Vaping and Personal Mobile Devices

Effective September 2024, all Ontario school boards will be required to follow the Ministry of Education’s update to the Provincial Code of Conduct to promote healthy and welcoming learning environments. This includes all students being required to follow strict anti-vaping and personal mobile device use guidelines.

When can students use a mobile device? 

Students must not use cell phones and other personal mobile devices during instructional time. During instructional time, devices must be turned off or set to silent mode and stored out of view. 

• Students in K to Grade 6 can use a mobile device before- and after-school, if permitted based on school policies.  
• Students in Grade 7 and 8 can use a mobile device during recess/breaks or lunch, if permitted based on school policies. 
• Grade 9 to 12 students can use a mobile device during breaks or lunch.  

Students can use their mobile device during learning time only when: 

• a teacher says to use it as part of learning, for example, doing research or visiting a specific website. 
• it’s needed for a health or medical reason. 
•  it supports special education needs. 

What does the use of mobile devices look like in my child(ren)’s school? 
Some schools have had their own policy for the use of mobile devices. Those policies remain in effect if they meet the new minimum requirements of the Ministry of Education.  

For the schools without an already established policy, they will adopt the new Ministry requirements. If you have any questions, please check with your child(ren)’s Principal.

Are social media applications banned in Grand Erie schools?

Effective July 1, 2024 the following social media sites will be blocked for students:

*Subject to be updated

What does this ban on vaping mean for students?

Students cannot bring electronic cigarettes (vapes), tobacco and/or nicotine products to school, including school transportation.
If a student is in possession of an electronic cigarette (vape), tobacco or nicotine product it will be surrendered and disposed of, and parents/guardians will be immediately informed.

Do you have any resources for students who vape?

• School Mental Health Ontario and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health have compiled resources to find a healthy balance in using technology and screen time at home
• Talking with your teen about vaping: A tip sheet for parents from Health Canada 
• Drug Free Kids Canada has a fact sheet with ideas about how to talk to your child about vaping, as well as general information about vaping.

How are the public health units supporting?

The schools are working with their local health unit (Brant County Health Unit or Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit) to ensure that the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 is enforced. BCHU has a resource for youth and families who want help with vaping or smoking.

Resources

• Grand Erie letter to families – September 4, 2024
• Ministry of Education - New School Rules: Cellphones, Vaping and Cannabis
• Code of Conduct Procedure SO-012 
• Acceptable Use of Information Technology Procedure IT-001 
• PPM 128 Provincial Code of Conduct 
• Ministry of Education letter to families – April 28, 2024

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits smoking (tobacco and cannabis) and the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) at schools, on school grounds and all public areas within 20 metres of these grounds. Anyone smoking or vaping on school property is guilty of an offence and if convicted may result in a fine under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017.

Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room

Elgin Avenue Public School welcomed staff, students and community to the Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

On hand for this special occasion was Chair of the Board Carol Ann Sloat, Trustee Rita Collver and Superintendent Liana Thompson as well as several members of the community that contributed to the fundraising, and Elgin staff members.

Allie Richardson (teacher of students with autism), Lori Minarik (EA working with students with autism) and Samantha Nicholson (Principal) worked together for over three and a half years to fundraise for this $30,000 project. The Elgin community, parents, local charities and the Grand Erie District School Board all came together to make this project a huge success.

A Snoezelen Room is a multi-sensory environment that provides a controlled, safe, relaxing space for individuals with a variety of sensory needs. The room is set up to give individuals a positive space where they can meet their specific needs in a calming atmosphere. This atmosphere helps in reducing fear, anxieties, repetitive behaviour, self-abusive behaviour and aggressive behaviour so that students are better able to learn. Students at Elgin in both self-contained classes and in the regular classes will be able to access the room to help meet their sensory needs.

According to Seth, a student who accesses the room daily, “It is the best room ever!!!”