Cellphone restrictions, school zone speed limits take effect as B.C. kids head back to classroom
Global News
Effective Tuesday morning, B.C. school districts are required to have policies regulating the use of cellphones in the classroom.
Class is back in session across B.C., but now grade school students will have to keep the cellphones turned off or put away.
Effective Tuesday morning, school districts are required to have policies regulating the use of cellphones in the classroom.
The policies will differ across school districts, according to the B.C. government. They will address when students can use phones at school, while also considering the use of devices for accessibility and medical needs.
Parents outside Fraser River Middle School in New Westminster largely supported the move, saying phones are a distraction for kids during class time.
While even some kids agreed with the ban and restrictions, others were less enthused, but not always because of their lack of access to social media and their favourite apps.
Some students who say English is not their first language said cellphones offer them a quick and easy translation tool in the classroom.
Under the changes, school cellphone policies must address accessibility and accommodation needs, such as translators, alternative communication devices, text-to-speech and speech-to-text programs, timers, calendars and reminder software as well as health needs.
Surrey Schools superintendent Mark Pearmain says accommodations will be made for Surrey students as well.
