Technology Policy
The new Code of Conduct provisions around student cell phone use detailed in the Ministry of Education's PPM 128 came into effect this September. The HDSB Code of Conduct is reflective of these changes and can be found at hdsb.ca. While these changes are now directed by the Ministry, they are inline with routines and practices that have been in place for a period of time here at Clarksdale.
GRADES FDK-2
Students in FDK-Grade 2 do not require personal electronic devices at school. With the level of access to technology for our Primary students, and the early stages of their digital literacy, we respectfully request that all devices be left at home. If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
GRADES 3-6
Students in Grades 3-5 do not require personal devices at school. Should you feel that your child requires a cell phone for before/after school, these devices must remain in their backpack throughout the day. If your child in Grades 3-6 has a personal chromebook/laptop, you may choose to allow them to bring this technology to school, but it is not required or necessary.. If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
Clarksdale’s policies around personal electronic devices, includes cell phones, tablets, smart watches and air pods.
All electronic devices must ALWAYS kept in backpacks during the school day unless required for use in class as an instructional tool, as directed by the teacher.
teachers may give permission to students to use electronic devices as a tool during instructional time with DIRECT supervision, the screen must be readily visible to the teacher
notifications must be turned off when used as an instructional tool
students should not be using their cell phones and devices in the hallways, bathrooms, or on the school field during breaks or during classroom instructional time without permission
students use the office phone to call parents if needed, students should not be texting parents during the day
parents are requested to contact the office in order to communicate any messages to their child(ren). Parents are asked to refrain from contacting their child via text or email.
Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tik Tok, and other Social Media Applications must not be used on school property
no photos/videos should be taken at school unless it is assignment/project related and permission given and supervised by the teacher.
If a student does not follow the above expectations, the following consequences will occur:
First offense: reminder of expectations and the device is asked to be put away, until the end of the day.
Second offense: reminder of expectations,device is taken away by the teacher and stored in a secured location. If the teacher would like it stored at the office, the teacher can bring it to the office. The device is returned at the end of the day. Communication is shared home by the teacher.
Third offense: student and device are sent to the office, and the device remains in the office until the end of the day. An administrator will speak to the student and their parent and the device must remain home for a week. If device cannot be left at home, student can drop it off and pick it up at the office each day.
Subsequent offenses: the office will contact parents with a request that the cell phone stays home.