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The new school year is just around the corner. We would like to remind you that the Ontario Ministry of Education has made changes to our School Code of Conduct. This will affect all students in Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and throughout Ontario.
REQUIRED UPDATES TO THE PROVINCIAL CODE OF CONDUCT INCLUDE:
Reduced Distractions: New guidelines have been added to reduce distractions to learning by restricting cell phone usage during instructional time. This is to support students' focus on learning by keeping personal mobile devices “out of sight, out of mind.”
Report Card Changes: Report cards will include comments on students’ distraction levels in class.
Removal of Social Media: All social media websites will be removed from all school networks and devices to help strengthen in-person relationships, communication and social-emotional skills. Student access to these sites will be removed through our network system.
Anti-Vaping: The Code now includes strict anti-vaping rules in schools where families will be informed, and the electronic cigarettes (vapes) in a student's possession will be given up and disposed of. Public Health will be engaged to support education, prevention and enforcement, when necessary. Vape detectors will also be installed to support the enforcement of these rules.
You will learn more about these changes from your teachers and administrators, but here is a brief overview of the changes that are in effect for starting this school year:
Tobacco/Nicotine Products/Electronic Cigarettes (Vaping):
- Students are not allowed to use, be in possession of, or provide to anyone else, any tobacco/nicotine products or any form of electronic cigarettes (vapes).
- Surrendering Items: If students are found to be using, possessing or providing tobacco/nicotine products or any form of electronic cigarettes they will be required to give the item(s) to the Principal/Vice-Principal. These items will not be returned to students and will be disposed of.
- School Based Consequences: In the management of any issues with the above, schools will continue to follow Progressive Discipline, which include a range of responses that may be supportive and/or disciplinary, including suspensions.
Personal Mobile Devices (cell phones, smart watches, tablets etc)
“Out of sight - out of mind” to support engagement in learning
All members of the school community must not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
- for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
- for health and medical purposes
- to support special education needs
For students in grade 7-12 all personal mobile devices are stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time, except when their use is explicitly permitted for the following circumstances:
- for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
- for health and medical purposes
- to support special education needs
If an educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view, they will:
- Require the device be handed in for the instructional period and the device must be placed, by the student, in a storage area in a location in the classroom designated by the educator;
- Refusal to do the above: referral to administration
- School Based Consequences: In the management of any issues with the above, schools will continue to follow Progressive Discipline, which include a range of responses that may be supportive and/or disciplinary, including suspensions.
All students are responsible for their personal mobile device, how they use it and the consequences of not following the school board’s procedure on personal mobile device use. Schools will not be responsible for lost or damaged devices.
How can you support these changes?
We are advising students and families to keep their personal mobile devices at home. All students are responsible for their personal mobile device, how they use it and the consequences of not following the Code of Conduct on personal mobile device use.
Communicating During the School Day: Families will contact the school office if they need to communicate with their child during the day.
As we head back to school, take time to think about how these new changes will positively impact the learning environment. These changes will help restore academic focus, safety and personal responsibility in our schools. We encourage all families to have conversations about the importance of respecting school staff and the rules.
We look forward to a successful school year.
Code of Conduct updates