Tidioute Community Charter School has approved a back-to-school plan.

The school is keeping many of the building-wide practices put in place over the past three COVID years, while dropping any mask requirements.

“Parents, students, staff, and visitors will not be required to wear a face covering in school at this time and in general for 2022-2023 at this time,” according to the health and safety plan approved by the board on Wednesday. “TCCS reserves the right to make masks mandatory for everyone if they are mandated by law, executive order or PDE, or the Pennsylvania Department of Health.”

“Face coverings will be required by all who visit the TCCS health suite,” according to the plan. “Students and staff may choose to wear a mask if they feel the need to do so. TCCS administration, teachers, and aides will support those who choose to mask.”

Enhanced cleaning practices will continue in the building and social distancing will be a consideration.

“TCCS will clean and sanitize all rooms daily, ensuring that high traffic areas are cleaned and sanitized using best practices,” CEO Doug Allen said. “TCCS will keep students safely distanced to the maximum extent possible.”

“TCCS will continue to employ a day cleaner and evening custodians to maintain health and safety and to mitigate the spread of illness,” he said. “TCCS has committed $500,000 to improving ventilation and replacing boilers in the school to improve the air quality and temperature controls for students and staff.”

With respect to vaccination, there is no requirement and the school is encouraging families to make the best decisions for them.

“The TCCS health office and administration plan to conduct vaccination clinics for students, staff, and families throughout the 2022-2023 school year,” according to the plan. “TCCS feels that administering the COVID-19 vaccination is a personal decision for each family to consider and will encourage each family to make a decision that is best for each student and their family.”

The plan does recognize a difference between those who are vaccinated and those who are not in its treatment of students who have close contact with a positive case.

Those who are not vaccinated will be denied entrance to school for five days. Those who are not symptomatic after that may return and will be advised to mask and distance as possible.

Those who are vaccinated and boosted or have had a positive COVID test previously within the past 90 days will not be denied entrance. Masks and distancing will be recommended for 10 days.