [email protected]. Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)