Educational Resources - Why “Phone Free”?

…to decrease bullying
…to protect our kids from social media dangers
…to improve academic progress
…to increase mental health
…to make schools safer
…for reasons included in here anxiousgeneration.com

Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for student phone and electronic device management to minimize distractions and promote a focused learning environment.

General Rule

Phones are not to be used during school hours. Students can access the school phones by asking staff members, and if students want to contact their parents, they can come to the main office to be assisted with this.

Yondr Pouch Requirement

Every student is assigned a personal Yondr Pouch.
Every family is responsible for paying one $30 deposit per student for the pouch issued during registration. This deposit will be returned to the parent at the end of the year if the pouch is returned free from damage.
While the Yondr Pouch is school property, each student is responsible for bringing their pouch to school daily and maintaining it in good working condition.

Daily Procedure

Arrival at School:
- Students must turn off or switch their phones to airplane mode.
- Students will unlock their pouch and place their phone and any other electronic devices (e.g. earbuds) inside.
- Students will securely close their Yondr pouch in front of school staff.
- Students will keep their Yondr pouch with them throughout the school day or store it in their backpack.
Dismissal:
- Students will tap their Yondr pouch on a base unit to unlock it and retrieve their phone.
- Students will relock their pouch and place it in their backpack.
Late Arrival/Early Departure: Students arriving late or leaving early will pouch/unpouch their phones in the main office.

Violations and Disciplinary Action

The Yondr pouch is the property of the school.
If a student damages their pouch, is caught using their phone during school hours, or refuses to use the pouch, they will be subject to disciplinary action.
An administrator will collect the phone/pouch and contact the student’s parent or guardian.
Disciplinary actions for violations are as follows:
- 1st Offense: Phone/electronic devices will be placed in the main office for the remainder of the school day. The student may retrieve their phone/electronic devices at the end of the school day. Consequences may include the student being assigned in-school suspension depending on the disruption caused.
- 2nd Offense: Phone/electronic devices will be placed in the main office for the remainder of the school day. The parent/guardian will need to pick up the phone/electronic devices. Consequences may include the student being assigned out-of-school suspension depending on the disruption caused.
- 3rd Offense: The student will receive in-school suspension, and the phone will be turned into the main office during the school day for four weeks.
- Continued Non-Compliance: If a student fails to comply with the policy, the phone must stay at home or be turned into the main office during the school day for the remainder of the school year.

Lost or Damaged Pouches

Any damage to the physical integrity of the pouch, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school, is considered damage.
Examples of damage include:
- Deep scratches on the globe and the green ring around it.
- Intentional pen marks on the inside of the pouch.
- Bent pins.
- Pin and button not fully recessing due to pin damage.
If a pouch is lost or damaged, replacement pouches can be purchased for $30. This charge will be assigned to the student's account.

Forgotten Pouches

If a student forgets their pouch, their phone will be collected and stored in a lock box by the main office staff, and the administration will contact the parent/guardian to remind them of the policy.
The phone will be returned to the student at dismissal.
If a student consistently forgets their pouch, it will be considered lost, and the Lost/Damaged Pouch policy will apply.

Phone Free Middle Schools

Aurora Public Schools Phone Free Middle Schools Policy