Framingham Students & Staff, Who Travel During Break, Will Need Negative COVID-19 To Return To Classrooms

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FRAMINGHAM – Framingham Public Schools welcomed its highest needs students in phases 1 & 2 back to classrooms this week. The District is gearing up to welcome the Phase 3 & 4 students back to the classrooms after the traditional February break.

Many students have not been in the classrooms since March 2020.

And while the district is excited to have its “students and staff back in school,” it is a little worried with the February vacation break about a week away, starting on Friday night, February 12, that vacation could increase the spread of COVID-19.

“I want to remind everyone that, in most instances, travel outside of Massachusetts will require COVID PCR testing and quarantine until a negative PCR test is received,” said the Superintendent of Schools Bob Tremblay in correspondence to families today, February 5.

Several questions have come up that I want to clarify:

If I have a travel question, whom do I contact?
Contact covid@framingham.k12.ma.us so the COVID Team can answer your questions before you travel. 

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If I travel during the break, what should I do?
Get a PCR test and remain home until you receive your result. Send the result to your school nurse at least 24 hours prior to a return to school. 

When should I get the PCR test?
Either within 72 hours of return to Massachusetts WHILE traveling or IN Massachusetts following your return. You cannot test in Massachusetts prior to travel to meet the 72 hour testing requirement, even if it is a brief trip and you will return within that time frame. We strongly recommend that you be tested 4-5 days following your return to Massachusetts.

What happens if I don’t comply with the order?
If you do not comply with the order and we become aware, we will call you and ask that your children be picked up from school immediately. Please do not put them or us in that position.

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We recognize that these measures are inconvenient. Please keep in mind that travel can further the spread of the virus and is not recommended by all major public health experts, organizations, and the Governor’s Travel Order.

“Again, we are very grateful for the very high level of cooperation we have witnessed thus far.  For the safety of our staff, families and community it will remain important for this level of vigilance to continue as we make our way through the winter months,” wrote Tremblay.