Conway Public School District Phone-Free Space
CPSD will be implementing in our 4 middle school campuses a phone-free space to improve teaching and learning using a program called Yondr. Yondr has been implemented in thousands of schools across 27 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment.
We believe that phones have great utility. We have also found that learning and student mental health improve drastically when students are fully present with their teachers and classmates.
The Yondr Program utilizes a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone. Every student will secure their phone 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.
In an annual survey of over 1,200 of schools that implemented the Yondr Program:
86% saw a positive impact in student safety and wellness
84% saw a positive change in student engagement
72% saw a positive change in student behavior
68% saw a positive change in academic performance
District Message Video
Procedures and Policy Video
Yondr Video
Full YONDR Student Phone Policy and Guidelines for
Carl Stuart Middle School, Courtway Middle School, Ruth Doyle Middle School, and Simon Middle School
5th - 7th Grades - Procedures for Policy 4.47
Possession and Use of Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices
To promote the best possible learning and social environment in Conway School District Middle Schools students will not be allowed to use their cell phones, airpods, or smart watches during the school day. In November, every student will be assigned a personal Yondr Pouch to store their personal devices in. Devices are to be stored in the Yondr pouch whether the device is working or not. Students are expected to bring their Yondr pouch every day and return it in good shape at the end of the year.
Process for Pouch Use
Start of School Day:
Before entering the building, turn off your phone/smartwatch/AirPods.
Upon entering, place your phone/AirPods/smartwatch into your Yondr Pouch, whether the device is working or not.
Once your phone/airpods/smartwatch are inside the pouch, securely close it using the locking button, then store it in your backpack.
You are responsible for arriving to class on time with a securely locked pouch.
During the School Day:
Keep your cell phone/airpods/smartwatch inside your Yondr Pouch for the entire school day.
If you need to leave campus for an appointment, unlock your pouch in the main office before leaving. Upon re-entry, you must relock your pouch in the main office.
You may not access your cell phone/airpods/smartwatch during the school day anywhere on campus.
End of School Day:
At the end of the school day, unlock your pouch using an unlocking base stationed at exit doors.
Remove your phone/airpods/smartwatch from the pouch.
Securely close your empty pouch to lock it and place it in your backpack for the next day. It is your responsibility to keep track of your pouch.
Violations
The following violations will result in the confiscation of the student's cell phone/airpods/smartwatch and/or Yondr Pouch by school staff:
Tampering with the Pouch: Any physical damage to the pouch intended to bypass its purpose (e.g., inappropriate markings, holes, bent pin, stripped lock, use of a non-authorized magnet to open the pouch, etc.) will be treated as a violation. Refer to the Student Handbook for actions related to theft or similar offenses.
Repeated Loss or Forgetfulness: Continuously losing or forgetting your pouch will result in disciplinary action.
Damaging or Taking Another's Pouch: Damaging or taking someone else’s Yondr Pouch is a violation.
Unauthorized Phone Use: Using a phone anywhere on campus during school hours is prohibited.
Consequences for the violations listed above will be issued under policies 4.18, 4.47, and 4.30.
Please see the CPSD Yondr Student Phone Policy for the full Policy and consequences.
Helpful Links:
Student Survey
We will also be participating in a survey of students as part of a program supported by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Office of Education Policy. This survey aims to gather valuable insights into the effectiveness of our new policies and the overall school experience. Consent forms will be sent home soon, so please return them to your student's third period teacher by November 8, 2024.
Let’s work together to enhance our students’ educational experience!
