Mobile Phone Policy

Forberedelsesskolen aims – in cooperation with parents, pupils and staff – to create an environment where mobile phones and digital media are seen as natural communication tools in the pupils’ daily life. We promote the formation of a good, sensible and up-to-date mobile phone culture, where we look positively and appreciatively at the use of mobile phones and the opportunities these provide.

 

Furthermore the purpose of this policy is to help pupils take time-outs from external impulses, in order to strengthen the learning environment.

 

Forberedelsesskolen has therefore a clear and well-established set of mobile phone and internet ethics, and a set of rules for the use of mobile phones, tablets, etc. during lessons and break-times.

 

Our aim with this mobile phone policy is to avoid the mobile phone from becoming an object of negative influence on the pupil’s social development, and at the same time not to underestimate the social function of mobile phones in today’s youth culture.

 

Digital Education

 

In connection with the use of mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets and other digital media, the following applies in Forberedelsesskolen:

 

– That we will promote the creation of a good, sensible and modern mobile phone culture, by continuously focusing on the use of digital resources and ethics in the teaching of all age groups

– That mobile phones can be incorporated and used as an effective learning tool

– That we give pupils a digital education where – as a natural part of the teaching – we work with behaviour, digital footprints, source criticism, etc.

 

Rules for Mobile Phones and Digital Media

 

0th to 2nd grade:

 

Use of mobile phones, iPads and the like, are not permitted during school hours. This applies to lessons, break-times and post-school care & leisure activities. If a student has a special reason for bringing their mobile phone with them, it must be switched off and put in their bag.

 

3rd to 7th grade:

 

Use of mobile phones, iPads and the like, are not permitted during school hours. Each class has a box for mobile phones. Mobile phones must be switched off and handed in at the beginning of the school day, and will be returned at the end of the school day.

 

If the pupil attends post-school care & leisure activities, the same rules as 0th to 2nd grade apply.

 

Mobile phones may be used if teaching requires it.

 

8th to 10th grade:

 

Use of mobile phones, iPads and the like, are not permitted during lessons, joint reading or  the joint morning songs. Each class has a box for mobile phones. Mobile phones must be switched off and handed in at the beginning of the lesson, and will be returned at the end of the lesson. However we recommend that pupils have them switched off during break-times as well. Teachers can introduce mobile-free breaks at any time.

 

Mobile phones and tablets can be used if teaching requires it.

 

7th to 10th grade:

 

Pupils have access to their own PC/Mac throughout the day, of which they have sole responsibility for.

 

If the Rules are Broken

 

If the rules are not adhered to, the pupil’s mobile phone/smartwatch will be confiscated. They can be collected from the school office or teacher at the end of the school day.

 

A pupil’s unethical use of a mobile phone or other digital media is reported to the pupil’s home by the school leadership.

 

It is the parents’ responsibility if their child brings a mobile phone or other digital media to school. The school’s insurance does not cover accidents or damage.

 

Ethical Rules: Mobile Phones and Digital Media

 

For pupils:

 

– Think about how you use your mobile phone at school.

 

– Do not use derogatory/discriminatory, mocking language about others or towards others. This is bullying.

 

– Do not send threats to others. This is bullying AND a criminal offence.

 

– Do not allow yourself to be photographed/recorded if you aren’t absolutely sure what the image/film will be used for.

 

– An individual’s use of a mobile phone at school must be well-founded and known to those around them.

 

– A person who appears in an image can always demand that the image be deleted.

 

– Images with pupils on them may not be posted on the internet, unless the pupil’s parents have given written permission.

 

– Do not use mobile phones to resolve conflicts at school. Always try to resolve conflicts yourself.

 

– Contact a member of staff at the school if necessary. Don’t call your parents.

 

For parents:

 

– It’s important that parents consider when and why their child should bring a mobile phone to school. Our recommendation is that a mobile phone should primarily be of help in relation to transportation to and from the school, which is also indicative of when the child will need a mobile phone the most: when the child has to take the journey to school alone.

 

– If you need to call your child during school hours, you can contact the school office.

 

– The mobile phone is not a necessity in the creation of friendships, even though it may seem this way in today’s society. Sometimes it can actually be a hindrance in relation to being a part of a social gathering.

 

– If your child calls you during school hours about a conflict, the best way to help is to encourage them to resolve the conflict themselves, or to encourage them to contact an adult at school.

 

– Do not resolve a conflict for your child. The staff at the school and post-school care & leisure facilities have the competence to assess the individual situation, and assess if they should participate in remedying it. It can be very difficult as a parent to help in a constructive way, if you have only heard from one party and only over the phone.

 

– Trust that with the help of our professional staff, your child can cope with any problem. The school will always get in contact with you if we feel it is necessary to do so.