Working in a school environment is hard enough in 2021, but imagine volunteering your time on the front lines while students are remote.

That’s the reality for Kristy Spencer, an elementary building secretary with the Binghamton City School District. She and her staff are helping to provide testing to students and stuff.

What You Need To Know

  • School testing continued when the district was put in a yellow zone

  • Tests are brought to one school a week

  • Students and staff can sign up for a free test

“When this came about, I didn’t even hesitate. I wanted to be able to help people and I got the gig and I’ve been going for the last five months. I really enjoy it," said Spencer.

While schools in Broome County aren’t required to perform the testing, Binghamton has chosen to offer them to ensure their schools remain safe, and it comes at a time when students are returning to in-person learning after a month-long quarantine following holiday break.

For Spencer, it’s a harsh reality of the new normal.

“I was kind of in my own little world, like this is miner going to happen to us and then now I’m on the front lines, COVID testing every day and it’s just like, wow this is real," said Spencer.

The district hasn’t dealt with any major outbreaks since the testing began, but it’s providing that extra bit of assurance as students return. And as these staff members volunteer their time, many are calling them the true superheroes during this pandemic.

“It’s no small thing that they’re doing. They are on the front lines of this. They see everybody who thinks they might have COVID comes to them to find out whether they do or not and we give them a great deal of credit for what they’re doing,” said Eric Wilson, Binghamton City School District Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations.

So far, the students adjusted well to the ongoing changes, and staff are proud of them.

“The kids have adapted so well to all of this. I have a seven-year-old at home who reminds me to put my mask on. These kids come in, they take their mask down, and they’re ready to be tested. I’ve had a couple here or there but we talk them through it and they get through it,” said Spencer.

The district plans to continue the testing with students now in-person, so long as the state provides them.