Dear GvP School parents and guardians,
This letter serves to inform you of the changes in the sanction for breaking the GvP School’s rule that prohibits phones on the premises, per Monday March 18th, 2024.
Over the last few months, the Gwendoline van Putten School received questions and concerns from parents regarding the legality of our school rule 4:
Students are prohibited from displaying and using the following items on the school grounds and during Physical Education classes: cell phones, headphones, ear buds and portable speakers.
Consequence: The item(s) will be confiscated for a period of two weeks or more depending on the situation.
A limited number of parents went to the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (KPCN) to file a criminal report for theft or embezzlement against the school. Subsequently, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM BES) investigated whether the school has committed criminal offences (theft or embezzlement) by keeping the phones for two weeks and whether they would prosecute the school for this.
The GvP School Board and Management met with the Public Prosecutor on Friday March 15th, 2024, to discuss each other’s roles, responsibilities, and authorities, including the present GvP School policies and rules prohibiting phones.
The Public Prosecutor confirmed that the school is allowed to ban the displaying and using of phones in the classes and on the school premises. He also confirmed that the school is allowed to sanction the breaking of that rule by confiscating the phone. However, the Public Prosecutor deems the period of two weeks unproportionate, which would justify prosecution of the (Management of) GvP School.
The Public Prosecutor decided that the sanction should be 2 days when it’s the student’s first offence, 4 days when it’s the student’s second time, and 7 days when it’s the third time (or more) that the student’s phone is confiscated. A student that refuses to hand over the phone, can be suspended (in accordance with GvP School rule 8).
This means that, effective per Monday March 18th, 2024, school rule 4 will be as follows:
Students are prohibited from displaying and using the following items on the school grounds and during Physical Education classes: cell or smartphones, headphones, ear buds and portable speakers.
Consequence: The item(s) will be confiscated for a period of:
– 2 days when it’s the student’s first time breaking this rule;
– 4 days when it’s the student’s second time; and
– 7 days when it’s the student’s third time (or more) that the student breaks this rule.
Please be aware that students will be requested to always keep their phone (and the other mentioned items) in their backpack; tucking the phone or ear buds away in their uniform pants pockets or under their shirts will not be tolerated any longer. Students who ignore the instructions of, or are rude against, GvP School teachers or staff members will be suspended.
Additionally, teachers will not allow the use of students’ personal phones in their classrooms. When digital tools or social media are needed in the classroom for educational purposes, the GvP School will provide laptops or other devices. Only for the CVQ students, this may include school phones and cameras.
We hope to have informed you sufficiently and thank you for your continued support. We established school rules to provide a safe and secure environment for GvP School students and staff.
Warm regards,
Fleur Lagcher
Principal Gwendoline van Putten School