To make the tutoring sessions most efficient, students are responsible for bringing in their own laptops and chargers if a laptop is needed for their tutoring session. This is especially important for our schoolwork support and study skills students who should also be bringing in any agendas / planners / school materials so that the tutor can help students plan from those. Exceptions to this guideline may be made on a case by case basis, such as if the student is enrolled in TC Fundamentals. If your student needs to borrow a laptop, please call us to see if we have one available to lend them during their session. While we have free Wi-Fi for all students, we have a limited number of Chromebooks.

At the beginning of each session, our tutors will ask all the students at their table for their phones, so that they are not distracted by them during their tutoring session. If a student needs to use their phone (to coordinate pick up, use it quickly for something school related, etc.), they may ask their tutor if they may use their phone. Once they are done, they will return the phone to their tutor until the end of the tutoring session. If the tutor receives push back from the student and mobile phones become a problem, the student will be asked to leave their device in the director’s office for the duration of their sessions and at the beginning of future sessions.

UPDATED HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
We are deeply grateful for the patience and support shown by our families throughout the past several years. As we transitioned to a more familiar and flexible environment, we remain committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all students and staff.
 

HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES
While the most stringent protocols are no longer necessary, many of our updated health and safety practices have proven effective in keeping our center a healthier place overall. For example, we continue to:

• Follow current health guidelines from state and federal authorities, adapting our approach as necessary.
  
  
• Encourage healthy habits such as regular hand washing, covering sneezes, and respecting others' comfort with personal space and masking preferences.
   
• Ask students to stay home if they’re feeling unwell, especially with symptoms of illness, to help keep our staff and other students healthy.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and positive environment by honoring these common-sense practices.

USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) AND CLEANING PROTOCOLS

• Face Masks: Masks are optional but welcome. We encourage families to follow their own comfort levels regarding face coverings. Please see the Student Illness Guide for exceptions to this rule. While masks are no longer required, they are still recommended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the flu, or other infectious diseases. We want our staff to stay healthy!
   
• Sneeze Guards: For regular tutoring sessions, optional plexiglass sneeze guards are available and may be used between the tutor and each student at the discretion of the tutor.
   
• Sanitization: Common areas such as tables, chairs, water fountains, and door handles will be cleaned regularly, with added attention between tutoring sessions.
   
• Air Quality: Our IQ Air purification system, installed based on expert recommendations to help stop the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, remains in place to help maintain fresh and clean air in our center.

IN-CENTER PROTOCOLS

• Arrival and Pickup: To limit congestion, we request timely drop-off and pickup. Students will continue to wait in their cars until just before their session begins.
   
• Waiting Area: During tutoring sessions, only students, staff, and visitors with scheduled meetings will be permitted to enter TCM. Our waiting area remains closed to reduce the number of extra people in the center.
   
• Hand Sanitizing: All students and employees will be required to wash their hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer upon entering TCM.
   
• Restrooms: To minimize contact of surfaces, students are encouraged to use the restroom at home prior to arriving to TCM. Our restroom will, of course, be open for those who need to use it.
   
• Food and Beverages: Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle, clearly marked with their name. While our water fountain and bottle filler are now open, bringing their own water can help ensure a quick, easy drink during sessions to maximize their tutoring hour. (We know a 'quick' walk to the water fountain can sometimes lead to a bit of extra break time! 😊) Please note that FOOD OR OTHER DRINKS ARE STILL NOT PERMITTED IN THE CENTER. 

ADAPTATIONS IN TUTORING FORMAT
While many tutoring practices have returned to familiar formats, we’re continuing some adjustments to ensure a cleaner environment:
 

• Personalized Materials: Whenever needed, we provide fresh, printed materials for students who benefit from working off paper, particularly for our youngest learners.
   
• Tokens and Rewards: Physical tokens may be replaced with tally marks to minimize direct contact. Rest assured that high-fives and fist bumps still live on!!
   
• Use of Equipment and Supplies: Students should bring their own materials, such as pencils, calculators, fidget toys, and, if applicable, their laptops and chargers. We have a limited number of devices available upon request, which will be sanitized before and after each use.
   
• Teaching Tools: Manipulatives and other hands-on teaching tools and games are sanitized before and after each use.

Thank you for helping us foster a positive and healthy space for everyone at TCM. For any updates, please make sure you’re subscribed to our TCM emails to stay informed.