By Lyonel Doherty
Come September, students in the Rocky Mountain district will find new restrictions on their use of cell phones in schools.
On April 9 the board of trustees reviewed first reading of its refined code of conduct for students, which includes cell phone restrictions as part of the Ministry of Education’s mandate to limit the use of digital devices in all BC schools.
Along with rules relating to alcohol and drugs, and disruptive behaviour, the code will highlight digital devices and communication as well.
Steve Wyer, acting superintendent of schools, told the Pioneer they are starting the consultation process to determine what the policy will look like.
“The use of personal digital devices in schools will be restricted from interrupting learning,” he said, noting it is important for students to learn responsible and balanced ways to use these devices.
Wyer said individual schools will review their codes of conduct to include specific information on how digital devices, including cell phones, are restricted to “promote sustained and uninterrupted periods of classroom learning.”
The assistant superintendent noted these restrictions will look different depending on the school. For example, in a K-3 setting, schools will have very different types of restrictions than an 8-12 setting.
Wyer acknowledged that not many students in the younger grades have cell phones, adding that schools provide most of the digital devices that pupils need for learning.
“That’s why there should be some flexibility for the type of school to have slightly different rules and practices.”
Under the refined code of conduct, it states that students will be responsible for storing and securing their digital devices if they choose to bring them to school.
Wyer said the conversations in school communities will seek to maintain all the ways digital devices support learning, inclusion, and student engagement, while also ensuring these same devices do not distract from learning.
“Ultimately, the district strives to raise responsible digital citizens through teaching about the responsible use of personal technology,” he said.
DTSS student Keira Neal generally supports the school district’s move to restrict cell phone use among students but points out that the digital devices are useful for in-class projects and assignments.
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Keira Neal, a student at David Thompson Secondary School, has mixed feelings about the new restrictions.
“I do agree that teens are spending too much time on their phones, especially during school and class time, but they are definitely a useful tool as well.”
Neal said going to the library signing out books to search for answers while working on a project during class takes a lot of time as opposed to pulling out your phone and surfing the web for quick answers.
“Math, biology, and socials are three subjects that I find having my phone on me has been helpful,” she pointed out. “During my spare time I will watch quick Youtube videos on whatever lesson we have done to help me better understand.”
Neal said lots of visual learners do this as a study strategy. But she stated that if students get used to not having phones at school she hopes it will help them be less addicted in general.
Local parent Christine DuBois told the Pioneer she fully supports the new restrictions.
She personally has no problem with students using their cell phones to check messages during their breaks or lunch hour.
“My belief is that if somebody is standing in front of you, you put away your cell phone and you talk to a real life human being. Our kids are missing out on essential social skills because their head is buried in a device half the time.”
DuBois said children need to be learning in school, adding that cell phones are not only disruptive but also cause big problems socially for students.
She noted a perfect example is a classroom discussion or a group project where some students have their heads buried in their phones and not participating. Or they will be doing all of their research on their phone as opposed to discussing ideas with their peers.
“How are our children going to learn to be good leaders and good presenters and good communicators when they spend that much time in front of a device? I am shocked the number of times I see a group of kids walking together and all of them have their heads down on their phones.”
DuBois commended teachers who take their students’ phones and put them in a basket at the start of class. She reiterated that if parents need to contact their child they can call the office.
