Richard Froese
South Peace News
Students in schools in the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division are being requested to leave their cellphones and other personal electronic mobile devices at home on school days.
Trustees discussed the new provincial ban during its regular meeting Sept 3, says an HFCRD news release.
“We are asking parents to encourage their children to leave those devices at home,” the release states.
Banned personal electronic devices includes tablets, laptops and Smartwatches.
Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced June 17 that the government would ban the use of personal devices and access to social media for students during class time starting at the start of the 2024-25 school year.
Use of cell phones is allowed only outside of class time unless authorized by the teacher for instructional purposes, special learning needs or allowed for health and medical reasons.
All social media platforms are blocked for students on school Wi-Fi on school days Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Staff are encouraged to lead by example, but no rules are currently in place.
Holy Family’s teacher-board advisory committee has been directed to draft any protocols needed for staff.