Responsible Use of Personal Mobile Devices
There is a good deal of research to suggest that digital devices in the school environment are detrimental to students. Studies have found that more time on electronic communication results in lower psychological well-being in adolescents, with some research linking increased screen time to anxiety and depression due to a decline in face-to-face relationships. Other studies have shown that the mere presence of a phone — on a desk or in a pocket — can lower working memory capacity. Research has also shown that cellphones result in students being distracted 20% of the school day, the equivalent of missing 36 days of school.
At Captain Nichola Goddard School, we follow the CBE "Away for the Day" guidelines. Personal mobile devices are important to students; however, irresponsible use can cause disruptions during instructional time and negatively affect learning. We encourage all parents to read this policy and ask that they support us in its implementation.
Personal Mobile Device Definition
For this policy, a personal mobile device is any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with or access the internet, such as a cellphone, tablet, gaming device, laptop, or smartwatch. This also includes devices capable of communicating with a mobile device such as headphones, and bluetooth devices (e.g. earbuds and speakers).
School Expectations
- Personal mobile devices are not to be used for personal communication or entertainment anywhere within the school during the school day.
- Personal mobile devices are not permitted in classrooms during instructional time unless direct permission is given by the supervising teacher.
- Use of any digital device, including personal mobile devices, in bathrooms and change rooms is prohibited at all times.
- Personal mobile devices are not permitted as calculators on assessments.
- Students who choose to bring personal mobile devices to school do so at their own risk. The CBE assumes no responsibility for the safety, security, loss, repair, or replacement of student devices.
- CBE blocks student access to known social media platforms on school networks and school devices for all grade levels.
- Students with a documented IPP accommodation will be permitted to use personal mobile devices in class in collaboration with and under the supervision of a classroom teacher or educational assistant.
- Students who require access to a personal mobile device for health and medical needs must have a Student Health Plan submitted by a parent at the beginning of each school year.
- English as an Additional Language Learners who require access to a personal mobile device must have a PMD Exception form approved by school administration in conversation with parents/guardians.
- Students with accommodations who misuse personal mobile devices will lose the opportunity to have them in class.
Disciplinary Measures
Students who do not follow these personal device guidelines will be addressed through escalating levels of discipline in accordance with the Progressive Discipline Policy of the CBE:
- Student is reminded of the expectations regarding responsible use of personal mobile devices. No further action is taken at this stage.
- Student turns in their personal mobile device to the teacher. The device is returned to the student at the end of the school day and a parent/guardian is informed by the teacher.
- Student is sent to the office to hand in their personal mobile device. The device is returned to the student at the end of the school day. An administrator will contact the parent/guardian to discuss the repeated infraction.
- Student will either not bring their personal mobile device to school or will turn it in to the office at the start of the day and retrieve it when they leave. An administrator will contact the parent/guardian.
- Repeated offences will be treated as refusal to comply with school rules and dealt with in consultation with parents/guardians and may result in further consequences as determined by administration.
Parent/Guardian Contact with Students
Parents and guardians are asked to refrain from contacting their child on their personal mobile device during the school day to avoid unnecessary distraction. If you need to reach your child, please contact the school office and we will facilitate that connection. Alternatively, parents and guardians can wait for their child to respond to messages when they have access to their devices at the end of the school day.