Our Schools are Phone-Free

We are utilizing a progressive discipline approach. This approach is the same at both Beman Middle School and Middletown High School, as it is outlined in the regulation of the policy. The regulation can be found on our Board’s policy website (accessible here) or the regulation can be directly accessed here.

The regulation outlines the required response for violations one through five; those responses are:

1. First violation: Policy reminder and device must return to the pouch
2. Second violation: Device confiscation, student retrieval after school
3. Third violation: Device confiscation, parent retrieval, and conference
4. Fourth violation: Two days in-school suspension
5. Fifth violation: Two days out-of-school suspension

Students are responsible for the care of their Yondr pouch. Students who damage, deface, or lose their assigned pouch may face after-school detention or possible suspension. Additionally, the replacement cost for a pouch is $30.00. If this fee is not paid, the student will lose privileges, such as attending school dances and field trips.

As is outlined in the regulation, which can be found on our Board’s policy website (accessible here) or the regulation can be directly accessed here, staff monitor students during the morning entry process. During this time, students are required to turn their phones or put them on airplane mode; insert their phones into their pouches, and lock their pouches in the presence of designated staff.

Students already successfully handle textbooks, laptops (at MHS), instruments, and sports uniforms as take-home items. The Yondr pouch is no different - it's school property that students must care for and bring back daily.

Keeping pouches at school would create logistical challenges around storage and daily distribution. By treating Yondr pouches like other school-issued materials, we maintain consistent expectations for student responsibility while maximizing the program's effectiveness.

While this policy only applies to students, administrators, teachers, and staff are encouraged to model responsible cell phone use for students.

Upon entering school, students will turn their phone off or in airplane mode, 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.

Safety, efficiency and effectiveness are top priorities in where we chose to place the unlocking devices. The unlocking devices are located at various entry/exit points throughout the building and will be monitored by school administration and/or staff. 

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 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. 

Unlocking a Yondr pouch is a quick process and should have minimal-to-no impact on dismissal.

For students with early dismissal or after-school commitments, it's straightforward - just stop by the main office before you leave. A staff member will help you unlock your pouch, and you'll need to re-lock it before heading out. We know seniors often have different schedules, and many students stay late for clubs or sports. The main office process is quick and designed to work with your schedule, whether you're leaving early or staying late.

No. Pouches are to remain locked throughout the school day. If a student needs to use a phone for a particular reason, they can visit their grade-level or the main office.

The phone will be turned over to main office staff and secured in the school, safe until the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, students will retrieve their phone by showing their school ID.

Where do students keep their Yondr pouches during the day—in their possession or in a designated classroom area?

The yearly cost of Yondr pouches varies and cannot be predetermined. We will evaluate the condition of all pouches at the end of each school year to determine how many need replacement. This assessment will help us understand the actual cost for the upcoming year based on the number of pouches that remain viable versus those that must be replaced.

No programs are being eliminated or funds reallocated to pay for the Yondr program. The district secured grant funding that covered the initial implementation for the 2024-2025 school year. Since Yondr doesn't have fixed annual fees, we will only need to obtain additional funds for pouch replacements in the future.

The district will use quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of Yondr in improving the student experience. This includes, but is not limited to, school climate survey data, discipline referrals, as well as faculty and staff feedback.

Students who have a documented medical condition and a medical plan that requires a 504 will be provided with a non-locking Yondr pouch that has a velcro seal.

Students with a documented medical condition requiring phone access as part of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Health Plan (IHP) will be allowed to use their personal devices in accordance with the guidelines outlined in their plans.

Students who do not own cellular phones or Bluetooth enabled devices (such as, but not limited to: AirPods, smartwatches, headphones, etc.) do not need to carry a pouch. Their parent/guardian may complete the Non-Cellular/Bluetooth Device Notification Form (accessible here). They will need to return the form to the grade-level or main office of their school and turn in their pouch (if they’ve been issued one).

The introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure.

The intention of Yondr is three-fold:

1. to create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices; 
2. to reduce the negative impacts for ALL students of inappropriate use of devices at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and incidents involving mobile phones that detract from a healthy school climate; and
3. to increase meaningful face-to-face connections between students.

Students will be able to use headphones with cords to connect to their school-issued Chromebooks/laptops. They will be able to use the headphones for classroom work or for listening to music during free periods. All Bluetooth devices, including AirPods, smartwatches, and other headphones, must be stored in the Yondr pouch.

This policy teaches digital responsibility by creating structured boundaries. Students learn to plan ahead - downloading materials they need, communicating with family before school, and focusing on in-person interactions. Like learning to drive, students need guided practice with boundaries before developing independence. They'll experience how their focus and engagement improve without constant phone access.

This approach combines both strategies. The pouches provide clear structure while our teachers actively discuss healthy technology use, digital citizenship, and productivity strategies. Think of it like training wheels - temporary support while building better habits. Students learn firsthand the benefits of being phone-free while developing skills to manage technology responsibly.

Our goal isn't permanent phone restriction - it's helping students develop self-regulation. Students practice focusing without their phones during school hours, then have full access outside of school to practice balanced use. They'll graduate with both practical experience managing phone-free time and tools for healthy technology boundaries in college and careers.

Full district implementation ensures consistent expectations and fair conditions for all students. A small pilot could create inequities between schools and make evaluation difficult. Districts that have successfully implemented Yondr found that partial rollouts often led to confusion and enforcement challenges. The comprehensive approach allows us to provide unified support and measure impact effectively.