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Trustees approve elementary handbook changes, including new kindergarten toileting expectation
Summary
The board approved multiple elementary handbook edits: tightened cell-phone rules, added AI and grievance language, restated McKinney-Vento protections for homeless students, clarified notification timing for fifth-grade human sexuality lessons, and added a policy expecting kindergarten students to be toilet trained (with documented exceptions).
Whitehall trustees approved a set of elementary handbook revisions that update board-policy references and add new rules on technology, student supports and student conduct.
The district added a 'portrait of a graduate' statement to the elementary handbook, clarified attendance reporting procedures for parents, and tightened cell-phone rules so students may carry a phone only when expressly required in an IEP, 504 plan, a health plan or under applicable law.
The code of conduct now explicitly prohibits unauthorized use of artificial intelligence for academic dishonesty. The handbook also directs families to step-by-step grievance procedures posted on the district website.
On curriculum notification, the handbook requires parents be informed no fewer than five and no more than 15 school days before fifth-grade human sexuality lessons to permit opting out, as stated by the presenter.
The presenter added a section stating the district will provide educational services to homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Act (transcript referenced this statute as "McKenna Vento").
A significant policy change requires students enrolling in the district's early literacy kindergarten program to be toilet trained and able to manage toileting independently; the presenter noted exceptions must be documented in an IEP, a 504 plan or a health plan and said the district will handle occasional accidents with dignity and by contacting guardians for clothing changes.
A trustee moved to approve the proposed changes, the motion was seconded, and the board approved the elementary handbook revisions by voice vote.
