We Are A Phone Free School
Students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times. Yondr recently surveyed over 900 school partners to measure the effects of creating phone-free educational environments. These schools achieved notable progress in multiple areas:
- 65% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance
- 74% of schools saw an improvement in student behavior
- 83% of schools saw an improvement in student engagement in the classroom
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What is Yondr?
Yondr creates phone-free spaces for teachers and students. The Yondr system is a simple solution that allows you to maintain possession of your phone at all times.
What is a Phone Free School?
GLCPS is seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, mental health, and well-being. No cell phones, smart watches, cameras, or recording devices are permitted during school hours.
Do students keep their phone/technology?
Yes, they will have their phones and technology in the pouch.
Will the student’s phone be affected by the pouch?
The pouch is a storage device. It will not affect the phone.
What will happen if a student does not place the phone in the pouch? The “no phone in school rule” is like every other school rule. If a student is seen with the phone or technology outside of the pouch, they will be disciplined.
How will students receive a Yondr pouch?
In August 2024, all students in grades 5 - 12 will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phone and/or smartwatch. The pouch is the property of the school and is considered on loan to the student during the school year. Students are responsible for the Yondr pouch at all times; to include bringing the pouch to and from school each day and keeping it in good condition.
Does the student maintain possession of their phone at all times? Yes. Students will maintain possession of their phone and are responsible for it throughout the duration of the school day.
How will the process work at arrival and dismissal? When students arrive at school, they will turn their phone off, place the phone inside of the Yondr pouch, and lock it in front of the designated staff. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the school day at designated locations within the building.
How is the “end of the day” defined? The day ends at 3:15 p.m. for all students. Students who stay after school will place their phones in the pouch while having their snacks in the cafeteria. Students who leave school before the designated time will be able to unlock their pouches as they leave.
How do students unlock their phones at the end of the school day? High school students will unlock their Yondr bag at the school exit as they leave school. Middle school students will have the Yondr bag unlocked outside their homeroom class at the end of day.
What happens if a student doesn’t have their Yondr Pouch? Students who do not have their Yondr Pouch will turn in their phones at the main office at the beginning of the school day. Main office staff will secure them in the phone holder. These students will fill out a phone identifier that will be placed with their phone.
Will my student still be able to listen to music? It is not the general practice at GLCPS to listen to music as students are working. If a student is required to listen to anything on their chromebook, GLCPS will supply corded headphones. All personal Bluetooth devices, including AirPods, smartwatches and other headphones, will not be allowed at school.
What if a student needs to leave the building before regular dismissal? If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, work assignment, athletic event, or other school-sponsored trip, students will be able to unlock their devices at the main office just prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the building by checking into the main office.
What if a parent or guardian needs to reach their child during the school day? We understand that emergencies will occur. Parents may contact the school’s main office to speak with their child if the need arises.
What happens if there is an emergency at school and a student can’t access their phone? GLCPS staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. Students will follow the school’s emergency procedures in the case of an emergency. Schools will communicate with parents through the district’s mass notification and communication tools. All school staff have cell phones and radios. Should an emergency occur, they are trained to implement and execute safety and emergency procedures. Students should follow all staff instructions.
What if a student does not comply or damages the locked case to access their phone? Students who are found with unlocked pouches, cause damage to the pouch, or use an alternate phone will be subject to disciplinary action.
What if a student needs to leave the building before regular dismissal? If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, work assignment, athletic event, or other school-sponsored trip, an administrator will unlock their device at school just prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the building.
If the Yondr pouch is stolen/lost, who is responsible for replacement? Students are responsible for the care of their Yondr pouch. If a student intentionally damages the pouch, they will be responsible for replacement and may face disciplinary consequences. If the pouch is lost, the student is responsible for replacement.
What if a student needs their personal device for a medical issue? Students who have a documented medical condition and who need a personal device for monitoring their condition will be provided with a non-locking Yondr pouch that has a velcro seal.
How will students contact families if there is a lockdown or active shooter situation? GLCPS follows response action guidelines during school lockdown drills which require students and staff to be silent during a lockdown. The response action guidelines include a community notification plan for all emergencies. Parents/guardians of the students areamong the first to be notified in the event of a real school lockdown.
What if a student is in class and needs to call 911? Each room at GLCPS has a working, accessible phone.
Why can’t the school just implement a zero-tolerance policy and allow students to keep their phones put away? The school system already has a no-cell phone use policy in the classroom. However, valuable instruction time is lost as these issues are addressed when students do not comply. This policy will minimize the number of disciplinary referrals as well as consequences that may interrupt student learning.
Is the school punishing students by locking up their phones for the duration of the school day? The introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure. The intention of Yondr is three-fold:
If a student forgets to unlock the pouch before leaving the building, is there a way for students to unlock the pouch – ie an unlocking station outside the school building? There will not be an unlocking station outside the building. If the student forgets to unlock their pouch, they will be able to return to school no later than 4:15PM to unlock it.
Will each teacher be able to unlock the pouches in the event of an active shooter in the building or a lockdown due to swatting? No. Individual teachers will not be able to unlock the pouches.
How many Yondr stations will there be and where will they be located? Staff from Yondr will be visiting the district to determine the most appropriate locations in the school for the unlocking devices. Safety, efficiency and effectiveness will be top priorities in locating the unlocking devices.
Do the Yondr pouches block cell signals or the internet? Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet.
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