Students and staff with SD5 will be navigating a newly implemented cellphone ban as classes get underway for the fall semester.
Earlier this year, the provincial government mandated the restricting the use of cellphones in the classroom by requiring each school district to enact their own policies.
Jason Tichauer, the Safe Schools Coordinator for SD5, says the district developed policies that enable cellphone use in the classroom for instructional and medical use only, at the discretion of the a teacher.
"Really, what it is, is it's completely controlled usage during instructional time," said Tichauer. "So there are times when kids will need to use digital devices in classes for instructional needs. There are some kids who need to access cellphones for medical supports; there's lots of testing and electronic testing that is done over cellphones now for medical needs.
"There are some kids that need their cellphones for learning assistance, for example, a speech-to-text program."
However, the policy also strikes a balance for courses that might have a digital literacy component.
In all cases, classroom instructors — particularly for older Grade cohorts — will have discretion on if and how students can use their devices.
"These are modern times. If there's a bunch of work done on vertical whiteboard, a big math problem done on the whiteboard, is there a need for kids to take a picture of it for notes? Absolutely, but that would be under the control of the classroom teacher and there will be no unfettered cellphone usage," Tichauer added.
Last January, the B.C. government announced its intent to regulate cellphone use in the classrooms, requiring each school district to develop and implement their own policies.
Restricting cellphone use was part of a larger suite of actions that also include protecting children from online predators and extortion; protecting students and staff from harassing protesters through the implementation of access zones around schools and creating and expanding school food programs through a $214-million investment.
“Every child in British Columbia should feel safe, supported and engaged when they head back to school next week,” said Premier David Eby. “Our government is ensuring students can reach their full potential by restricting cellphones in classrooms, keeping harassing protestors away from school grounds, and making sure kids are fed and ready to learn.”
