BHS Yondr – Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Yondr pouch?
The Yondr pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual's mobile device or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a special locking device.
How does it work?
Why is the school introducing Yondr pouches?
The junior/senior high school is seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, mental health and well-being.
How will students receive a Yondr pouch?
In September, all students in grades 7-12 will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phone, smartwatch, and/or earbuds. 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 and for bringing the pouch to and from school each day.
How will the process work at arrival and dismissal?
Upon the first bell, students will turn off their phone, place the phone inside of the Yondr pouch, and lock it. The pouch will be unlocked at the end of the school day when exiting door 1, door 3, or in the high school office.
Will my student's phone be safe?
Students are in possession of their phone – in their Yondr pouch – for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their backpacks and lockers where it is completely safe.
What if a student needs to leave the building before dismissal?
If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, athletic event, or school-sponsored trip, students will be able to unlock their pouches in the high school office prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the building.
What if a parent/guardian wants to reach their child during the school day?
We want our students to be engaged in their learning, but we understand that emergencies will occur. If you need to contact your child during the school day, call the high school office at 218-835-5210. There are phones in every classroom and office in the school. In addition, all students have access to their Chromebooks throughout the day. Parents can email their students directly in addition to calling the school.
What if there is a school emergency?
Every location in the school is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. Our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. We will direct students to safety first. Students and staff follow our school's emergency preparedness protocols. Communication with parents will occur through the district's mass notification and communication tools.
During lockdowns, students and staff are instructed to be silent. The response action guidelines outlined in the building-level safety plan will be followed with community notification for all emergency situations.
What if the Yondr pouch gets damaged or a student is caught using their phone?
The Yondr pouch is the property of the school. If a student damages their pouch or is caught on their phone, they will be subject to disciplinary action. An administrator will collect the phone/pouch and call home.
What happens if a student doesn't have their Yondr pouch?
The phone may be turned over to the high school office and secured in the school until the end of the school day, or parents can be contacted to come to school and pick the phone up.
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 an alternate Yondr pouch which has immediate access.
Why can’t the school just implement a zero-tolerance policy and allow students to keep their phones put away?
Students have demonstrated time and time again that they will not comply with simply putting their phones away. Enforcement of this becomes a burden of the classroom teachers when students do not comply and valuable instructional time is lost.
Requiring students to lock their phones away seems like a punishment for high school students. Is this the case?
The introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure. The intention of Yondr is three-fold:
Will students still be able to listen to music?
Students will be able to use headphones with cords to connect to their Chromebooks. All Bluetooth devices, including AirPods, smartwatches, and other headphones, must be stored in the Yondr pouch.
What happens if a student forgets to unlock their pouch before leaving the building?
The school has many after-school programs and athletic events. If the building is still open and staff is available, students can return to unlock their pouch.
Do the Yondr Pouches block cell signals or the internet?
The Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet. Students are expected to turn their devices off before putting them in their Yondr pouch.
Will the elementary school be using Yondr pouches?
No, cell phones or personal devices are not allowed at the elementary school. They must be kept at home, in a locker, or in a backpack throughout the instructional day.
What if I have additional questions?
These BHS Yondr FAQs will be updated as the implementation begins. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly. Call 218-835-5210 or email the building principal, Kelly Stultz.
The Yondr pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual's mobile device or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a special locking device.
How does it work?
- At the 1st bell, students place their phone, smartwatch, and earbuds in their assigned Yondr pouch.
- Students close and secure their Yondr pouch to keep it with them throughout the day.
- When leaving school, students tap their Yondr pouch on a base unit to unlock it and retrieve their phone.
Why is the school introducing Yondr pouches?
The junior/senior high school is seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, mental health and well-being.
How will students receive a Yondr pouch?
In September, all students in grades 7-12 will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phone, smartwatch, and/or earbuds. 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 and for bringing the pouch to and from school each day.
How will the process work at arrival and dismissal?
Upon the first bell, students will turn off their phone, place the phone inside of the Yondr pouch, and lock it. The pouch will be unlocked at the end of the school day when exiting door 1, door 3, or in the high school office.
Will my student's phone be safe?
Students are in possession of their phone – in their Yondr pouch – for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their backpacks and lockers where it is completely safe.
What if a student needs to leave the building before dismissal?
If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, athletic event, or school-sponsored trip, students will be able to unlock their pouches in the high school office prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the building.
What if a parent/guardian wants to reach their child during the school day?
We want our students to be engaged in their learning, but we understand that emergencies will occur. If you need to contact your child during the school day, call the high school office at 218-835-5210. There are phones in every classroom and office in the school. In addition, all students have access to their Chromebooks throughout the day. Parents can email their students directly in addition to calling the school.
What if there is a school emergency?
Every location in the school is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. Our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. We will direct students to safety first. Students and staff follow our school's emergency preparedness protocols. Communication with parents will occur through the district's mass notification and communication tools.
During lockdowns, students and staff are instructed to be silent. The response action guidelines outlined in the building-level safety plan will be followed with community notification for all emergency situations.
What if the Yondr pouch gets damaged or a student is caught using their phone?
The Yondr pouch is the property of the school. If a student damages their pouch or is caught on their phone, they will be subject to disciplinary action. An administrator will collect the phone/pouch and call home.
- 1st offense: ticket and phone taken for the day
- 2nd offense: ticket, phone taken, and parent must pick up
- 3rd offense: ticket, phone taken, parent must pick up and conference with Administration
- Refusal to hand in cell phone upon request may result in dismissal
What happens if a student doesn't have their Yondr pouch?
The phone may be turned over to the high school office and secured in the school until the end of the school day, or parents can be contacted to come to school and pick the phone up.
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 an alternate Yondr pouch which has immediate access.
Why can’t the school just implement a zero-tolerance policy and allow students to keep their phones put away?
Students have demonstrated time and time again that they will not comply with simply putting their phones away. Enforcement of this becomes a burden of the classroom teachers when students do not comply and valuable instructional time is lost.
Requiring students to lock their phones away seems like a punishment for high school students. Is this the case?
The introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure. The intention of Yondr is three-fold:
- to create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices;
- 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
- to increase meaningful face-to-face connections between students.
Will students still be able to listen to music?
Students will be able to use headphones with cords to connect to their Chromebooks. All Bluetooth devices, including AirPods, smartwatches, and other headphones, must be stored in the Yondr pouch.
What happens if a student forgets to unlock their pouch before leaving the building?
The school has many after-school programs and athletic events. If the building is still open and staff is available, students can return to unlock their pouch.
Do the Yondr Pouches block cell signals or the internet?
The Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet. Students are expected to turn their devices off before putting them in their Yondr pouch.
Will the elementary school be using Yondr pouches?
No, cell phones or personal devices are not allowed at the elementary school. They must be kept at home, in a locker, or in a backpack throughout the instructional day.
What if I have additional questions?
These BHS Yondr FAQs will be updated as the implementation begins. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly. Call 218-835-5210 or email the building principal, Kelly Stultz.
