By Staff
September 3rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The new cell phone policy that students will face when the return to class on Wednesday.
It is not expected to go easily.
Will scenes like this be part of the classrooms across the province on Wednesday?
Kids in kindergarten to Grade 6 can’t use their phones during the day, including lunch and recess; those in grades 7 to 12 can’t use them in class. Devices must be off and out of view. If not, kids will have to place them in a storage area. If they refuse they’ll be sent to the principal, who will consider a range of responses, including suspension. Students will be responsible for their devices and any consequences from breaking the rules.
But teachers, at the forefront of enforcing this policy, have raised concerns about what happens when a child doesn’t comply, or a confiscated device is lost, stolen or damaged.
Minister of Education Jill Dunlop
At her first press conference as education minister, Jill Dunlop recognized that “enforcement is going to be a big issue” for educators, but said the government has their backs.
Teacher are now going to enforce tough new provincial changes limiting cellphone use in schools, an issue Minister Dunlop knows well.
“I’ve been an educator in the past — although it was in a college, I do have a sense of that time in the classroom with students, and it leads to the work that we’re doing on distractions in the classroom.”
Today is a Professional Development day for teachers who are preparing for students on Wednesday. Many expect it to be a difficult first week.
They should make it mandatory for students to walk 5 miles uphill both ways like we did. You do t hear us complaining Haha
What happened to children do as they are told?
I would expect that parents would support the rules of the school.
Cell phones can be left in the locker.
“Blow back from students”? Are the inmates running the asylum?