Dr. Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent, is pictured last fall greeting a student. The superintendent said he is eagerly awaiting state Health Department back-to-school guidance. P-J file photo

The Jamestown Public School has received free at-home COVID test kits from New York state for every enrolled student. JPS families will be able to pick up the free at-home COVID test beginning today.

Student name and ID or date of birth will be required to pick up the tests.

The tests may be picked up at a student’s school of enrollment on school days between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. If families have children in multiple schools, they may pick up one test kit for each child at any one school of enrollment. If a parent is unable to pick up a test, contact the main office of the child’s school. The free tests are an optional opportunity for families to help ensure that JPS continues to be a safe and healthy place for students and staff but are not required to attend school.

“Our first priority is keeping our students and employees safe and in school and we are hopeful that this voluntary option for parents will help us continue to do that,” said Dr. Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent. “By determining if there are any unnecessary COVID exposures via this optional at-home testing, we can limit the potential for illness or quarantine that can be incredibly disruptive to the learning and livelihood of families.”

New York state provided one free test kit containing two tests for each enrolled student in the district. Instructions on how to administer the COVID test are included in the pack.

Tests may also be picked up at the Central Administration Building, 197 Martin Road, from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please plan to provide each child’s student ID number and/or name and date of birth.

For more information and frequently asked questions, visit http://jpsny.org/COVIDTesting.