CELL PHONE POLICY

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

We are writing to inform you of the new cell phone policies that will be implemented in our schools during instructional time. These policies are designed to create a more focused and productive learning environment for all students. We understand that cell phones have become an integral part of our daily lives, but we also recognize the potential distractions they can cause. Our primary goal is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to focus on their studies and engage fully in their classes.

We strongly discourage students at OPK (Grades 1-6) from bringing cell phones to school. However, if a student does bring a cell phone, they must check it in with their homeroom teacher at the beginning of the day. The phone will be kept in a secure location and can be checked out at the end of the day.

Students at Golden Eagle High School (Grades 7-12) will be issued lockers with locks. They are expected to store their cell phones (turned on silent mode) in their lockers at the beginning of the day. Student cell phone use is permitted only during the lunch break. 

Students who are found with cell phones during class will be asked to give them to the teacher for safekeeping until the end of the class. At that time, they will have the opportunity to return the phone to their locker. Subsequent infractions will result in the student turning in their phone to the office for safekeeping until a parent or caregiver can discuss the matter with the administration and retrieve the phone.

We believe it is essential for students to learn how to use technology responsibly, and for Grades 4 and up, we issue them a school Google account and access to a Chromebook for instructional use in class. We limit the use of social media on our school networks for students; however, if students find a way to circumvent our firewalls, they are reminded of the acceptable use policy and steered back into classroom work—subsequent infractions may result in more limited use of technology in class.

These policies will help create a more focused and productive learning environment for all students. We appreciate your cooperation and support in implementing these changes. Your partnership is crucial in ensuring the success of these policies.

If you have a message that needs to be urgently passed on to your child, you are asked to call the school office to relay the message. Please use this method only for urgent notices.

To STAY IN TOUCH with school notifications, please sign up for our REMIND texting system - we will use this, our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/Bigstone.OPK) and our website (www.bigstoneeducation.ca) 

There are two ways to sign up to REMIND

DIRECT TEXT the word @oskipa to the number (705) 230-3078

Or click the following link https://www.remind.com/join/oskipa

Either method will add you to our GENERAL announcements for bussing and school-related events. Your child’s teacher will provide you with a link to their CLASS REMIND for classroom-specific announcements later this month.

Please reach out to your administrative team if you have any questions. 

Sincerely,

OPK Administration 

School Reception 780 891 3830

Ramona Badger, Principal / Laura Houle, VP

OKK Administration

School Reception 780 891 2727
Charity Alook, Principal / Christine Gullion, VP

The majority of our students ride a school bus to and from school each day. We service a large geographic region and now have many routes! Please be patient with us as we continue to refine the routes to ensure that students make it to class on time. As K5 students begin to take the bus now this week we have more young students taking the bus, some for the first time. Please review the following ROUTE LIST and stay tuned to this spot for all transportation updates.