Cell Phone-Free Middle Schools

District teams with Yondr to help curb cell phone use at middle schools
Yondr to support WWPS existing policy of a cell phone-free environment at both middle schools next year

The mission of Walla Walla Public Schools rests on ensuring a safe and orderly educational environment where every student achieves ambitious levels of learning through relevant and rigorous educational experiences. Cell phone distractions and access by students during the school day conflicts with this mission. As a result, the district has chosen to partner with Yondr to support its existing policy of a cell phone-free environment at both middle schools next year.

Beginning in August 2024, students at Pioneer and Garrison Middle Schools in grades 6-8 will be required to place all personal electronic devices, including phones, smartwatches, and earbuds, in a district-provided Yondr pouch that is kept sealed during the school day with a magnetized locking device.

The Yondr pouch, which is used in an increasing number of schools across the country, has a magnetic lock that can only be opened using a special unlocking device. Each student will be assigned a Yondr pouch at the beginning of the school year. Students will be in possession of their devices in their locked Yondr pouches throughout the day.

When students enter the school in the morning, they will turn off their devices and place them in their individual Yondr pouch. The pouch then locks and students can keep it with them all day. At the end of the school day, students are able to unlock the pouch at one of several locations within the building.

Students with documented medical issues, for example those who use their phones to monitor blood sugar, would be provided with a pouch that secures only with Velcro, rather than a magnetic lock, to allow for instant access to their phone.

“After an extensive period researching Yondr pouches, we feel strongly that their use at the middle schools this fall will lead to increased student engagement, decreased behavioral incidents, and improved academic outcomes,” said Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith. “We have been looking for an effective solution to cell phone distractions in the academic environment. We believe the Yondr pouches will eliminate those distractions and improve peer-to-peer relationships and the well-being of our students.”

Additional information will be shared with students, staff and parents over the summer and in the first several days of the 2024-25 school year as implementation of Yondr pouches begins at both middle schools.

Yondr pouches will only be implemented at the middle schools to start the 2024-2025 school year. The district will consider extending Yondr to its high school campuses after it reviews middle school results and consults with students, families and faculty. Cell phones and personal devices are currently not allowed to be used by students during the day at the elementary schools and must be stored in backpacks.

More information can be found in the WWPS Yondr Frequently Asked Questions webpage