As we prepare to welcome students and staff to a new school year, we wanted to share some important information on recent updates from the Ontario Ministry of Education that will mean some changes in our HCDSB schools and workplaces.
PPM 128 鈥� Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct
On June 27, 2024, the Ministry of Education issued which included updates to the Provincial Code of Conduct and provided direction to school boards to develop, implement, enforce, review and assess codes of conduct for their school communities. While HCDSB is already meeting many of the requirements announced by the Ministry of Education, we are in the process of updating the relevant policies/procedures and our HCDSB Code of Conduct to align with the Ministry updates.
The changes announced by the Ministry of Education include:鈥�
NEW! Cell Phones and Other Personal Mobile Devices
One of the updates in PPM 128 stipulates that student use of personal mobile devices during instructional time is not permitted, except under the following circumstances:
- for educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
- for health and medical purposes;
- to support special education needs.
A personal mobile device refers to any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or access the internet, such as a cellphone, tablet, laptop or smart watch.
Starting on September 4, 2024, unless one of the above circumstances apply:
Elementary school students (Kindergarten to Grade 8) will be required to keep personal mobile devices stored out of view and powered off or on silent modefor the full school day.
- If an educator sees an elementary student with a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view, they will ask the student to hand in their device in a designated storage area for the remainder of the day.
- If the student does not hand in their device, they will be sent to the Principal鈥檚 Office.
Secondary school students (Grades 9 to 12) will be required to keep personal mobile devices stored out of view and powered off or set to silent modeduring the instructional period/time.
- If an educator sees a secondary student with a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view, they will ask the student to hand in their device in a designated storage area for the instructional period.
- If the student does not hand in their device, they will be sent to the Principal鈥檚 Office.
NEW! Restricting Access to Social Media
The changes announced by the Ministry of Education require school boards to restrict access to all social media platforms on school devices and networks. Starting September 4, 2024, social media platforms will only be used by students at school for educational purposes, as directed by an educator and in accordance with HCDSB protocols.鈥�
Alcohol, Tobacco, Electronic Cigarettes, Recreational Cannabis and Illegal Drugs
PPM 128 notes that school boards must set out enforcement mechanisms to address the possession, use and provision of tobacco, nicotine products, electronic cigarettes (vaping), recreational cannabis, alcohol and illegal drugs.
HCDSB is currently meeting these requirements through HCDSB Policy II-28, Policy I-14, Policy II-39 and Procedure VI-44.
More Information
For more information about the recent updates outlined by the Ministry of Education, view the following flyers: New School Rules: cellphones, vaping and cannabis in English and in French. For additional details, visit:
We continue to take proactive measures to train staff and educate students about the potential negative impacts of these substances. HCDSB also works closely with Halton Region Public Health and are currently updating education programs to support student learning, parent/guardian awareness, and staff training around alcohol, tobacco, vaping and drug use.
As we head into the 2024-2025 school year, we are asking for the support and collaboration of parents and guardians to hold conversations at home about these expectations and the importance of a focused learning environment.
At HCDSB, we are committed to keeping parents and guardians informed and engaged in their child鈥檚 learning.鈥疶he Ministry of Education has created a resource to help parents and guardians support their child鈥檚 success and make informed decisions about their education.鈥疞earn more: /parents/a-parent-guide-to-education/
We look forward to a successful school year ahead!
