Cellphone use restrictions are now in place in the Qualicum School District, in keeping with recent legislation by the B.C. Ministry of Education.
All school level codes of conduct include guidance on use of cellphones, according to Superintendent of Schools Peter Jory, and the level of detail included is up to individual schools.
“It needs to be an authentic collaboration or consultation process at the school level," Jory said during the Board of Education's Sept. 24 meeting.
Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville has a "No Cell After the Bell" rule, which was prompted by "concerns related to depression, disengagement (educational and social), empty affirmations, and the very real circumstance of cyberbullying", according to the school's code of conduct.
BSS classrooms will be designated as cellphone free zones during instructional time, but will be allowed before and after school, at lunch time and during transition between classes. Cellphones can also be used under teacher supervision and for specific learning and health needs.
The first time a BSS student is asked to put a cellphone away, staff will record the incident. A second time will result in the student's parent being contacted. Third instances will mean a trip to the office and school administration will work with the student and family.
Fourth occurrences trigger a meeting between student, parents and BSS administration to develop a "personal electronics plan".
In a Sept. 3 statement, Minister of Education and Child Care Rachna Singh said the new policy will make sure students have fewer classroom distractions.
"While technology plays an important part in our lives, we all know that digital literacy and developing healthy habits with technology play a vital role to keeping our kids healthy and safe," Singh said in her statement.
The policy is also meant to foster online safety, according to the province.
Premier David Eby announced a "bell-to-bell" ban of cellphones in August. School boards were instructed to ensure codes of conduct include one or more statements about restricting the use of personal digital devices at school.
