Boston Public Schools Rulemaking Committee

Student Guidebook Project — Group worksheet

Write your group’s ideas on this page. The slides are the lesson. Your writing goes here.

Group members (up to 5) — one sheet per group

Write each person’s name on the line. Then fill in the modal chart below together.

Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5

Before your group writes

Modals: what they mean and how strong

% on the line Modal word What it means
0% (start) Very strong “__________” (serious / danger)
25% Often in class: __________ — not allowed
45% Often in class: __________ — you don’t need to
55% Often in class: __________ — it is OK / allowed
85% Often in class: __________ — the school or law says so
100% (end) Very strong "__________” (you feel it is necessary)

Example — ice cream in school (how to fill out your page)

This is a model from class. Each topic below is the same: good points and bad points, then your rule, then why you used words like must or can.

Pros (ideas for allowing) Cons (worries or problems)

It can make students happy and give them energy.

It can be a reward for good behavior.

It can be a fun treat during long school days.

It can be messy and break things at school.

It is not a healthy snack for every day.

It can make desks and floors sticky.

Our rule (write a full sentence) — example

Students can eat ice cream in the cafeteria during lunch, but they must not eat it in the classroom.

Why we used this word / these words — example

We used can because ice cream is OK sometimes as a treat. We used must not in the classroom because it is too messy by books and computers.

Topic 1: Cell phones in school — Member 1

Think about: Phones in class — bad for focus or good for learning? What about hallways and lunch? Good points and bad points?

Pros (of allowing / using phones) Cons (worries or problems)

Our rule (write a full sentence)

Why we used this word / these words (for example must, can)

Topic 2: Using AI on assignments — Member 2

Think about: Does AI help learning or hurt it? When is it OK to use? Did the student really do the work alone? Will students need AI for work later?

Pros (of allowing AI in some way) Cons (risks or problems)

Our rule (write a full sentence)

Why we used this word / these words (for example must, can)

Topic 3: Dress code and uniforms — Member 3

Think about: Do uniforms help the group feel together, or stop students from showing their own style? Money for families? Life at school?

Pros (of a dress code or uniform) Cons (worries or problems)

Our rule (write a full sentence)

Why we used this word / these words (for example must, can)

Topic 4: Late and absent — Member 4

Think about: How does being late change learning? What is a fair result if you are late or absent? Special reasons (for example, sick)? How to get more students to come to school?

Pros (of clearer or stronger rules) Cons (worries or problems)

Our rule (write a full sentence)

Why we used this word / these words (for example must, can)

Topic 5: Security cameras — Member 5

Think about: Do cameras make school safer? Do we lose privacy? Do people still trust each other? Is it a good use of school money?

Pros (of more cameras) Cons (worries or problems)

Our rule (write a full sentence)

Why we used this word / these words (for example must, can)