StarSite

Mobile phones and Electronic Devices

SCOIL  MAELRUAIN  SINSEAR

POLICY  ON  ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Introductory Statement:

This policy was initially drafted by the teaching staff of Scoil Maelruain Senior, on 21st of March, 2003, during our School Development Planning Day.  It was submitted to the Board of Management and the Parents’ Representatives on the 7th of April, 2003.  After consulting with the various partners, the policy was finalised and approved by the Board of Management on the 19/5/2003.  Reviewed in 2010 and 2014 and February 2018.

Rationale:

The policy is necessary to regulate the use of mobile phones and all electronic devices by the students in the school.

Electronic devices include, but are not limited to: mobile phones, cameras, Ipods, tablets and other devices that may or may not be used to communicate and access the internet.

Aims:

1.       To clarify for the School Community, the use and possession of electronic devices, by
the students in the school.

2.       To ensure that electronic devices do not interrupt or interfere with the students’ school
work and school life.

3.       To avoid the misuse of electronic devices by students.

Guidelines:

v Mobile phones must be switched off on entering the school grounds.

v Mobile phones will be stored in children’s school bags.

v Mobile phones can only be turned on when a child exits the school grounds at the end of the day.

v No other electronic devices that have the capacity to record are permitted in Scoil Maelruain Senior (eg. Smart phones , go pro cameras).

v The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.

v Mobile phones may only be used in exceptional circumstances, between 9:05 and 2:45, with the  teacher’s permission or the Principal’s permission.

v Children are not allowed bring mobile phones to the yard.

v The same rules apply for school tours.

Sanctions for misuse of mobile phones:

  1. Confiscation by teacher till home time and a verbal warning
  2. Confiscation by teacher till home time and a note home
  3. Confiscation, call to parents – they can collect it at their convenience from office
  4. Repeated offences will lead to confiscation by school principal and a ban against having a mobile phone at school

Roles and Responsibility:

This policy will be supported, developed and implemented by the staff with the full support of the Board of Management.

Timeframe for Implementation:

February 2018

Timeframe for Review:

Reviewed and amended February 2020.

D.O’Reilly, P. Moore, R.Kelly, N.Nolan, S. Corcoran, M. DePaor, M. Flood and N. Biesty and Student Council.

Responsibility for Review:

a)       Teaching Staff

b)      Parents

c)       Board of Management

C. Hogan will co-ordinate the review.

Mobile Phone Guidelines

v Mobile phones must be switched off on entering the school grounds.

v Mobile phones will be stored in children’s school bags.

v Mobile phones can only be turned on when a child exits the school grounds at the end of the day.

v No other electronic devices that have the capacity to record are permitted in Scoil Maelruain Senior (eg. Smart watches , go pro cameras).

v The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.

v Mobile phones may only be used in exceptional circumstances, between 9:05 and 2:45, with the teacher’s permission or the Principal’s permission.

v Children are not allowed bring mobile phones to the yard.

v The same rules apply for school tours.

Sanctions for misuse of mobile phones/electronic devices

_____________________________________________

1. CONFISCATION BY TEACHER TILL HOME TIME AND A VERBAL WARNING

2. CONFISCATION BY TEACHER TILL HOME TIME AND A NOTE HOME

3. CONFISCATION, CALL TO PARENTS – THEY CAN COLLECT IT AT THEIR CONVENIENCE FROM OFFICE

4.REPEATED OFFENCES WILL LEAD TO CONFISCATION BY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND A BAN FROM HAVING A MOBILE PHONE IN SCHOOL.

I have read and agree with the mobile phone guidelines.

Parent’s signature: _________________