Welcome to the start of a new school year! This page provides important information about changes regarding the use of personal mobile devices in our schools, which align with the Ministry of Education’s new guidelines under
Policy/Program Memorandum 128 – The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct.
Ensuring Safe and Productive Learning Environments
Starting September 2024, the use of personal mobile devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, will be restricted during instructional time to enhance focus and support student well-being. These changes reflect our commitment to fostering a respectful and distraction-free learning environment for all students.
What this Means for Students
Kindergarten to Grade 6:
During the School Day: Students must keep their mobile devices silenced and out of sight throughout the day, including breaks and lunch, and are encouraged not to bring them to school.
When Devices Can Be Used: Mobile devices can only be used during the school day if a teacher allows them for learning, for health reasons, or to support special education needs.
Grades 7- 8:
During the School Day: Students must keep their mobile devices silenced and out of sight throughout the school day, including breaks and lunch.
When Devices Can Be Used: Mobile devices can only be used during class if a teacher allows them for learning, health reasons, or to support special education needs. They may be used after dismissal at the end of the day.
Grades 9 – 12:
During the School Day: Students must keep their mobile devices silenced and out of sight throughout instructional time.
When Devices Can Be Used: Mobile devices can only be used during class if a teacher allows them for learning, health reasons, or to support special education needs. They may be used outside of instructional times, for example, during breaks, before and after school.
Modelling Responsible Technology Use
Our staff members will model responsible technology use to reinforce the importance of maintaining focused and respectful learning environments for our students.
How can I contact my child during the day?
To contact your child during the school day, please call the main office. Connecting with your child through the main office allows them to stay focused on their learning and fully engage in the important interactions they have with peers and educators. If your child needs to contact you, they can use a phone available in the school. This approach helps maintain a focused and productive learning environment while ensuring that communication needs are met appropriately.
School-Specific Implementation
All Kenora Catholic schools will be following our new student procedure
308: Use of Personal Mobile Devices. However, each school may have additional guidance tailored to their specific community on how the procedure is implemented. These school-specific measures will help ensure that the procedure supports the unique needs of each school while maintaining a consistent approach across the board.
Social Media and Digital Citizenship
Additionally, social media platforms will be restricted on school networks and devices. We will continue educating our students on responsible technology use and digital citizenship as part of our commitment to their development.
Upcoming Parent/Guardian Information Sessions
Navigating the online world with your children can be challenging, and we're here to support you. Join us in September for Information Sessions to discuss the impact of social media and cell phone use on youth mental health. While emerging research links increased online activity to negative outcomes, there is hope. We'll share strategies for fostering safe and healthy online habits and explore how we can work together to support our children's well-being. More details, including dates, will be shared soon.
Partnership with Families
We appreciate your ongoing support in reinforcing these new guidelines at home. By working together, we can help ensure that our students stay focused and engaged during the school day.