Ferguson-Florissant School District is a cell phone-free space for middle and high school students during school. Returning students from the 23-24 school year should bring their district-issued Yondr pouch back to school to use for the 24-25 school year. 

Students will be required to place all cell phones in a personal locked Yondr Pouch. The pouch will be kept sealed during the school day with a magnetized locking device. Please click on the following link to learn more about Yondr. 

Cell phone use is prohibited during instructional periods. District-provided technology will be used to support learning and accessibility needs during the school day.

All other communication devices (e.g., smart watches) should not be at school or turned off or away during instruction.

As students arrive to school, they will:

1) Turn their cell phone off.

2) Place their cell phone inside the Pouch and secure it in front of school staff.

3) Store it in their backpack for the day.

At the end of the day, students will open their Pouch, remove their phone, close their Pouch and put it in their backpack. Students must bring their Pouch to school with them each 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. Students are required to bring their Yondr Pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times.

 

If there is an emergency and you would like to get in touch with your child, please contact your school’s main office. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yondr Pouch FAQs

What is a Yondr pouch?

The Yondr Pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual’s mobile device or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a special magnetic locking device.

Why is the school introducing Yondr pouches?

The high schools and middle schools are seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, mental health and well-being.

Will all schools in the district be using Yondr pouches?

6th-12th grades will use Yondr Pouches.

How will students receive a Yondr pouch?

Last year, students in grades 6-12 were assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phones.  Every 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. Students are responsible for the Yondr pouch at all times and for bringing the pouch to and from school each day and keeping them in good condition. For students who have have lost or misplaced their Yondr pouch, they must purchase a new pouch. The cost is $30 for a new pouch or $15 for a used pouch (if available).

 

How will the process work at arrival and dismissal?

Upon entering school, students will turn their phone off, place the phone inside of the Yondr pouch, and lock it in front of the designated staff. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the school day at several designated locations within the building.

How is the “end of the day” defined?

The end of the day is 3:05 p.m.at high school and 2:30 p.m. in middle school. Students who leave school before the end of the day will be able to unlock their phones as they leave.

My student attends internships and dual enrollment classes where Yondr pouches are not required. What will the process be for these students?

Students who attend external classes in the afternoon will be able to unlock their devices when they leave the high school. Those who attend morning classes will have to lock their devices upon arrival at the high school.

What if a student needs to leave the building before regular dismissal?

If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, work assignment, athletic event, or other school-sponsored trip, students will be able to unlock their devices at school just prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the building.

What if a parent or guardian needs to reach their child during the school day?

We understand that emergencies will occur. Parents may contact the main office to speak with their child if the need arises. Students can communicate with one another using their Chromebooks as well.

What happens if there is an emergency at school?

Every school is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. Our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. Students will follow the school’s emergency procedures in the case of an emergency. Schools will communicate with parents through the district’s mass notification and communication tools. It becomes disruptive when students are on their phones. They will be provided access to their phones once at a safe location.

What if a student does not comply or damages the locked case to access their phone?

Students who are found to unlock the pouches, cause damage to the pouch, or use an alternate phone will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Expectation Code.

What if a student needs their personal device for a medical issue?

Students who have a documented medical condition and who need a personal device for monitoring their condition will be provided with a non-locking Yondr pouch that has a velcro seal.

How will students be able to contact families if there is a lockdown or active shooter situation?

Students and staff at all schools practice lockdown drills. Students and staff are instructed to be silent during a lockdown. The response action guidelines outlined in the high school’s building-level safety plan has a community notification plan for all emergency situation. This notification plan includes first and foremost, parents and guardians of students in the building.

What if my child is at school and needs to call 911?

Every classroom is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. There are no codes or prefix needed to dial outside of the district. Anyone can dial direct.

What if there is a building-wide emergency and students are unable to return to the building, how will they open their Yondr pouch?

There will be mobile unlocking devices available for these types of circumstances. 

Why can’t the school just implement a zero-tolerance policy and allow students to keep their phones put away?

Enforcement of “cell phone free” classrooms and lock boxes become the burden of classroom teachers when students do not comply and valuable instruction time is lost as these issues are addressed. 

Requiring students to lock their phones away seems like a punishment for students. Is this the case?

The introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure. The intention of Yondr is three-fold:

• to create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices; 

• to reduce the negative impacts for ALL students of inappropriate use of devices at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and incidents involving mobile phones that detract from a healthy school climate; and

• to increase meaningful face-to-face connections between students.

Are students able to use their Chromebooks to email outside of district email addresses?

Students will not have this ability. All district email is filtered and monitored.

Will students be able to put their personal email accounts on the district-owned Chromebooks?

No. Students will only be able to use their [student@fergflor.org] accounts on district-owned devices. All devices and networks owned by the district are monitored.

Why is there an annual cost associated with Yondr? $$

The pouches are leased so there is an annual cost associated with the lease. When the pouches are distributed, the pouches are marked with the students’ names. As a result, each year pouches will be needed for a new cohort of students and replacement pouches for those that may have been lost or damaged will need to be purchased.

Will teachers be using the Yondr pouches as well?

No. Teachers and staff will be encouraged to model responsible cell phone use for students.

If a student forgets to unlock the pouch before leaving the building, is there a way for students to unlock the pouch – ie an unlock station outside the school building?

There will not be an unlocking station outside the building. If the student forgets to unlock their pouch, they will be able to return to school before the last late bus departs to unlock it.               

If the Yondr pouch is stolen/lost who is responsible for replacement?

Students will ultimately be responsible for the care of their Yondr pouch. If a student intentionally damages the pouch, they will be responsible for replacement and may face disciplinary consequences. If a student loses their pouch, the replacement cost is $30 for a new pouch or $15 for a used pouch ( if a used one is available). As the new school year gets underway, the district will provide families and students with how to purchase a replacement.

What happens if a student doesn’t have their Yondr Pouch?

The phone will be turned over to main office staff and secured in the school, safe until the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, students will retrieve their phone by showing their school ID.

How many Yondr stations will there be and where will they be located?

The number of Yondr unlocking stations varies by building. They are generally located in the entrance/exit parts of the building.

Do the Yondr pouches block cell signals or internet?

Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet. 

How will students know whose Yondr pouch is whose?

When the school year begins, the pouches will be distributed and each high school student will be required to put their name on their pouch as it is handed to them. Staff from Yondr will work with school administrators to ensure a smooth distribution process. Students will keep their pouches with them at all times.

What tools will the school use to help gauge the effectiveness of the Yondr pouches?

The district will use quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of Yondr in improving the student experience. This includes School Climate Survey data, discipline referrals, as well as faculty and staff feedback.