CELL PHONE POLICY FOR SOUTHERN KINGS CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL - 2024-2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of our ongoing efforts to create the best learning environment for all students, I would like to share with you our updated school cell phone policy that aligns with the Provincial directive regarding the use of cell phones in schools.
Grade K-6
Students are not permitted to bring cell phones to school. If a student does, it must be turned off and kept in their school bag for the entire day.
Grade 7-8
Students may bring cell phones to school; however, phones must remain in their bags and turned off during school hours. The only time a cell phone may be used is if the teacher allows for a learning outcome or a grade 8 student leaves school grounds for lunch. Cell phones are not permitted to be used during lunch or break as we are promoting face to face social interactions.
Rationale for the Policy:
- Minimizing Distractions: Cell phones are a significant distraction during the school day. By limiting their presence, we can create a more focused environment for studies and school activities.
- Promoting Social Interaction (Face to Face): Limiting cell phone use helps foster a more engaging environment where students can build strong relationships with their peers. All too often we use technology to express feelings and emotions which can lead to misinterpretations and sometimes conflict.
- Ensuring Safety and Security: Issues like cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content has no place in our schools. By limiting cell phone use, we can better protect our students from these risks during school hours.
- Limiting screen time: For younger students, research proves that setting boundaries around the amount of time on screen will help develop healthy habits. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends no more than 2 hours of screen time for students in our age group at SKC.
Policy enforcement
- Students will be told to put cell phone away and reminded of the policy
- If the student is asked a second time, the phone will be locked in the main office until the end of the day or the teacher will hold onto it using a cell phone holder in their class.
- If a student continues to be reminded of the policy, parent/guardian will be notified and may be asked to pick up the phone and keep at home.
This will be a change for students and staff will educate our students on the rationale behind this policy. If you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to reach me at the school.
Thanks,
Jimmy Morris
Principal
Southern Kings Consolidated