School committee approves handbook that requires students to power off phones and use classroom 'cell‑phone boxes'

Associate Principal Miss Jensen presented a revised student and parent handbook and told the committee the document had been reviewed by the district’s lawyers to ensure nondiscrimination and legal compliance. She described several substantive changes and recommended committee approval.

Key changes highlighted by Miss Jensen include a clarified "perfect attendance" definition, adjusted arrival times for consistency, and a mandatory cell‑phone policy: "When students enter their classroom or their shop area, they must power off their cell phone and put it into the cell phone box," she said, adding the pilot program had reduced classroom distractions and helped model workplace expectations for co‑op placements.

Miss Jensen also noted updates to the food service policy, revised bullying prevention and intervention language (pages 52–63) to reflect current law and practice, and a new National Technical Honor Society section (pages 67–70), which adds a community service requirement for membership. She said the appendices were updated to incorporate new school committee policies developed over the year.

A motion to approve the handbook (moved by Miss True, seconded by Mr. Rossi) was called and passed by roll call. The committee did not record any substantive public opposition during the meeting. The superintendent and administrators said the changes aim to reduce in‑class distractions and align student expectations with workplace norms for co‑op placements.

The committee approved the handbook and directed administrators to circulate the updated handbook to families and staff.