Phone Free Schools Proposed Policy

Yondr is a company teaming up with schools, performing arts venues and other groups to support phone and device free environments.

The Yondr pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual’s cell phone or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a magnetic locking device similar to theft protection tags found in clothing stores.

Velcro instead of the magnetic locking pouches are used by students who need access to their devices for medical or other previously approved reasons.

• As students enter school they will put their cell phone in Do Not Disturb mode and then place their cell phone, smartwatch, and AirPods/EarBuds in their assigned Yondr pouch.
• Students close and secure their Yondr pouch and put it in their backpack or bag to keep it with them throughout the school day.
• When leaving school, students tap their Yondr pouch on a base unit to unlock it and remove their devices from the pouch until the next day.
• Students keep the pouches with them whether at school or not.

• Wenatchee High School is the only school at this time that will use Yondr as part of the proposed policy.

No. Cell phones, AirPods/EarBuds, and smartwatches are not allowed at to be used at middle and elementary schools; they must be kept at home, in a locker, or backpack during the instructional day. These schools already have effective phone free practices in place.

• Do Not Disturb mode allows the device to continue receiving messages without notifying the user with any vibrations or sounds.
• Do Not Disturb mode allows parents/guardians and others who use Find My Phone, Life 360, or other apps to monitor the location of their child.
• Airplane mode restricts this option.
• Silent mode, unless changed in settings, will continue to vibrate. These vibrations are distracting and can be anxiety provoking for the user to be aware of new messages throughout the day without being able to access them.

• WSD is seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, mental health, and well-being.
• The pouches physically restrict access, but more importantly they serve as a symbolic decision that we will make each day to set aside personal devices in favor of active participation in school socially and academically.

• At WHS device check out before school starts in August there will be Yondr pouches and pouch unlocking mechanisms for students and parents to check out and test.

• In August, all WHS students will be assigned a Yondr pouch. Students are responsible for the Yondr pouch at all times and for bringing the pouch to and from school each day. Students at our middle schools will continue to comply with the policy in place there. 
• During Device Check Out before school starts in August, WHS students will receive a Yondr pouch. If unable to attend, students will receive it the first day of school.

• Upon entering school, students will turn off their cell phone, or place it in Do Not Disturb mode, put it inside the Yondr pouch and lock it. Students will keep their Yondr pouch in their backpack.
• The pouch will be unlocked at the end of the school day in designated areas.

• Students are in possession of their phone – in their Yondr pouch – for the entire school day. Students should store the pouch in their backpacks where it is completely safe.

• Each student will be charged a Yondr pouch fee (cost TBD). 
• Students who receive financial assistance will have their fee waived.
• Students who have a medical or other need requiring a velcro pouch will be given one, and their fee will be waived.
• There will be a replacement cost for for lost or damaged pouches (cost TBD). Students needing a replacement go to the main office.
• New students enrolling during the year will purchase their pouch during registration.

• Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet. Students are expected to turn their devices off or put them in Do Not Disturb mode before putting them in their pouches.

Pending Board approval on June 24, 2025, the WSD Phone Free Schools policy will go into effect on the first day of school for the 2025-26 school year.

• Yondr pouches with a velcro opening will be available for students on a Health Plan that require access to a phone to monitor a medical condition. This provides access when needed and ensures they are not excluded from having a Yondr pouch. The phone must be put back in the pouch and backpack after use.
• The fee for this pouch is waived.

• Students will be able to receive emails on their district email account from family members and check email on school issued Chromebooks. 
• Families can call or email the front office and ask for a note to be delivered to the student.
• Offices have phones students can use to contact a parent.
• Messages can be sent to students' phones which they will receive after school ends.

• Yes. Cell signals and internet access are not blocked by a Yondr pouch.
• Students should put their phone in Do Not Disturb mode before putting it in the pouch.
• If the phone is turned off, location tracking apps will not work.

• Students will be able to use corded headphones to connect with their school supplied Chromebooks to listen to music within specified times within the classroom.

• When it is safe, students will have access to their devices by unlocking or cutting open their pouch.
• Staff will have access to their personal cell phones.
• Each classroom and office has a phone for external calls.
• The district will communicate with families using various methods (email, text, social media, website, robocalls) to provide accurate information and details about student safety and reunification.

