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:
| 4chan | Lainchan | Snapchat | Twitch | |
| 8chan | Gab | Parler | Telegram | Twitter/X |
| 8Kun | InfinityChan | TikTok | Voat | |
| Discord | Truth Social | |||
| Endchan | Kiwi Farms | Ruqqus | Tumblr | Wizardchan |
*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.
Get Out / Get Active - Colour House Event at Mohawk Park
The whole school participated in our Get Out/Get Active day on Monday, April 24th at Mohawk Park. Students played together in multi-grade Colour House groups as they rotated through 6 stations (scavenger hunt, parachute games, obstacle course, mural painting, play structure and snack). The weather was perfect for some exercise, team building, and co-operative learning.
Pink Shirt Day - February 22, 2017
The students of Echo Place School participated in several activities last month to educate and inspire our students to stand up against bullying and create a welcome, inclusive and safe school environment. Classes worked together to create posters that are now proudly displayed in our hallways.
They also worked in Colour House groups to create a welcome tree at our front entrance. Each student traced their handprint on coloured paper and wrote how they make this school a safe and kind place for everyone. On February 22, our school participated in Pink Shirt Day and classes presented stories and pledges at our school assembly, to share their understanding of the impact that bullying has, and why we will stand up against it.
The Amazing Math Race
On Tuesday, November 29th several families gathered in the gym to participate in our first Amazing Math Race.
Each family was given a passport and travelled from room to room solving fun math challenges. Each page of the passport was given a stamp when the challenge in that room was completed. When the passports were filled, the families returned to the gym for their prizes.
Everyone enjoyed cake, juice and coffee and all families received valuable resources to support their child's math learning at home. It was a great event.
Echo Place News for October 28, 2016
By Mr. Roberts Grade 6/7 class
Click to View the Echo Place News Report
Missing – Sound system
The sound system we use at assemblies for our microphone and to amplify our slide shows has gone missing from the stage area in our gym. The last time it was used was at our last assembly, on Sept. 30th. We have looked high and low, but have be unable to locate our system. It consists of a large amplifier, with multiple knobs and two large speakers. It is a Fender Passport 150 Pro. We are hopeful that if this system has been take out of the school, someone will spot it and let us know. The staff and students are all very sad that our only system has gone missing.
If you have any information about our sound system, please call 905-753-2931
Let's Chalk!
Echo Place Students participate in Let's Chalk Event
Friendship Bench
Our Friendship Bench is created in memory of Mrs. Linington and Mrs. Kauk, who were friends to everyone at Echo Place. This bench will be placed outside in our school yard, and will be used as a place for children to go when they need a friend. Several students from each classroom helped decorate the bench by supplying their painted handprints.
Golden Dustpan Award
At the end of each month, Ms. Reading (Custodian) will award the cleanest classroom with the Golden Dustpan Award. This month, Ms. Mancini and Mrs. Grandpre's JK/SK class was the winner. They will proudly display their trophy in the classroom for the following month.
At the end of the school year, the classroom that won the Golden Dustpan the most times will win a special surprise.
"We Believe In Clean"
September 2016 Golden Dustpan Award Winner: Mrs. Wainwright's Grade 4/5 Class (below)
February 2016 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Ms Mancini (in for Mrs. Springett) and Mrs. Grandpre's JK/SK Class (below)
January 2016 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Mrs. Mussi's Grade 1 class (below)
December 2015 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Mrs. Woodley's Grade 2 class (below)
November 2015 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Mrs. Springett and Mrs. Grandpre's JK/SK class (below)
October 2015 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Ms. Barrett's JK/SK class (below)
September 2015 Golden Dustpan Award Winners: Mrs. Mussi's Grade 1 class (below)
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