Face of Nation : Students at St. Thomas High School on Montreal’s West Island have new restrictions on cellphone use this year that require them to turn off their phones and put them in their lockers all day.
The new policy banning cellphone use on school property was emailed to parents of the Pointe-Claire high school on Monday evening.
Under the new policy, students will not be able to use their electronic devices in school even during their breaks, so there’s no texting, calling, social media, listening to music or taking photos until they leave the school at the end of the day.
The policy also says that if the policy is not respected, the device would be “withheld or removed” from the student. If a student is caught using a cellphone in school for a third time, it would be confiscated until the parent or guardian can retrieve it.
The policy says the device could be held for “the next three business days.” However, Jim Hendry, spokesperson for the Lester B. Pearson school board, said no cellphones will be kept for longer than a school day.
The school’s governing board discussed the new policy in June and it was presented to Secondary 1 parents in late August, he explained. The plan was well-received and an email went out to everybody else, he said. “It is unfortunate that the conversation is taking place on social media, with accurate and inaccurate information.”
“St. Thomas is a vibrant school community, and as always, is open for discussions with parents within the appropriate venues available.” Any issues regarding health and/or safety will be considered a “top priority” at St. Thomas, he said, and any time a students needs to be reached, parents can do so through the appropriate cycle office.
