Lakewood Public School District is the only Ocean County district currently using the Test-to-Stay program to maximize the amount of classroom time each individual student receives, according to the county Health Department.

Last year, the Lakewood School District was just one of a few statewide that saw full in-person class learning. Through guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the state and county health departments, the program will now allow unvaccinated students who had a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case to remain in class.

“Missing school for 14 days is challenging for kids of all ages, especially the youngest kids, with that it affects different kids in different ways,” says Dan Regenye, of the Ocean County Health Department. “The goal is to keep kids in school for the full experience and the social side of it, the cognitive and learning side of it as well.”

With a parents' consent signature, the program applies to any student from preschool through 12th grade. 

After being identified as a close contact, the student will take a rapid test when they get to the school at the nurse's office. If they're negative, they can resume in-person learning. They'll be tested every other day through the 14-day quarantine period. If they develop symptoms, the student must stay out of school and receive a PCR test.

Parents can also choose not to participate in the program. The student will receive virtual learning at home.