Cell Phone Practices at AWEC

AWEC CELL PHONE PRACTICES

Rationale

• Evidence shows that excessive cell phone usage is harmful to children, including detrimental effects on learning, mental health and social development 

• We are seeing increasing incidents of unacceptable behaviour related to cell phones

• Teachers are reporting increased levels of disengagement and are struggling to get students to put phones away during learning time. 

Middle Level Practices

• We are asking for your support in making AWEC a cell phone free space for middle level students

• Students are not permitted to bring a cell phone, tablet, wireless earbuds or other mobile device to school

• If a student is found to have a device at school, it will be brought to the office and stored securely until a parent or guardian can pick it up. Repeated incidents will result in consequences which can include suspension. 

High School Practices

• We recognize that high school students are better able to exercise judgment on when and how to use mobile devices

• High school students are not permitted to use cell phones during class time. High school students will be permitted use of their phones at recess and lunch periods. Cell phone hotels will be provided in every classroom and students will be required to store their phones in the cell phone hotel during class time. Phones can only be visible during recess or lunch. 

• If a student uses a cell phone during class time, they will be asked to put it in the hotel. If they refuse, it will be confiscated and stored securely in the office until the end of the day.

• Students will continue to have school-issued Chromebooks for use during class time

How Do I Contact my Child?

• If you need to get in touch with your child for any reason during the school day, you may call the office and we will immediately respond. 

• If you need to speak to your child, the student will be called to the office and a private area to chat with you will be provided.

•  Any messages that need to be shared will be delivered to your child immediately. 

Exceptions

• There are certain circumstances where a child may need to use a cell phone at school, such as students who use phones to manage medical conditions.

• If this applies to your child, we ask that you contact the office to discuss

Before/After School

• Parents may wish to have their child have access to a cell phone for safety reasons before and after school. 

• If this situation applies to your child, contact the office to make arrangements for your child to bring a cell phone to school. Upon arrival, the cell phone will be securely stored at the office and given to the child at the end of the school day

Sports and Clubs

• Taking photos and video of sporting events after school is permitted if allowed by coaches

• If your student is attending a sports event after school and will be using a cell phone during the event, students will bring their phone to the office at the beginning of the school day and it will be stored securely until the sporting event begins. 

Dances 

• The cell phone policy applies to dances. Phones will not be permitted at AWEC during middle level dances. Opportunities will be provided to take photos at the beginning of the event, and following this, cell phones will be stored securely in the office until the dance is over.