Students and parents in School District 6 (SD6) can expect some changes as the new school year begins in September, particularly regarding cell phone use and bus registration.

Following Premier Eby’s announcement on January 26 that the province would work with school districts to ensure restrictions on cell phone use are in place by September 2024, the Rocky Mountain School District will implement its revised policy and align with the new legislation.

The changes are outlined in the school district’s Student Code of Conduct Policy 5800 and are intended to “minimize distractions in the classroom and help keep students safe,” according to a press release from SD6. Schools will limit the use of personal digital devices, including cell phones and smart watches, during school hours.

Under the new guidelines, students will only be allowed to use their personal digital devices during class with a teacher’s permission. They will be allowed to use smartphones as learning aids, but the emphasis will remain on uninterrupted learning time.

SD6 said the way these policies are enforced varies from school to school and reflects the different context of students in the community where the school is located.

For example, younger students in kindergarten and elementary school age do not tend to bring personal devices to school. However, students in grades 8-12, who rely more heavily on their devices for communication, may face more specific restrictions during class.

Students remain responsible for keeping their personal devices safe. SD6 advises students to leave mobile phones at home or lock them in their lockers in the first place. Schools will provide digital devices such as iPads and laptops to support learning where needed.

These changes will take effect immediately and each school will adjust its expectations in September and then communicate them to students, parents and guardians.

Another change coming this fall is the launch of BusPlanner, a new online bus platform designed to simplify bus registration and improve communication with families throughout the school year. According to SD6, this new system will represent a “significant step forward in providing students with a more responsive and efficient transportation service.”

“This new system is designed to make the registration process easier and more efficient for both eligible riders and those requesting free rides,” said Lisa Clifton, operations coordinator for the Rocky Mountain School District.

“In addition to simplifying the registration process, BusPlanner also offers a number of other important benefits, including timely electronic notifications of specific bus delays or even changes to a bus route if it is adjusted during the school year.”

Parents and guardians can now register their children for school transportation by visiting this link: sd6.bc.ca/parent/transportation

Detailed instructions and the registration link can be found under the 2024-2025 Bus Registration District tab. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Clifton at [email protected] or 250-342-9243, ext. 4409.

Parents are asked to complete the registration process by September 7 to ensure accurate scheduling and transportation services for their children.