The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB) and the Grand Erie District School Board are both excited to welcome students back for the 2024-25 school year next Tuesday.
Tracey Austin, Manager of Communications for the BHNCDSB wants everyone to know there are some new rules in place due to updates to the provincial Code of Conduct and the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
Smoking and vaping are now banned at all schools, on school grounds, and within 20 metres of school property. Austin let us know what happens if students do not follow these rules.
The Board is also implementing restrictions on personal devices and social media.
Families will receive more details via email, so it’s important to ensure that all contact information is up to date.
Education Minister Jill Dunlop confirms that students in kindergarten through to grade six will have phones banned for the “full instructional day,” while grade seven and up will need to silence or turn off phones when they are in the classroom.
An explicit ban on vaping devices was also delivered for schools, prohibiting nicotine and tobacco products as well.
The GEDSB has listed all there changes online as well.
On the list, is shows several social media platform that will be banned at school:
Parents can check their child’s transportation details on the Student Transportation Services Parent Portal or contact transportation@stsbhn.ca for help.
Written by Jeremy Hall and Matt LeBlanc with files from the Canadian Press