Reminder: new device policy at all School District 60 schools in effect this September

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — School District 60 is reminding parents that its new policy for internet connected devices will be in effect to start the 2024-25 school year.

The policy, which was approved in May, covers devices like phones, tablets and smartwatches that kids bring to school from home, rather than devices owned by the school and loaned temporarily to students.

Under the new rules, elementary school students will not be allowed to use personal devices like these at any time during the school day.

Middle and secondary school students, meanwhile, won’t be allowed to use their personal devices during instructional time, unless it “supports a specific curricular objective and is part of instructional planning.”

The policy change comes after a provincial announcement on January 26th updated the use of digital technology by students in school, which must be in place across the province in the 2024-2025 school year.

Before this policy change, restrictions and guidelines for students and internet devices varied across the district and even within schools, with discretion placed with the individual teachers and school administrators. 

To read a letter outlining the new restrictions, sent by the school district to parents on May 22nd, 2024, look below.