Cell phone ban in N.L. Schools to start on Monday

The classroom should be less distracting for K-12 students returning to school on Monday.

Newfoundland and Labrador's school personal electronic device policy will be official as of Jan. 6. 

Students and teachers will no longer be allowed to use cell phones or other smart devices in class, including smartwatches, music-playing devices, earbuds, and headphones.

Kindergarten through grade six students will not have access to their devices at all during the school day. They are encouraged to keep their devices at home.

For students in grades seven to twelve, devices should not be on a student's body during instructional hours. Instead, devices should be placed in a bag, school bag, desk drawer, or locker. 

If caught, there is a three-violation rule.

A first violation results in an email sent home to the student's parents. A second violation means surrendering the device for the rest of the school day. A third violation means the device goes to the principal's office, where a parent or guardian has to collect it.

Teachers and administrators can issue other progressive disciplinary actions if a student is caught using a device more than three times. 

Exceptions to this policy exist for students requiring a translation device, alternative learning plans, or medical needs, such as glucose monitoring through a smartphone app.

Otherwise, recess and lunch are the only times students can use their devices in school. 

Parents looking to contact their children during school hours should contact the office. 

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