Cell Phone Pouch Operations

On December 9, our school will begin to use a new tool called Yondr. It’s important to all of us here at Houck that each and every member of our school community understands not only how we will use these in our school but also why we believe this will be a positive addition to our school culture. 
 

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About Cell Phone Pouches at Houck

As students come into the building, students will secure their phones, earbuds, and smartwatches in individual pouches. The pouch will remain with students and stay locked throughout the school day.
Before students enter school, they turn off their phone and place it in their Yondr pouches.
Once inside, students will lock their own cases. Students keep their locked pouches with them in their backpack throughout the day.
At the end of the school day, students tap the pouch on an unlocking base.

Learn more about our school’s use of Yondr pouches

Daily Operations

Yondr pouches are a tool used by our school to help students set boundaries and have shared accountability for creating learning spaces where we all can feel safe, welcome and ultimately, thrive.

Distribution

• All students receive their own individual Yondr pouch. These pouches will be checked out to students, just like many other school-related resources such as library books or chromebooks. All students will be expected to put their phones, earbuds, and smart watches into their labeled pouch and lock it shut each day as they enter the school.
• Students will keep their pouch with them in their backpacks.
• Students are responsible for the care and use of their pouches, just like all other school-distributed materials.
• Families will be held responsible and be charged a fee for damaged/lost pouches.
• While not at school, it is recommended for students to keep their pouch locked to prevent damage.   

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

Throughout the day, we will have a set of expectations that students will be personally responsible for following. This is part of our efforts to use this new tool not only to provide additional focus in our learning spaces, but also support our students with setting boundaries and having shared accountability for our school expectations. 

Arrival Expectations

• As students enter our school each day, we will have several staff members greeting students and assisting students in unlocking their pouches, as needed. 
• Students will be asked to turn their phone off, silence it (including vibration) or place it on airplane mode. Students can then slide their phone, earbuds and smart watch into the pouch. 
• The goal is to include any items that receive notifications to support in our efforts to limit student distraction. 
• Students can then close the top of the pouch and press the green push-pin button to securely lock the pouch for the day.
• No phone today? Students will simply be asked to lock their pouch and put it in their backpacks.
• Phones found outside of the pouch throughout the day may be collected and held in the behavior office. A parent/guardian will then be required to come to pick it up.

Dismissal Expectations

• There will be several unlocking stations at the exit doors of the school.
• When students need to unlock their pouch, they will need to exit through doors that are at the front of the building or in the commons area. 
• Students will tap the side with the green circular ring to the unlocking base.
• As they tap the pouch on the base and push the button, the lock will release and they will be able to retrieve their phone and close the pouch back up.
• Students will then keep their pouch with them for the following school day.
• It is recommended that students lock the pouch when it is empty to prevent damage. 
• After-school activity? Students should unlock their pouch before going to their club or activity.

Our goal is that this can be a positive experience for us all so reach out to our team if you have any questions or concerns.