The first of three revised student handbooks was approved at a Mattapoisett School Committee meeting on Aug. 30, after principals of the Tri-Town elementary schools gathered to update each of their handbooks to become nearly identical.

“We thought it should be consistent,” Mattapoisett Assistant Principal Kevin Tavares said. “If you picked up a RMS or a Sippican handbook … you would notice that they are the same.”

Tavares said Mattapoisett hasn’t done much revising of its handbook in 10 years. This year, it’s streamlined to leave out many district-encompassing policies already available on the Old Rochester website.

Now, Tavares said the handbook is a “better representation of what families need to know when they have a student,” from bussing and bullying rules, to discipline and internet usage.

School Committee member Carly Lavin wondered whether inclusive language, such as gender-neutral pronouns, was added to the handbook. Tavares said it hadn’t but that the school could look into adding such language.

Committee members followed up, wondering if the handbook would hold through covid guidance changes.

Member Tiffini Reedy wondered how masking rules, detailed in the handbook, would change if a vaccine was approved for those under 12. Per state regulation, students under 12 would then ostensibly be allowed to take off their masks in school starting Oct. 2, provided the school meets an 80% vaccination threshold.

“It’s written in a way that’s flexible for that reason,” Superintendent Michael Nelson said. “I believe the way we’ve positioned ourselves allows us to be flexible.”

The school committee approved the handbook, under the condition it is reviewed by administration for covid flexibility and inclusive language.