The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has approved a new policy on use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) – such as cell phones and MP3 players – in schools. The policy states PEDs may be used only during regularly scheduled breaks, such as lunch hour, or in areas designated by principals ***. Cell phones and other PEDs must be turned off and stored out of sight in classrooms during instructional time. PEDs may never be used in washrooms or change rooms. The new policy applies to everyone in a school, and it was approved after extensive consultation with students, parents, school councils, teachers, principals, support staff and community members.
***Courtice Secondary School, has been designated a cell phone free zone. The School Behaviour Code states that cell phones may not be visible, powered on or used inside the school building at any time unless specific permission is given by the principal in exceptional circumstances.