(Satpal Singh Johal): From September 5, Ross Drive Public School (Brampton’s ward 9) will not allow students to use their cellphones, personal devices such as headphones, and iPods during the school day. These restrictions are being introduced due to distractions, online cyberbullying, and the misuse of personal devices.
It is recommended that cell phones and personal devices be left at home. Lost, stolen or broken devices are not the responsibility of the school as there is no need for these devices to be at school.
If parents choose to send their child with a cell phone to school, it is the educators’ expectation that cell phones be put away when the school day begins. Personal devices and cell phones will remain in student backpacks or lockers until the end of the day. Cell phones will not be used during the nutrition breaks in school.
If students need to make a phone call home, they only need to ask an adult to access a school phone either in the classroom or the front office. If parents need to leave a message with their child, the school’s office staff will be happy to assist them.
The school staff will provide the device students would need during an appropriate lesson, and the skills to use that technology appropriately.
These expectations will be reviewed, both in classrooms and during the Code of Conduct Assemblies during the first week of school.
