School committee gives handbooks first read; phones, recess and bike rules among proposed changes

The Pembroke School Committee completed first readings of revised student handbooks for the elementary schools, middle school, high school and athletic programs and approved each for second reading after committee members discussed changes that include limits on cell-phone use, rules for bikes and scooters, clarifications on recess and updated guidance for attendance and medical notes.

Committee members approved each handbook for a second read and adoption at a future meeting after administrators presented red-lined changes and fielded questions from committee members and principals.

Why it matters: The revisions aim to unify language across the district, clarify expectations for students and families and reduce ambiguity in disciplinary and safety procedures. Committee members focused discussion on a handful of provisions that drew concern from parents and staff.

Key changes and debate

- Cell-phone and connected-device rules: Handbooks adopt language limiting phone and watch use during the school day, on buses and on school-sponsored trips and clubs. Administrators said the policy is intended to reduce in-school distractions and limit dissemination of videos or images taken on school property or buses. The policy will permit necessary parent contact through school offices; principals said enforcement will be emphasized at the start of the year.

- Recess and discipline: Proposed elementary-handbook language clarifies that recess should be used as a last resort for discipline and includes restorative-practice options. One committee member said, "I don't think recess should ever be taken away for any reason," and several principals urged precise language that ties any loss of recess to incidents occurring at recess rather than to unrelated classroom issues. Administrators said common practice at the elementary level is progressive: staff contact parents and use restorative work before permanent removal of recess is considered.

- Bikes and scooters: Elementary handbook language would allow nonmotorized bikes and scooters with safety expectations (helmets required) and permit principals to revoke the privilege for safety or disciplinary reasons. The committee discussed liability and supervision concerns when students arrive on campus early or ride unsafely on nearby roads.

- Attendance and medical notes: The high school handbook clarifies that medical notes are required for excused absences and that the attendance clerk or school nurse can accept secure electronic transmission from a health-care provider; principals noted that a paper record is kept and that families with barriers to printing should contact the nurse to make alternate arrangements.

- World-language and graduation clarifications: The high school handbook text was edited to clarify that the two-year world-language graduation requirement equals eight credits; administrators noted AP courses and program-of-studies language also fulfill graduation requirements where appropriate.

- Athletic handbook updates: The athletic handbook includes updated rules on participation and safety, clarifies forfeiture rules and updates program fees for the coming year; the committee discussed adding contact information for athletic staff and financial assistance language.

Votes and next steps: Each handbook received a motion for first read and was approved unanimously among committee members present. Administrators said red-line edits and requested clarifications (for example, adding nurse contact information, refining recess language and specifying whether indoor recess is invoked when conditions reach a weather "red" threshold) will be addressed before the July second reads.

The committee set a July meeting to consider the second reads, and administrators said they will consult other districts and the policy subcommittee to refine language on recess, phone use and bike/scooter privileges.

Ending: Committee members asked administrators to bring back clarified language and cross-district examples for the second read; the committee also scheduled bargaining and budget updates for upcoming meetings.