Holy Cross Cell Phone Policy
As per the announcement on August 15th, 2024 by Mr. Nello Altomare, the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning in Manitoba, effectively September 1st, 2024, Kindergarten to Grade Eight students in Manitoba are BANNED from using cellphones during school/instructional hours, inclusive of breaks and lunch.
Appropriate exceptions to support student medical and diverse learning needs will be accommodated based on individual student needs.
At Holy Cross School, we are committed to upholding the provincial expectation of cellphone use in school. Our students have the right to learn in environments with limited distractions and where the potentially harmful impacts of online platforms and cellphone use are minimized. At Holy Cross School we are committed to working collaboratively to enhance our students’ education and maintain safe learning environments and well as our commitment to working with our Holy Cross Families.
The following consequences will be in place to begin the 2024/2025 school year effective September 1, 2024:
First Offence: The staff member will take the cell phone from the student, administration will be notified and hold onto the cell phone for the remainder of the day. The student will pick up the cell phone at the end of the day and parents will be notified by email about the infraction.
Second Offence: The staff member will take the cell phone from the student, administration will be notified and hold onto the cell phone for the remainder of the day. The parent(s) of the student must pick up the cell phone at the end of the day before 4:00 PM or the next school day.
Third and Subsequent Offences: The staff member will take the cell phone from the student, administration will be notified, an email will be sent to the parent(s), and a meeting will be set with administration involving the parents and the student and the cell phone will be required to stay at home for one week. If the phone is taken away again during this time frame, the phone will be required to be dropped off at the front office and remain there for the day and must be picked up by the parent at the end of the day during the one-week period. Further infractions beyond this will result in a longer time period where the phone is to remain at home.