The countdown to Christmas break is on for students, but Erie School District leaders are already thinking about what comes after the break.


As Neal Brokman, the Assistant Superintendent and Pandemic Coordinator for the Erie School District explained, "Holidays are for celebrating and getting together with families and so we know that maybe you're going to go see your cousin who you haven't seen in a long time and so we know that we're going to have very large gatherings and so we're just trying to make sure that upon their return back they have the resources that they may need just to find out if they happen to be Covid positive or not Covid positive."


The district will continue to send home free Covid tests that they received through federal funds that are funneled through the state of Pennsylvania.


"We ordered 55,000 Covid tests this summer which we've been using to hand out to families for such times like when they go away on breaks", said Brokman.


This isn't the first time the school has given out Covid-19 tests, they have been giving them out every break since the pandemic began, but they have seen success in the past which is why they have continued to do it.


District officials said it's not mandatory for students to take the tests before they head back into the classroom, but they want to make sure students have option if they want.

"If a family doesn't feel like using it there there there's no obligation to use it, but we just want to make sure that the families have access to the resources in case they but needed them", said Brokman.


Health experts said having a free test on hand is beneficial if people are symptomatic. "It's helpful if you are able to help you identify if you have a disease. I think the most important thing to remember about our over-the-counter Covid test is that they are really sensitive and work really, really well when you have Covid symptoms, so when you have a cough and a fever and a sore throat your, Covid test, if it's covid that's causing that illness it's going to come backs", said Dr. Becky Dawson, Ph.D. , MPH, Erie News Now Contributor and Epidemiologist.

Students will be given tests again during spring break and they can also get through the year as well.