School Cell Phone Use
On August 15, 2024, the Province of Manitoba established enhanced guidelines for school cell phone use to minimize distractions and support student learning and safety. This new provincial directive, which all public school divisions must adhere to, aligns with the recently announced changes to HSD policy regarding cell phone use in schools and further expands upon existing protocols for Grades 9-12.
Effective September 3, 2024, Hanover School Division will implement the following protocols in all HSD schools:
Grades K-8
Students are not permitted to bring their phones to school.
Grades 9-12
Students are banned from cell phone use during class time and may be permitted to use cell phones during break times/lunch and for educational purposes when directed by classroom teachers. We remind parents to limit texting their high school students during class hours to minimize distractions.
Schools will provide appropriate exceptions to support students with medical or diverse learning needs. We ask students to respect the privacy of classmates who have been granted such exceptions.
Our collective goal is to create an educational environment where students can fully engage in their learning without the distractions that cell phones often present. We appreciate your continued support in helping us create the best possible learning environment for our students.
For additional information, please view the following document – Guidelines for Cell Phone Use in Manitoba Classrooms (PDF)