Dear Families, 

Considering the recent increase of positive cases in Essex County as well as the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, JCC MetroWest will be requiring all children and staff who work directly with children to submit a negative PCR test result prior to returning to JCC MetroWest on Monday, January 3rd. Please bring your child’s results with you in person or be prepared to show the results on your phone. Please do not email them. The test date must be December 30th or later to be counted. We understand the need to balance safety versus the needs for consistent childcare and school programming. This timeframe should allow enough time for the receipt of results so that your child may return on January 3rd to the Early Childhood Center, Kid’s Club programs, aquatics programs, etc.

We do not have sufficient tests to accommodate testing the entirety of our JCC MetroWest children's programming participants and staff at this time. Therefore, we are not able to provide this testing on site without extending the winter break vacation beyond January 3rd. 

As we find ourselves back in a quickly changing pandemic environment, the health and safety of our community continues to be our highest priority. Unfortunately, there are no one-size fits all solutions. We feel strongly that everyone returning with a negative PCR result addresses the concern of safety without having to compromise childcare at least upon the date of return.

We would like to mention that with the highly contagious Omicron variant - which is affecting vaccinated individuals - we ask you to consider, in the spirit of community, that after your child tests your family does all that it can in keeping safe and free from potential exposure.

We wish you and your family a Happy New Year! 

Sedef Dizon, RN
JCC MetroWest Health Coordinator
sdizon@jccmetrowest.org
973-530-3435