Durham Catholic District School Board is revising our Code of Conduct and related administrative procedures to reflect new guidelines from the Ministry of Education about cell phone/personal mobile device use in schools as per PPM 128: The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Boards Codes of Conduct.
The new provincial policy states that 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; and/or
- To support special education needs.
DCDSB has created a new administrative procedure, Personal Mobile Device Use in School (AP610-3), to establish clear guidelines regarding personal mobile device usage in schools. The goal is to minimize distractions, promote face-to-face interactions, ensure equity and inclusivity, enhance school safety, and encourage a positive school culture.
Below is a summary of the requirements for cell phone/personal mobile device usage in schools, effective September 1, 2024.
Elementary Schools (Kindergarten - Grade 8 Students)
In DCDSB elementary schools, Kindergarten - Grade 8 students must ensure cell phones and personal mobile devices are stored out of sight for the full school day. Devices must be powered off or set to silent during school hours, which includes recess and lunch hour (i.e. any time the student is on school property). Cell phone usage is only permitted if the educator deems it necessary for educational purposes.
If the educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view, they will ask that the device be handed in for the instructional day and the device must be placed, by the student, in a storage area in a location designated by the principal. If the student does not hand in their device when requested, they will be sent to the principal's office.
Students are responsible for their cell phones, appropriate use, and the consequences of not following board/school policies and procedures. Students are responsible for their cell phones and for any loss or damage, just as they are for other personal items brought to school.
All washrooms are cell phone-free zones. We ask for your cooperation in ensuring no cell phones are brought into school washrooms to ensure the privacy and protection of dignity of all in the school community.
Secondary Schools (Grade 9 - Grade 12 Students)
In DCDSB secondary schools, Grade 9-12 students must turn off their cell phones and personal mobile devices or set to silent during instructional time, except where device use is permitted by the educator for educational purposes.
If the educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view, they will ask that 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. If the student does not hand in their device when requested, they will be sent to the principal's office.
Students are responsible for their cell phones, appropriate use, and the consequences of not following board/school policies and procedures. Students are responsible for their cell phones and for any loss or damage, just as they are for other personal items brought to school.
All washrooms are cell phone-free zones. We ask for your cooperation in ensuring no cell phones are brought into school washrooms to ensure the privacy and protection of dignity of all in the school community.
Social Media Sites on Board Networks and Devices
All social media sites and apps, including Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, Tik Tok, and Discord will no longer be available on school or board Wifi.
Social media platforms can only be used by students at school for educational purposes, directed by an educator. DCDSB has determined exception protocols for the use of social media for pedagogical or work-related purposes.
For more information please see the School rules: provincial Code of Conduct on the Government of Ontario website.