To Parents/Guardians:

 On April 28, 2024, the Ontario Ministry of Education released PPM 128 The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct with an implementation date of September 1, 2024. In this document, there is information specifically about School Board Policy on Enforcement of Restrictions to Student Personal Mobile Device Use, Possession, Enforcement Relating to Alcohol, Tobacco, Electronic Cigarettes, Recreational Cannabis and Related Products and Illegal Drugs and Restricting Access to Social Media on School Networks.

School Board Policy on Enforcement of Restrictions to Student Personal Mobile Device Use

The Ministry PPM 128 discusses how positive relationships underpin effective school communities. Teaching and learning begin with relationships with students, school staff, parents, and community members. Cell phone management, particularly the teaching of responsible use of cell phones, is made more effective when these positive relationships are fostered. It is important for all members of the school community to model the responsible use of cell phones and other personal mobile devices.

When a student uses their cell phone during instructional time in school or at other times that are not permitted during the school day, this is a teachable moment. Explaining that when a student ignores others by interacting with their cell phone, it can make others feel unimportant. These conversations allow students to see that their educators care about them paying attention and that when they don't, it sends a message that they didn't intend.

In September 2024, all staff will actively and purposefully make cell phone management strategies part of building school and classroom culture. All staff will engage learners as participants in this process. 

The Lambton Kent District School Board reminds students and community that personal mobile devices are not to be used during instructional time except under the following circumstances:

• for educational purposes as directed by an educator
• for health or medical purposes
• to support special education needs
   
  Cell phones, cameras and other digital imaging and/or audio recording devices are NOT permitted to be used in change rooms or washrooms at any time.
   

Students in Grades 8 and below may not use cellphones or other mobile devices at school during the school day without the permission of an educator and/or in those instances cited above.

Students in Grades 9 and above may not use cellphones or other mobiles devices during class time without the explicit permission of an educator and/or in those instances cited above.

In all instances, students' personal mobile devices must be turned off or set to silent mode and stored out of view as outlined above.

If an educator sees a mobile device that is not stored out of view, they must discuss with the student and/or ask for it to be handed in for the class (Grades 9-12) or for the day (Grades K-8). The student must place the device in a storage area in a location designated by the educator or principal.

Implementation strategies may vary depending on school and classroom communities and can include:

• Designating a space for cell phones and other personal mobile devices in classrooms and/or offices so that they are set to silent or powered off and out of view.
• Using lockers, classroom space such as a hanging numbered rack, lock box or safe, or any combination of these strategies.

Communication with parents and families is also important when students do not follow the school's cell phone expectations.

Enforcement Relating to Alcohol, Tobacco, Electronic Cigarettes, Recreational Cannabis and Related Products and Illegal Drugs

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits smoking (tobacco or related products, and cannabis) and the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) at schools, on school grounds, and all public areas within 20 meters of these grounds by all members of the school community. Anyone smoking or vaping on school property is guilty of an offence and if convicted may result in a fine under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017.

In the case of these substances being found in the possession of students, parents must be notified, and the student must surrender the item(s) to the educator or administrator. As per PPM 145 Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviour and the LKDSB Safe Schools Administrative Procedure A-AD-167-24, it is expected that students involved in these incidents would receive support to learn from inappropriate behaviours and make choices that support continuing their learning.

Restricting Access to Social Media on School Networks

School boards are also required to restrict access to all social media platforms on school networks and school devices.

Social media platforms can only be used by students at school for educational purposes, directed by an educator. School boards can determine exception protocols for the use of social media for pedagogical or work-related purposes.

The Lambton Kent District School Board will be blocking the following social media sites from school networks and devices for both students and the public, including visitors to any site:

• Meta (formerly Facebook)
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• TikTok

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Sincerely,

 John Howitt
Director of Education
Lambton Kent District School Board​