YONDR Pouches

As detailed in this presentation, the decision was reached after analyzing student and staff data as part of a statewide conversation about the negative impact of student cell phone use on our students and our school. In short, the decision was driven by four main motivations: to increase student safety in the building; to improve learning and instruction; to combat the negative social and emotional effects of cell phone use by teenagers; and to improve the school culture and climate.

We firmly believe that students should learn how to responsibly govern the use of their cell phones, especially since cell phones will be a part of their lives after high school. However, we believe that the Yondr pouches will assist students in this process. Much like newly-licensed drivers are given increased restrictions on their driving (time and passenger limitations) when they begin driving, the Yondr pouches will give students the opportunity to break free from their phones while at school and build a lifelong, healthier relationship with this profoundly powerful technology before becoming adults.

The Yondr pouches will be distributed to students during the first week of school in their AVP period. Students will be provided directions on how to lock and unlock their pouch and the location of the magnetic unlocking bases around the building. The Yondr pouches and students' expectations for using them will also be explained during their opening week class meetings in the auditorium.

This is yet to be determined.  We are hopeful that if students take care of their Yondr pouch, they should last for the entirety of their high school career.  

Neither the Yondr pouch nor the magnetic base will cause damage to the phone. Yondr’s patented magnetic bases are 100% safe for phones. However, according to Yondr there have been instances where students have tried to use non-Yondr magnets that they have purchased online to open their pouches instead of the Yondr magnetic bases, which have caused damage to phones.

There is a formal process for students that have a medical reason to access their phone during the course of the school day. For example, diabetic students sometimes use their phone to check their blood sugar during the school day. In medical situations like this, a parent can contact the school nurse to identify the medical issue and provide documentation from a doctor outlining the medical necessity. Once that information is received and verified, Yondr provides a pouch that has a velcro seal instead of the magnetic seal that will allow the student to access their phone for their medical issue during the day and then return their phone to the pouch.

Students can go to the main office and request to use the office phone to call home during the school day. For sensitive information, students may also meet with their school counselor to call home in a more private setting.

Parents can call the main office at Ferguson (937-429-7533) or the High School (937-429-7547) to have a message delivered to their student.

Students will follow the standard procedure of having a teacher send them to the clinic from class. Once at the clinic, the school nurse will contact the parent and arrange for a dismissal if necessary.

Students will be given directions to evacuate to their assigned meeting location. Once students are safe at the location, administrators have hand-held bases as part of their evacuation supplies and will use those bases to open Yondr pouches.

Students will sign out in the attendance office for their appointment and will be able to unlock their pouch in the main office on their way out of the building.

Students will be able to unlock their Yondr pouch upon their exit using magnetic bases available at assigned exits.

Each student has the option of not bringing their phone into the school. However, school policy creates the expectation that if students bring their phone into the building that it will be securely locked in their Yondr pouch.

Coaches and advisors will be communicating with students and parents through Parent Square starting this year. Students will be able to log into Student Square (the student version of Parent Square) on their Chromebooks to access any messages or information from their coach or advisor. Messages will also be available in students’ school email accounts.

1st Offense: Student pick up of phone in main office & Saturday School assigned

2nd Offense: Parent pick up of phone in main office & 2 days of ISS assigned

3rd Offense: Parent pick up of phone in main office & OSS assigned

Students will still have their Chromebooks to use during the school day. Students will be able to access Google Classroom, Student Square, their calendar, and other productivity tools on their Chromebook.  Cell phones will not be used for academic purposes during the school day.

Students should focus solely on the teacher’s directions during the time of the emergency. Once the emergency is clear, communication will be provided by the district once it is safe to do so. Campus emergency team members will have access to magnets if there is a need to unlock Yondr pouches.

No. Students will have their Yondr pouches in their possession while at school.

Not at this time. Smartwatches do not have the same capabilities of cell phones and do not present as much of a concern within the building.

If you still have questions, please get in touch with your student's building.

Beavercreek High School: 937.429.7547

Ferguson Hall: 937.429.7533