IGB-P2 Cell Phone and Digital Device Usage

PSSD Administrative Procedure for Cell Phone and Digital Device Usage

In August of 2024 the MB Provincial Government directed school divisions to establish a learning environment with fewer distractions while minimizing the potential negative impacts of cell phone use on student learning and safety.  The following procedure was developed.

Purpose/Scope

Personal  electronic  devices  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  mobile  hand-held  devices,  cell phones, smart watches, iPods and other music players, gaming devices, and headphones. This procedure is established to reduce distractions in class and to improve student engagement during instructional time. 

All students and staff must adhere to these guidelines during school hours and school-sponsored activities.

Student Guidelines Kindergarten to Grade 8 

The use of cell phones and personal digital devices are not allowed during school hours, including breaks and lunch.

Student Guidelines Grades 9 to 12

1. Cell  phones  must  be  turned  off  and  stored  in designated classroom phone storage areas during class time.  For the purposes of this procedure the Library is considered a classroom.

2. Other personal digital devices should be stored in lockers or backpacks. 

3. Cell phones and other digital devices will not be used in change rooms or washrooms at any time.

4. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.

5. Cell  phones  and  personal  digital  devices  are  permitted  on  school  buses,  provided students adhere to the basic guidelines for appropriate use of technology.

6. Students  are  permitted  to  use  devices  during  break  times  and  lunch. 

7. Devices  may  be  used  for  educational  purposes  when  explicitly  directed  by  classroom teachers.

8. Students working on Career Development, Credit For Employment or Apprenticeship credits should follow the direction at their workplace.

9. Students may bring personal electronic devices on School Outings and Field Trips during the school day. Digital devices shall be turned in to the teacher as directed. The Supervising teacher may allow the use of personal devices based on the educational purpose of the activity, the safety of participants and any rules or guidelines in place at the location.

Extracurricular Activities

• During extracurricular activities, the use of cell phones and personal digital devices is at the discretion of the supervisor.

• Students  must  follow  the  supervisor's  instructions  regarding  device  use  during  these activities.

• For overnight trips, devices are not permitted in hotel rooms after 10:00 PM.  The Teacher Supervisor will collect devices.

Exceptions

• Students   with   medical   needs   or   diverse   learning   requirements   may   be   granted  exceptions to these guidelines.

• Students  whose  needs  require  the  use  of  a  personal  digital  device  must  have  this information included in a Student Specific Plan.

• Parents and leadership will be notified if there are any issues that develop related to inappropriate cell phone use in school.

Response to Misuse

• Students  who  misuse  devices  according  to  this  protocol  will  be  subject  to  progressive consequences. 

• Staff  have  the  right  to  instruct  a  student  to  hand  in  the  device  to  the  office  and/or confiscate as delegated by the principal.

• Refusal by students to cooperate will result in a referral to administration and may result in an in-school suspension from class until the issue is resolved.

• Parents or caregivers may be required to collect the device from the office unless there are extenuating circumstances, which are determined by the principal or vice principal.

• Serious  or  repeated  misuse  will  be  treated  as  willful  or  persistent  disobedience. 

Next Steps may include:

• A meeting with parents and administration.

• Storing the phone in the office during class time for a specified number of days.

• A cell phone use contract.

• If  incidents  are  frequent  and  in  multiple  classes,  cell  phone  privileges  will  be reevaluated.  

• A Student Support meeting regarding addiction and support for addiction may occur.

Parent/Caregiver Responsibility

• For non-urgent  issues that require attention before the end of the school day, parents/caregivers are encouraged to call the school office.

• The school communicates via established protocols to caregivers should there be an emergency requiring evacuation or lock down.

• Parents/caregivers can expect to be contacted directly by school staff should their child be injured and/or require serious medical attention.

• Parents/caregivers should contact the office in case of an emergency. Your child will be immediately   and   confidentially   notified   of   the   need   to   communicate   with   a  parent/caregiver.

Staff Guidelines

• Staff are to be exemplars of this procedure.

• Staff will only use their personal device(s) for job related duties during their scheduled work time.

• Staff must be in compliance with Prairie Spirit School Divisions’ Staff Acceptable Use Procedure.

• Staff will participate in establishing shared  knowledge of this protocol with students and their parents/caregivers by reviewing and discussing with all students enrolled in their class and following up with parents as required.

• Staff will implement the protocol as outlined and monitor the classroom learning environment consistently to ensure a distraction free classroom learning environment.

• Staff will provide explicit instruction about the appropriate and acceptable use of cell phones in their learning context when applicable.

This  administrative  procedure  takes  effect  on  September  1,  2024,  in  accordance  with  the directive from the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning.