In a proactive measure to promote academic engagement and in alignment with school districts nationwide, Youngstown City School District (YCSD) will implement the use of Yondr pouches for grades 5-12 for the upcoming school year.
In May 2024, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 250, which requires every school district in Ohio to establish an official policy governing cell phone usage during school hours and seeks to minimize student cell phone use in K-12 schools. YCSD already has a board policy prohibiting electronic device use. However, introducing the pouches strengthens the existing procedures by creating a distraction-free learning environment.
Yondr pouches are designed to temporarily lock away cell phones and Bluetooth devices such as headphones and smartwatches. During school hours, scholars place their phones and any Bluetooth device in the pouch, which stays with their homeroom teacher until the end of the school day.
“Research has shown that cell phone use has negative effects on mental health and student performance,” said YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor. Implementing Yondr pouches will help decrease distractions and increase engagement, which is why we are here; for scholar-centered academic success.”