By Ezra Kaplan
Published: Aug. 27, 2024 at 9:50 AM PDT
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - As the new school year begins, three Portland schools are testing a novel approach to combat the growing disruptions caused by cell phones in the classroom. The plan? Lock the devices away for the entire school day.
The Yondr Pouch: A New Addition to the Supply List
For students at Grant High School, Cleveland High School, and Beaumont Middle School, there’s a new item to keep track of this year: the Yondr pouch. Upon arrival at school, students must place their phones inside these secure pouches, locking them away until the final bell rings.
Grant High School Principal James McGee explains the initiative: “First thing in the morning, they just put their cell phone in, and at that point they’re locked.” The goal, he says, is to provide students with a “seven-hour respite from the smartphones,” allowing for better engagement in their education.
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A Response to a Growing Problem
This new policy responds to the increasing concern over cell phone distractions in the classroom. A nationwide survey conducted last year found that 72% of high school teachers consider cell phone use a major problem during instruction.
The Yondr program is being introduced as a pilot at these three schools, with the potential for expansion depending on its success. Each student is issued a numbered Yondr pouch, which they are responsible for, much like their textbooks or laptops.
Focusing on Engagement
McGee is optimistic about the potential benefits of the program. “My goal here is for better engagement—better engagement for our students, with their teachers, with their instruction, and, quite frankly, with each other.”
Other school districts are taking note. Earlier this month, the Lake Oswego School District announced a complete ban on cell phones in schools for the coming year. Portland Public Schools is also considering a similar ban for 2025.
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Addressing Concerns
However, the Yondr program is unique in its approach, particularly in how the pouches are secured. “Once they close it, it’s secure, and it only can be unlocked with a mechanism that they’ll have access to at the end of the school day,” McGee explains.
For parents accustomed to being in constant contact with their children, the shift may be challenging. McGee suggests returning to more traditional methods of communication in case of emergencies. “The expectation is to do what we did for many, many, many decades, which is the parent calls the main office, and we get the message to the student as soon as possible.”
Safety concerns have also been raised, particularly in the event of a serious situation like a school shooting. McGee counters that during such emergencies, the last thing students should be doing is using their phones. “What the experts have told us is that students need to be quiet. Everything needs to be put away. Sometimes, the cell phones can get in the way of that.”
He also points out that cell phones can often be the source of distress, not just a tool for communication. “Our kids are in crisis every single day because of the constant use of smartphones,” McGee adds.
Student Opposition
Not all students are on board with the new policy. Noah Brown, a student at one of the participating schools, started a petition on Change.org opposing the initiative, which has gathered over 1,000 signatures.
Brown argues that the underlying issue is not the policy itself, but its enforcement. “I can completely understand where administration is coming from. This is a very frustrating issue for students and for teachers. But ultimately, I think the issue comes down to enforcement rather than what kind of policy is being used.”
He remains skeptical that the Yondr pouches will make a significant difference, noting that “the same students that wanted to use their phones before are going to use their phones. They’re just going to find a way to get around this.”
Investing in Education
Despite the opposition, McGee is confident in the program’s potential. He acknowledges that the investment in Yondr pouches is significant, but he believes it will pay off. “If we’re able to increase engagement and eliminate some of the problematic behaviors that we’ve been able to see, it would be the best money ever spent as a principal.”
As the school year progresses, the effectiveness of this new policy will be closely monitored. While there may be skepticism from some students, McGee has seen strong support from parents, with about 90% in favor of the new approach.
McGee also hopes that keeping cell phones out of schools will help address issues like online bullying, making such problems more visible to adults and providing more opportunities for intervention.
This year promises to be a pivotal one for cell phone policy in Portland schools. As the debate continues, educators and administrators will be watching closely to see how this bold experiment unfolds.
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