Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,
The Government of Ontario has announced changes to how students may use cellphones in schools and new rules surrounding social media and vaping starting this September. We welcome the announcement and endorsement of the issues raised by staff and the Board of Trustees and our ongoing efforts to address vaping, inappropriate cellphone usage, civility, and safety in schools.
While we welcome any steps that address the use of cellphones in the classroom and the negative impact they can have on learning, we will need to review the details of the announcement to determine how it impacts the development of the TDSB cellphone policy which was announced at the end of January. As part of this policy development process, the TDSB had been planning broad consultations with students, staff, families and experts, along with a review of best practices from around the world, to better understand what will and won’t work. We also want to ensure that any policy has the least negative impact on class participation, attendance, achievement, and the important relationships with educators and principal/vice principals.
Recognizing the harmful impacts of social media on students, the TDSB, together with other school boards recently launched a lawsuit against social media companies Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook and Instagram), Snap Inc. (SnapChat), and ByteDance Ltd. (TikTok) for disruption to the education system. We believe these companies have negligently designed and marketed addictive products that have disrupted our Board’s mandate to enhance student achievement and well-being. We will be implementing the Government of Ontario’s direction by further restricting social media use on our networks, however we believe it is also essential that social media companies make these products safer for students.
With regard to vaping, TDSB Trustees have been advocating for additional steps to be taken for a number of years now – whether it’s further restricting the sale of vape products or restricting advertising and appealing for funding for vape detectors in schools. This complements the ongoing efforts of school staff and public health to educate about and stop vaping. The TDSB prohibits vaping on school property, however we will be reviewing the new provincial guidance to determine the practical improvements to our policy and our responses to preventing and responding to vaping at school. We are glad to be working with all partners including parents, guardians and caregivers to support healthier habits and relationships among young people.
We will continue to provide updates as these respective policies are developed and put into place. Further to the information above, all school boards have been asked to share the following letter from the Minister of Education with more information about these changes (see below).
Sincerely,
Colleen Russell-Rawlins
Director of Education
Ministry of Education
Minister
315 Front Street West
Toronto ON M7A 0B8
Ministère de l'Éducation
Ministre
315, rue Front Ouest
Toronto ON M7A 0B8
Dear parents,
For the first time in nearly a generation, our government successfully negotiated agreements with all teachers’ unions and averted strikes in schools. This allowed us to deliver on our promise to parents to bring stability to classrooms and keep kids in class.
As kids benefit from three more years of uninterrupted learning, I have heard from many of you, teachers and students alike, about concerns about the alarming rise of youth vaping in schools and the persistent use of cellphones as a distraction from learning in class.
That is why we are rolling out Canada’s most comprehensive plan to counter these threats.
To help reduce distractions in our schools, starting this September, we are denying cellphone usage during instructional time so that students can focus on getting back to basics and learning foundational skills like reading, writing and math.
Our youngest learners in kindergarten to Grade 6, who may have phones, will now be required to keep phones on silent and out of sight for the duration of the day.
For students in Grades 7 to 12, phones can be with the student. However, they will only be permitted during instructional time if explicitly allowed by the educator.
We will also commit to having report cards include comments on students’ distraction levels in class. We recognize that some parents want to communicate with their children during school, and the policies listed above will still permit that during non-instructional time or when an educator gives permission.
When it comes to cellphones, Ontario’s policy is: out of sight and out of mind.
We are also removing social media websites from all school networks and devices to help strengthen in-person relationships, communication and social-emotional skills.
We have also announced a strict anti-vaping policy in schools where parents are immediately informed, and the vapes in a student’s possession will be given up and disposed of. There are immediate consequences for students caught in possession of illegal substances, and Public Health Units can also be engaged to support education, prevention and enforcement, when necessary. We are also providing funding to schools to install vape detectors so they can better enforce these new rules.
We are also increasing wrap-around supports for students to support learning, addictive behaviours and implementation, as well as dedicated training for teachers and supports for 2 parents on how best to manage this change. I encourage you to read the updated Provincial Code of Conduct that outlines these changes.
No matter how strong the policy is, we can’t do this alone.
To truly change behaviour, we are asking for your support and collaboration to hold conversations at home about the new expectations and the importance of respecting school staff and the rules as we head into September.
Change will come when we all work together and stand by teachers, principals, and education workers as they implement these new measures. Your co-operation will help ensure students can get back to basics, focus on their studies, and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.
By doing so, we restore common sense, where the focus remains on academic achievement and the safety of your child.
Thank you,
The Honourable Stephen Lecce
Minister of Education