• Students will be able to more clearly focus on instructions from school administrators and first responders during an emergency situation.
• This keeps students from messaging locations or other information that could compromise safety.
• It allows the district to communicate accurate information to families regarding a situation, reunification, and other announcements.

• The district has worked to ensure students can thrive without cell phones. Review the FAQ for medical exceptions. If questions remain, contact the WHS principal.

You can provide your feedback using our online form or attend the in-person feedback session on May 20 at 6:00 PM at the District Office. If the board approves the recommendation, you can contact the WHS principal. If the concern is not resolved, it can be brought to the district office and superintendent.

Personal laptops, tablets, or other personal electronic devices are not prohibited at school. Students are issued district Chromebooks for learning.

The WSD Phone Free School proposed policy applies to cell phones and smartwatches. The intention is to make each school cell phone and smartwatch free.

Schools will meet with families and students to determine if a situation warrants deviating from the policy, but this will be an exception, not a norm.

High school students have demonstrated they will not comply with simply putting phones away. Enforcement becomes a burden for teachers, and valuable instructional time is lost.

• No. Cell phones, AirPods/EarBuds, and smartwatches are not allowed at to be used at middle and elementary schools; they must be kept at home, in a locker, or backpack during the instructional day.
• These schools already have effective phone free practices in place.

• A Yondr pouch is a one-time purchase unless damaged or lost. Students keep their pouch through graduation.

• Students can go to the main office and request to use a phone.
• Students can email their parents from their district accounts on their district-issued Chromebooks.

• Before entering school, all cell phones, smartwatches, and AirPods/EarBuds should be placed in the pouch and locked, and then put in your backpack.

• Students should either power off or place their cell phone in Do Not Disturb Mode before placing items in the pouch. Not doing so can be anxiety provoking due to vibrations or sounds.

• Students can open the pouch using the magnetic unlocking mechanism on the way out of the building at the end of the school day.

• Students who leave campus during their off period may use a designated unlocking mechanism.
• Students who remain on campus will not be able to open their pouch.

• The goal is a school atmosphere free from distraction, which is considered important during lunch and passing times as well as class. The aim is for students to engage with people around them and interact without technology.
• Unlocking during lunch or passing times could lead to phone use in halls and classes, taking time away from instruction for enforcement. It also creates inequity as not all students are in the commons/lunch area at the same time.

Consequences have been developed.

• First offense: Devices turned over to staff, put in a pouch, and returned at the end of the day. Family contacted, restorative conversation held with student.
• Second offense: Devices turned over to staff, put in a pouch, and sent to the main office for secure storage. Pouch only returned to a parent or guardian, who will be notified to pick up the devices. Another restorative conversation held, possibly with a parent. Office staff will not wait after school for parent pick up.
• Further offenses: Handled on a case-by-case basis, potentially including bag searches, community service, detention, or suspension.

Yes. Device use on buses will be monitored.

If the building is still open due to afterschool programs or events, students can return to unlock their pouch. If the building is locked, students will have to wait until the next day.

• If a student forgets their pouch, it is their responsibility to keep their phone in their backpack or bag either on Do Not Disturb Mode or turned off. Loaner pouches will not be given out.
• Consequences for having a device outside of a pouch still apply.

• Students with questions should contact a WHS principal.

• WSD Phone-Free Schools policy is being recommended to the board for approval to foster desired learning environments and promote healthy social and emotional development.
• The decision is rooted in data, including the Healthy Youth Survey results showing increasing problematic social media and internet use among students. It also aligns with Wenatchee School District's commitment to fostering a thriving environment, critical thinking, creative problem solving, inclusive settings, safety, and supportive and challenging opportunities.
• Limiting distractions aims to improve student engagement, mental health, and well-being.

• All staff at in the district are responsible for enforcing WSD Phone-Free Schools.
• At WHS staff are highly encouraged to put their cell phones in an alternate Yondr pouch during class time and not access them when students are present, modeling the expected behavior for students.

• All WHS teachers and staff will receive an alternate Yondr pouch.
• Staff will not be required to put their cell phones in a pouch. However, staff are highly encouraged to put phones in the alternate pouch during class time and avoid accessing them when students are present to model appropriate behavior.

• All school staff are responsible for enforcing WSD Phone-Free Schools.

• Principals will conduct random phone/pouch checks to ensure compliance. This includes all school checks during randomly selected periods.