Parent/Student informational meetings will be held prior to implementing Yondr Pouches
Yondr
The Texarkana Arkansas School District aims to maximize every student’s opportunity to learn and build positive relationships at school. The 2024-2025 school year will be a cell phone-free learning environment at the middle and high school level. As we know, cell phones can be incredibly useful tools, providing access to information and connectivity. However, they also pose significant challenges, particularly when it comes to the well-being of our students. Excessive phone use, or “phone addiction,” is a real concern, affecting concentration, social interactions, and overall academic performance. Recognizing these challenges, Texarkana Arkansas School District has been exploring various methods to mitigate cellphone use among students during school hours. Despite our efforts, we understand that overcoming addiction-like behaviors associated with phones is complex. Simply instructing students to refrain from using their devices isn't always effective when the temptation is ever-present.
With a commitment to enhancing the learning environment and fostering healthier social behaviors, TASD is launching a pilot program at Arkansas Middle and Arkansas High Schools. This initiative involves implementing a phone-free policy using the Yondr system. Yondr utilizes technology to securely store students' phones during the school day, ensuring they remain inaccessible until the end of the school day.
The Yondr system uses a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone and other small electronic devices, such as smart watches and earbuds. Every student will secure their phone (turned off or in airplane mode) in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school. Students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day. Students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times.