Cell Phone Policy

In alignment with provincial regulations, the revised HPEDSB Code of Conduct indicates that, “All members of the school community must not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:

• for educational purposes, as directed by an educator

• for health and medical purposes

• to support special education needs”

At PECI, elementary students (JK-Gr. 8) will not be required to access their cell phones/ personal devices for learning purposes.  Phones/ personal devices will also not be permitted during nutritional break or recess periods.  In light of this, there is no need for them to be brought to school. Cell phones and personal devices should remain at home for students to access during their personal time.

Elementary students who are observed to have a cell phone/ personal device at school will be required to report to the office, hand in their phone to an administrator, to be stored in a safe place in the office until a parent or guardian can retrieve it.  

Secondary students will store cell phones/personal devices in their locker during instructional periods. Students in Gr. 9-12 will have the privilege to monitor their mobile devices during breaks and over the lunch period. When personal devices may be required to support the instructional program, teachers will notify students one day in advance that they may bring them to class that day.

In situations where secondary students opt not to leave their cell phone/device in their locker, they will be directed to return them to their locker or store them in a location within the classroom which is assigned by the teacher. Should they refuse, they will be directed to the office for follow up with administration.  

• First offence:  a warning will be issued, the device will be returned to the locker, and parents will be notified 

• Second offence:  phones will be kept in the office until a parent/guardian can retrieve them

• Repeated occurrence:  the student will forfeit the privilege of brining a device at school, and other Progressive Discipline processes may be implemented

In both panels, refusal to follow the policy outlined above (or any portion thereof), will result in a referral to administration.  In the management of any issues related to device use, the school will follow the Progressive Discipline process, which include a range of responses that may be supportive and/or disciplinary, including suspensions.

It is important to note that all students are responsible for their personal mobile device, how they use it and the consequences of not following the school board’s procedure on personal mobile device use. The school will not be responsible for lost or damaged devices.  

In both panels, exceptions will, of course, be made for any student who requires a device for health or medical purposes or to support specialized learning needs.  If students have medical reasons for requiring access to their device, parents/guardians should contact the office to ensure that a medical plan can be initiated for this. Students requiring a personal device to access learning will have this outlined in their Individual Education Plan.

Families who need to contact their child(ren) during the school day can do so by calling the main office, who can relay a message.