Norwood School Committee approves Norwood High School handbook updates including medical reentry and taunting policy

The Norwood School Committee on May 14 approved a set of updates to the Norwood High School (NHS) student handbook for 2025–26, including new language on medical reentry meetings, extended‑travel absences and a taunting policy in the athletic appendix.

Administrators said the changes are largely housekeeping and alignment to current practices and state guidance. Highlights include: • Attendance: references to ‘‘half‑year courses’’ were updated to the district’s 2.5‑credit terminology; required notification thresholds for consecutive absences were adjusted to reflect state law (noting a 10‑day threshold was cited in discussion); language was added to allow exit or reentry interviews and defined procedures for extended‑travel absences, including options such as short‑term home‑school plans for families traveling long periods. • Medical reentry meetings: added a requirement that students with medical absences longer than one week meet with a team (administrator, counselor, school nurse, social worker and IEP representatives as applicable) to plan supports and review documentation before reentry; district officials said the purpose is to ensure safe, supported transitions back to school. • Credit recovery: updated definitions and summer school policies to align with NHS course offerings and post‑COVID practice changes. • Cell phones and technology: clarified classroom storage expectations (a designated storage area per classroom) and updated the Responsible Use policy in line with districtwide changes. • Athletics: added a taunting policy consistent with MIAA guidance and NHS practices; staff said the change is to make expectations clearer for student athletes and spectators.

Administrators said some wording remains in draft form and staff will do a final quality‑control pass prior to publication; the committee asked to be notified of any minor typos identified in the PDF. The handbook vote passed unanimously, 5–0.

Committee members also discussed extending some handbook elements districtwide, including the medical reentry language, and indicated principals and student services staff will work to align procedures at the elementary and middle school levels.