Health and safety plans will continue in local school districts when the doors open again in the fall, but district leaders said the documents will look quite different from 2020-21.

Lehighton Area School District Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said the district is hoping to vote on its updated plan in July.

“A lot of that will be changing,” Cleaver said. “At this point, we are looking at making masks optional. The only way that would change is if for some reason the guidelines would change. We follow the CDC guidelines. When you look at last year compared to the upcoming year, restrictions will be greatly reduced.”

The federal government requires health and safety plans because districts are receiving Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The plan must address how the district will maintain the health and safety of students, educators and staff and also provide guidelines for all instructional and noninstructional school activities.

During Lehighton’s board meeting Monday night, a parent asked how the district would treat vaccination requirements for students.

“We are absolutely not getting involved in that,” Cleaver said during the meeting. “The only way that would happen is if the state or federal government would step in with a requirement for that.”

Lunch periods will also look more like 2019.

“We’ll have the students back in the cafeteria,” Cleaver said. “Two other things that signal a return to normal will be visitors back in the building and a return to field trips.”

The document is likely to look the same for most of the districts around the state.

Palmerton Area School District also plans to vote on its updated plan.

“It will be a much smaller version than the current plan,” Superintendent Dr. Jodi Frankelli said last month. “A lot has changed in the state, and this will reflect that.”

The full updated health and safety plans for districts around the area will be available this month. Cleaver said the documents are due to be approved by the end of July. Districts that don’t have a July board meeting are allowed to push it to August, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In Catholic schools, the Diocese of Allentown sent out a letter outlining its plan for the upcoming school year.

Dr. Brooke Cortese Tesché, chancellor for Catholic Education and Dr. Philip J. Fromuth, superintendent of Catholic Education, said that the diocese plans to return to a full, five day, in-person instruction in all Catholic schools.

“Students and staff will not be required to wear face coverings while at school. Students and staff who choose to continue to wear face coverings as a mitigation measure against COVID-19 will be allowed to do so. Please note that we cannot control what government entities may require of our students who ride public school buses, receive support services or participate in athletic activities involving other schools.

“Virtual education for the 2021-22 school year will be offered only in specific COVID-19 related situations such as quarantine or situations involving a long-term serious medical situation,” the letter continues. “Schools will again be able to use a limited number of Flexible Instruction Days for weather related or emergency related school closures.

“We remain aware that we are still in a global pandemic and the future may bring changes. However, our plans are to continue on the road to return to normal in our schools. For the safety of our students and staff, if changes and mitigation measures need to be added or amended in the future, we will review available guidance and communicate any updates or policy changes impacting our schools and families.”