INNISFAIL - New province-wide restrictions on student cellphone use and access to social medial platforms has gone well in Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) so far this school year, says superintendent Kathleen Finnigan.
In her monthly report presented during the recent board meeting, Finnigan updated trustees on the ban, which came into effect province-wide starting at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
“Overall, we are hearing from schools that the transition has gone smoothly given pre-existing school expectations around cellphones,” said Finnigan. “School have also communicated their expectations to parents.
“We continue to seek feedback on our draft administrative process from schools. Schools have examined the new ministerial order on personal mobile devices and adjusted school rules and processes to reflect this.”
The 10,600-student RDCRS includes schools in Innisail and Olds, with some students from across the region busing to those schools for classes.
In August RDCRS trustees received a report from division administration outlining the new provincial restrictions on personal mobile devices and access to social media.
School authorities are required to enforce the new provincial restrictions in September 2024 and have policies and/or procedures in place by January 2025.
“Although these restrictions are definitive, they leave school authorities with some autonomy and flexibility,” the report states.
“Alberta Education has recommended that school boards develop polities to guide the school division’s administrative procedures (regarding the cellphone).”
Trustees accepted Finnigan’s report as information.
