Nantucket schools adopt 'off and away' Yonder pouch rollout; handbooks updated across schools

Administrators told the School Committee Sept. 2 that the district will roll out a Yonder pouch system for students at middle and high schools to implement the new "off and away" cell-phone policy. "In this case, they're off and away in a pouch that includes the, Apple watches," Adrienne Lombardi, CPS principal, said, describing the pouch as the tool the school will use to keep devices stored during the school day. Lombardi said the district will provide an update on the Yonder system after a few weeks of classroom use. School handbooks across levels were updated and presented at the meeting. Changes include updated administrative titles; clarified volunteer procedures; new language aligned with state guidance on civil-rights content in curriculum; ebike rules requiring registration and a safety course for pedal-assist ebikes; and explicit consequences for smartwatches that are not set to school mode. The handbooks also add the Yonder pouch language at the middle and high school levels and adjust tardy procedures at the high school. Assistant principals who presented handbooks said the district's AI guidance is available on the district website as guidelines rather than a school-committee policy, and that the district has purchased school AI tools to teach responsible use while monitoring developments. Parents wishing to opt out of specific curriculum content are directed to contact a district point of contact (Becky Janda) for a conversation and, if necessary, alternative activities. Administrators said the opt-out process is typically handled case-by-case and that curriculum questions often lead to discussions before an opt-out is confirmed. Committee members asked how the Yonder pouches will affect food deliveries and student ability to contact parents. School leaders said students will use school phones or the front office if they need to contact a parent; they said the pouch system is expected to reduce in-school food deliveries and unauthorized orders but staff will monitor the impact. The handbook changes will be brought forward for committee votes at a future meeting where required.