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Cell Phone Policy

Watonga Public Schools Phone-Free Space

WPS will be implementing 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

Refer to the WPS Yondr Student Phone Policy, along with other helpful resources, for complete information on the policy and related consequences.

 

Cell Phone Use

Students are prohibited from utilizing cell phones and personal electronic devices while on the campus of Watonga Public Schools from bell to bell. Exceptions may be made as follows:

 

1. Emergency use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students during the school day. Emergency use includes situations where immediate communication is needed for safety or urgent personal matters. This includes, but is not limited to:

a. Medical Emergencies – Calling 911 or a parent if a student or someone nearby is having a severe health crisis (e.g., asthma attack, allergic reaction, seizure).; or

b. Natural Disasters – Communicating with law enforcement or family during events like tornados, fires, or other emergencies affecting the school; or

 

2. Use of cell phones or personal electronic devices by students who use them to monitor health issues. This includes, but is not limited to, glucose monitoring which may occur multiple times during the school day; or

 

3. Students with special needs may use cell phones or personal electronic devices during class time or during the school day if their IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan explicitly requires it as assistive technology for medically necessary purposes. To qualify for this exception, the use must be listed as a documented accommodation necessary for instruction or communication within the student’s IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan.

 

 

“Bell to bell” means the time between the first bell ringing at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal bell at the end of the school day to end instructional time.

 

“Personal electronic device” means a personal device capable of connecting to a smartphone, the Internet, or a cellular or Wi-Fi network, or directly connecting to another similar device. Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets, and smart glasses.

Personal electronic devices shall not include school-issued or school approved devices that are specifically limited for use in classroom instruction.

 

 

Phones are not to be used during school hours. Every 6th-grade through 12th-grade student is assigned a personal Yondr Pouch. While the Yondr Pouch is considered school property, it is each student’s responsibility to bring their Pouch with them to school every day and keep it in good working condition. 



 DAILY PROCESS (Grades 6th - 12th)

      As students Arrive at School, they will:

1)     Turn their phone, smartwatch, and any listening devices (i.e. earbuds) off.

2)     Place their phone &/or electronic device(s) inside their Pouch.

3)     The Pouch will then be locked in front of school staff.

4)     Students will store their locked Pouch for the day in their backpack.

 

   At the end of the school day:  1)     Students will open their Pouch and remove their phone &/or electronic device(s).   

2)     Students will take their Pouch home each day.

                 *Students must bring their Pouch to school with them each day.  

                 *Students arriving late or leaving early will pouch/un-pouch their phones in the office.  

 

 VIOLATIONS

      Using Phone During School

If a student is caught on their phone &/or electronic device(s) or if they are not in the Pouch:

 

1st Offense: Administration will collect the phone &/or electronic device(s) and Pouch.  Pouch will be locked in the vault and the student may pick it up at the end of the day. The student will also receive one (1) day of In-School Detention for the first violation.

2nd Offense: Administration will collect the phone &/or electronic device(s) and Pouch. Pouch will be locked in the vault and the parent will be called for pickup. The student will receive three (3) days of In-School Detention for the second violation.

 

3rd Offense: Administration will collect the phone &/or electronic device(s) and Pouch. Pouch will be locked in the vault and the parent will be called for pickup. 

The student will be required to turn in the phone/pouch in the office every day for the remainder of the semester.  The student will also receive three (3) days of Out of School Suspension. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If your student needs access to their phone for medical accommodations, it is important to note that the current cell phone policy and guidelines have not changed. Therefore, students who currently require access to a cell phone or another personally owned device for medical reasons, or an accommodation to access the curriculum and make progress to their individualized goals, will continue to have such access. We have medical Yondr Pouches that are designed without a lock but with velcro for easy access. 

  • To reach your student for any reason or in case of emergency, please contact your school's front office.

  • Teachers will be directed not to use cell phones for instructional activities at the pilot schools.

  • Yes, the phone-free pilot program only applies to instructional time.

  • WPS has rules against students using cellphones in class, but having to constantly enforce these rules takes time, energy, and focus away from teaching. 33% of middle school teachers and 72% of high school teachers surveyed nationwide say that students being distracted by their cell phones is a “major problem” in their classroom, and 30% say cell phone policies are “somewhat” or “very difficult” to enforce. By locking cell phones, our teachers can spend more time teaching and less time asking students to put their phones away.

  • Our students and staff regularly practice lockdown drills and are directed to follow our emergency response plans. School staff will not be required to store their cell phones. 

  • Law enforcement officials have reported that cell phones create a distraction for students that can compromise their safety during an emergency. It can also alert an intruder to their location. The school campuses will be in contact with families during emergency situations.

  • Every student in the pilot program will be provided a personally assigned Yondr pouch at no cost to families. Students must bring their pouch to school with them each day. The pouch is the responsibility of the student for the entire year.

    1. As students arrive at school, they will turn their phones off upon arrival to the campus. Smartwatches and airpods also need to be turned off.

    2. Phones/smartwatches/airpods will then be placed inside their yondr pouch and in their backpacks and secured. If a student brings airpods to school, these must also go in a student’s backpack.

    3. The cell phone policy will be enforced bell to bell each school day. Students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day at an unlocking station. 

    4. When leaving school, students will use a Yondr base to unlock their pouch and retrieve their phone. 

  •  If a student forgets their pouch, please see the Procedures policy for consequences.

    If a student consistently forgets their pouch, it will be considered lost. Parents/guardians will be notified, and a replacement pouch will be provided at the student’s expense.

  • If a student damages or loses their pouch, school staff will collect the phone/pouch and send it to the front office for the remainder of the school day. The student will be assessed an $30 replacement fee.

  • Students will be subject to disciplinary action, including confiscation, detention, and temporary loss of phone privileges.

  • Yes, phones never leave the possession of the students, unless confiscated for policy violations.

  • Students will be able to unlock their devices at school just prior to an approved early dismissal. If they need to return to school, the pouch will be locked upon re-entry.

  • The student may return to school to unlock their phone before the last late bus leaves. Otherwise, they will have to wait until the next morning’s arrival.

  • Yondr staff will assist with determining the most appropriate number of unlocking station locations in each school based on the number of students, in order to maintain a safe and timely dismissal process at each school. They will provide training for the unlocking stations. 

    Please check your campus for guidance on the exact locations of the unlocking stations at dismissal time.

  • When pouches are distributed during the school year 2025-26, each one will be numerically assigned to a student. School staff will record the pouch assignments, but students will be personally responsible for their pouch for the duration of the school year and keep their pouch with them at all times during the school day.

  • We do not have individual portable unlocks for each teacher. At each campus, there will be designated stations for the portable locks.