A Richmond high school student says the newly mandated cellphone restriction has not changed much at school, but is keeping her better focused.
In April, the Ministry of Education and Child Care announced all B.C. school boards must update their policies to limit students' use of personal digital devices on school property, starting in the new school year.
Steveston-London Grade 12 student Cici Chen said the cellphone restriction policy isn't impacting her much as she has a fairly easy semester.
She told the Richmond News the new policy was clearly reiterated by all her teachers within the first week of class.
"The teachers go over their expectations and boundaries right at the start so there's no miscommunication," said Chen.
"It's pretty helpful. It gets me more focused on school work. It kind of helps me avoid procrastinating. So far, so good it's been pretty positive."
Prior to the newly mandated policy, some teachers at Steveston-London already had a no-phone policy in their classrooms, according to Chen.
"The more academic teachers, like science, already started telling students to not pull out their phones in their class even before the policy was implemented," she said.
Meanwhile, Richmond secondary student Ellen He said cellphone restriction was "pretty clear" during class, but it wasn't until the second week that students were made aware they couldn't use them unless it was lunchtime and after school.
"I was in the library for my study block where there's a bunch of other students in there, and the librarian told them to get off their phones if it's not for school even though they were just watching videos quietly," said He.
"It does get distracting when you have to keep listening to teachers telling people to put their phones away during class."
She added students generally knew when not to use their phones even before the policy came in, that is, while the teacher was talking during class.
"Some people need music to focus while doing work, so it can get difficult in that sense when you're not allowed to use your phone."
Overall, the Richmond School District described its first week of the newly mandated cellphone restriction on school grounds as positive.
"Both staff and students have been adjusting to the guidelines, and we are seeing a general adherence to the expectations set out," said David Sadler, spokesperson for the Richmond School District.
"To date, we have not encountered any significant incidents."
Sadler added students are "respectful of the policy" in most cases and reminders are generally "well-received."
The Richmond School District's policy on personal digital devices states elementary students should not have cellphones during the school day unless a supervising staff member allows them for educational use.
This includes during recess and lunch, and while outside on the playground and school property.
Meanwhile, high school students are allowed to use their phones in hallways between classes and during lunch.
However, phones are not allowed to be used during class time, assemblies, guest speaker events and school activities such as field trips.
"These guidelines are intended to restrict the use of personal digital devices at school for the purpose of promoting online safety and focused learning environments," explained Sadler.
Got an opinion on this story or any others in Richmond? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected]. To stay updated on Richmond news, sign up for our daily headline newsletter. Words missing in article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
