Holy Trinity Catholic School - Cell Phone (& other Tech) Practice
2026-2027
We are so very fortunate to have a plethora of technology at Holy Trinity Catholic High School to accommodate the learning needs of our students. We similarly acknowledge that technology is such an integral part of our world today, and we want to increase our students’ digital citizenship. In doing so, we would like to encourage the usefulness of our school-provided technology and guide students to use their own personal devices responsibly.
While we recognize that cell phones are part of our everyday lives, they are not a necessary requirement to meet curricular outcomes. In fact, cell phones, smart watches, and meta glasses are often a distraction to our students’ ability to engage in their learning. In order to support student learning, the student device expectation for all students must be consistent.
Personal technology—including cell phones, smartwatches, and smart glasses (such as Meta glasses)—may not be in a student's possession during class time. Individual teachers will instruct students on whether devices must remain powered off inside backpacks or placed in a designated classroom holder, and students are expected to follow these classroom-specific directions.
If parents need to reach their child for any reason, we ask that you please call the office at (780) 792-0012, and the message will be relayed with priority and care.
Keeping it Consistent
Cell phones can be a powerful educational tool in our schools and world. However, students need to know when and where they should (and should not) be allowed to use their phones.
Furthermore, we will enforce clear expectations for all HT students so that teachers are supported uniformly, learning can effectively take place with little distraction, and students have a sense of consistency. Students are made aware of these expectations, as well as the consequences that we have agreed upon if they fail to adhere to these expectations.
Breakdown of Consequences for Inappropriate Technology Use
Due to the fact that this is the THIRD year with the Ministerial Order, there will be no warnings.
First offence:
Teacher takes the cell phone, and sends it to the office for safe keeping - until the end of that school day. Student can come to the office at the end of the day to retrieve it from their Vice Principal. Their grade level VP will document this first offence.
Second offence:
Teacher takes the cell phone, and sends it to the office for safe keeping - until the end of that school day. A phone call to the parent will be conducted with the grade level VP. Student can come to the office at the end of the day to retrieve it from their Vice Principal. Their grade level VP will document this second offence.
Third offence:
Teacher takes the cell phone, and sends it to the office for safe keeping. A phone call will be conducted with the student, parent, and VP. Parent must come pick up the phone or have a plan with the team (VP, student, parent).
Further offences:
Parents and teacher(s)/administration will discuss further consequences as needed, such as handing in the cell phone each morning before classes start.
HEADPHONES:
Airpods/Ear buds/Headphones: The use of these devices continues to be a challenge, and we have decided to address it with extra focus. As per the Ministerial Order, students are not permitted to use Headphones at all during class time.
We understand that some students may have specific learning needs that require the use of these devices. If your child's Individualized Support Plan (ISP) includes the use of a personal electronic device, their teacher will be notified. In these cases, the teacher will determine the appropriate time and context for their use to ensure it aligns with the student's learning goals.
The consequences for violating this policy will be applied as outlined above. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain an effective and focused learning environment for all students.
Cell Phone Understandings
1) Students are more than welcome to bring their own laptop, Ipad or other device to school and use it under approved circumstances and with teacher supervision. However…
Cell phones and other tech devices are NOT to be seen in a classroom when instruction is given or work is to be completed without a device.
Break times - Reading, writing, drawing, socializing, taking a brain break or using the washroom, etc, are activities that are encouraged during this time.
Class time - Upon the teacher’s direction only (teachers must inform the principal at least 24h ahead of time). There are many appropriate ways to use technology to learn, research and report. We completely support the educational use of technology in our school when it is required.
Students can access the WiFi, and connecting to the Internet will be for educational purposes.
Students ARE allowed technology during recesses & lunch only, but will be held accountable for its responsible use and protection.
2) Students contacting parents need to be consistent.
Students will ask teachers before they contact parents when they are ill, upset or require something. Teachers will assist students in contacting home through the classroom/office phone.
* Please make a plan with your child or the child’s teacher to discuss the steps if they will need to reach you at home or vice versa.
We understand the convenience of cell phones to reach home/school, but the abundance of demands and class disturbances most certainly cuts into valuable instruction time. We sincerely appreciate our HT families' cooperation with this need for consistency in this area.
3) We take Digital Citizenship seriously. “Doing the right thing online” is expected.
Any device should be used responsibly in our building. At the beginning of the year, all students were asked to complete an agreement (form) which applies to the appropriate use of personal devices at school.
Privacy is to be protected for all of our students. No personal devices are to be brought into washrooms or changerooms - this is an automatic suspension. No photos or recordings will be created or shared at any time without prior consent from the individuals involved.