Policy Review 2024

USE OF TECHNOLOGY POLICY - the survey has now concluded

In January the Premier announced a directive expecting schools to include restrictions on the use of cell phones in their codes of conduct. Districts were given broad leeway on how to implement this; in our District, the Board chose to go with a policy and procedure related to it. The first draft of a policy on technology use was presented to District Staff and Principals for feedback. Please note that while it includes cell phones, it goes beyond that, into both ‘personal digital devices’ and (school owned) technology as well. Staff is planning to consult with students and the public via EngageMPSD.

Presented (click HERE) is a policy that was approved in Principle for Mission Public Schools student use of technology (March 12).

*A second policy/guidelines for Staff use of Cell Phones is coming at a later time.

March 21, 2024: Ministry of Education and Child Care Order M89, effective July 1, 2024

April 12, 2024: Restricting Device Use

The Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order has been amended. All boards of education are to include one or more statements restricting student use of personal digital devices at school. Review the letter from the deputy minister and support guide for details.

Codes of Conduct are required to be updated by July 1 and submitted by August 15.

Cell phone use related articles collected:

• Mission School District Evaluates Cell Phone Restrictions
• Mission School District Technology Policy Open for Feedback
• Electronics in School - Letter from Mission DPAC
• Today in BC: Digital Literacy Expert Opposes BC wide Policy
• Vancouver Sun: BC Teens score grades, social skills, after high school ban of cell phones
• CBC.ca Kids News: Are cellphone bans in schools a good idea?
• Oxford Learning: Should cellphones be allowed in classrooms?
• CBC: Is Cellphone use in classrooms failing our kids?
• Globe and Mail: Cell phones should be restricted, not banned.
• Cellphone restrictions coming to Burnaby
• CNN: Hey parents, don't text your kids at school
• DPAC Raises Concerns over potential impact of social media on children's mental health (SD60)
• Globe & Mail: BC struggles towards province wide cell phone policy

Below are some policies in place around the province of BC, you can see for reference:

• SD33, Rosedale Traditional Policy
• SD61, Glanford Policy
• SD38, Richmond
• SD51, Boundary
• SD5, SE Kootenay
• SD91, Nechako Lakes
• SD22, Vernon
• SD46, Sunshine Coast
• SD79, Cowichan Valley

Before we finalize the policy, we are looking for significantly more feedback from parents, students, and employees. Please review the information provided on this webpage. We appreciate receiving all the feedback and comments we collected by April 20^th, 2024.

PLEASE REVIEW THE FEEDBACK WE HAVE RECEIVED AT MARCH 5 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

WE HAVE SUPPLIED LINKS TO VARIOUS DOCUMENTS FOR COMPARISON.