School District 54 trustees have now formally adopted a new provincial education ministry policy restricting student cellphone use during school hours.
The province ordered the restrictions earlier this year and School District 54 followed suit by putting out the new policy for public comment.
The comment period ended Sept. 4 with no one making a submission. Board adoption followed when trustees met Sept. 24.
The new policy expands on a previous one to help safeguard students from abuse, threats and bad behaviour.
No elementary student will be allowed to use an internet-connected device during the school day. Secondary school students will be banned from using them during instructional time but can use them during other portions of the school day.
Secondary school teachers, however, may permit the use of such devices when part of a curriculum during instructional planning.
The restriction moves beyond smartphones or cellphones to include tablets/laptops/smart watches, any and all devices that provide access to networks, wireless systems or cell coverage, said school district secretary treasurer Dave Margerm when the draft policy was distributed for comment.
“[That would be] devices that would distract or interrupt student learning including devices that could have a negative impact on learning or student mental health,” he added.
Schools will enact their own codes of conduct aligned with a new policy adopted by the board and also create their specific rules and routines and consequences.
This new policy will replace the old one which is 12 years old which. In broad terms, it outlined acceptable use of technology by both students and employees.
“Any communications, publications and posting of information on any district network or the World Wide Web shall be consistent with the highest ethical and legal standards,” it reads.
Although the provincial mandate restricting access applies only to public schools, the education ministry is encouraging private schools to follow suit.
“The ministry has shared a support guide with the independent school sector and encourages school authorities to put a policy in place that addresses cell phone use by students in schools,” indicates the ministry.
As it is, the Houston Christian School’s code of conduct for its students prohibits Kindergarten to Grade 6 students from bringing electronic devices to school unless there is an agreement between parents and the school.
More leeway is granted Grade 7 to Grade 12 students in that they can use devices during breaks.
But they can be confiscated for the duration of the school day if misused or used inappropriately.
Teachers determine what kind of device access there will be in their classrooms.
Devices are not allowed in change rooms.
Bulkley Valley Christian School students may use cell phones at school prior to the first bell which is at 8:45 a.m., after the last bell which is at 3 p.m. (2 p.m. on Thursdays), curing the first 15 minutes of the lunch period and all of recess and lunch on Thursdays.
