Under the direction of Ontario’s Ministry of Education, the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) and St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) will implement changes regarding reduced access to personal mobile devices and social networks as outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum 128 (PPM 128): The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct for the 2024/2025 school year.
LKDSB and SCCDSB, along with all publicly funded school boards across the province, will implement these requirements starting September 1, 2024, to limit classroom distractions and foster a culture of uninterrupted learning.
PPM 128, released by the Ontario Ministry of Education on April 28, 2024, specifies School Board Policy on Enforcement of Restrictions to Student Personal Mobile Use. The memorandum states:
Personal mobile devices are not to be used during instructional time except in the following circumstances:
– For educational purposes as directed by an educator
– For health or medical purposes
– To support special education needs
Cell phones, cameras, and other digital imaging and/or audio recording devices are NOT permitted to be used in change rooms or washrooms at any time.
Students in Grades 8 and below may not use cell phones or other mobile devices at school during the school day without an educator’s permission, except in the instances cited above.
Students in Grades 9 and above may not use cell phones or other mobile devices during class time without explicit permission from an educator, except in the instances cited above.
“We know that student learning improves when students are not distracted from their lessons,” says LKDSB Director John Howitt, in a media release.
“Breakfast and snack programs help remove the distraction of hunger, just as limiting access to cell phones and mobile devices helps remove the distractions they cause.”
In all instances, students’ personal mobile devices must be turned off or set to silent mode and stored out of view. If an educator sees a mobile device that is not stored out of view, they must discuss it with the student and/or ask for it to be handed in for the class (Grades 9-12) or for the day (Grades K-8). The student must place the device in a storage area designated by the educator or principal.
“Using a cell phone during instructional time or other restricted periods in school is a teachable moment,” stated SCCDSB Director of Education Scott Johnson, in a media release.
“By addressing these moments, we show students that their engagement matters. It’s about developing an understanding and demonstrating that their educators genuinely care about their presence and participation in the classroom.”
Implementation strategies may vary depending on the school and classroom communities and can include:
– Designating a space for cell phones and other personal mobile devices in classrooms and/or offices so that they are set to silent or powered off and out of view.
– Using lockers, classroom spaces such as a hanging numbered rack, lock box, or safe, or any combination of these strategies.
As the safety and wellbeing of our students remain paramount, parents/guardians are invited to contact the school office to communicate any urgent or unexpected issues with their children. Before the start of the school year, principals will communicate clear, school-specific expectations of responsibilities for students, educators, and families to the school community.
School boards are also required to restrict access to all social media platforms on school networks and devices. Social media platforms can only be used by students at school for educational purposes, as directed by an educator. School boards can determine exception protocols for the use of social media for pedagogical or work-related purposes.
