WORCESTER, Mass. — Teachers and staff members at the Gerald Creamer Center picked up COVID-19 test kits and masks on Sunday before heading back to their classrooms on Monday.

Worcester Public Schools leaders said the city allocated more than 4,000 kits to the district — and there weren’t any delays.

“We all were on vacation and seeing our family members, hopefully, so yeah, it does make me feel a little bit better that we have the opportunity to take [tests] before interacting with our colleagues and students," teacher Taylor Nunez said. 

What You Need To Know

  • Worcester Public Schools are returning from break on Monday 

  • Rapid COVID-19 test kits were handed out to staff on Sunday 

  • As of Sunday afternoon, at least 75 staff members had tested positive for the virus 

  • The district has a plan to move staff to other buildings if needed

Other districts in Central Massachusetts were waiting for the 200,000 kits coming from the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to come in.

“All staff members in the building will receive a test," said Timothy Whalen, the director of the Gerald Creamer Center. 

While taking the tests isn’t a requirement, district leaders are hoping the recommendation will help mitigate the spread of the omicron variant.

“These kits are very important because we want staff to self-assess what their situation is and then be honest and genuine in reporting it to us, and that in some cases they are testing positive," Worcester Public Schools' school safety director, Rob Pezzella, said. 

As of Sunday afternoon, at least 75 staff members had tested positive for the virus, according to Pezzella. However, Pezzella said the district is prepared for classes to resume on Monday. 

“We are going to school tomorrow. Every one of our principals are ready to go. They are going to deal with what they have to deal with," he said. "If there are staff shortages, they are going to do what they have to do to keep kids learning, but it's going to be a challenge.”

Pezzella said the district has a contingency plan in place which would move staff members to different buildings, if needed.

Superintendent Maureen Binienda is also monitoring the situation along with the school committee. Meanwhile, staff members who have tested positive are following the newest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isolation guidance, which has now been adopted by the state.