Effective July 1, 2024, all Indiana schools will be required to participate in current legislation regarding the restriction of cell phones in our schools. This bill was signed by Indiana’s Governor, Eric Holcomb March 12th, 2024. The purpose of the restriction is to decrease distractions while increasing classroom engagement helping us to fulfill our promise of delivering a high quality education. Beginning the first day of school, Monday, August 12th, we will be fully enforcing the Governor’s order to strengthen our existing cell phone policy so that during the day, our campuses are phone-free and academically focused.
To enforce this policy, we have restricted cell phones in K-3. All scholars in these grades must have their cell phones shut off and in the backpacks all day. We have also partnered with Yondr and have purchased pouches for all scholars 4-12th grade. All scholars will place their phones in their assigned pouch at the beginning of each day to secure them while restricting access for use. Scholars will be allowed to keep these pouches with them until the end of the day at which time they will be unlocked and returned to their designated location. While we understand that many are fearful of the safety concerns this may cause, we want to assure you that all of our classrooms and offices are equipped with working phones in case contact needs to be made. It is our belief that this will actually increase the safety at all campuses.
Daily Process
As scholars arrive to school they will:
1) Turn their phone off/airplane mode and open their Personal Yondr Pouch provided by the campus.
2) Place their phone inside their Pouch and secure it in front of school staff.
3) Proceed through the evolv metal detectors.
4) Store their Pouch in their backpack/on their person for the day.
5) At the end of the school day, scholars will unlock their Yondr pouch as they dismiss at designated locations determined by the campus.
*Scholars arriving late or leaving early will pouch/unpouch their phones at the designated location for each campus.
VIOLATIONS
Pouch Damage / Lost Pouch / Using Phone During School
If a scholar intentionally damages their pouch or is caught on their phone, administration will collect the phone/pouch, call home, and implement appropriate next steps as outlined in our NWILCS Code of Conduct.
Pouch Damage/Loss of Pouch
Lost and damaged pouches will result in a $30 replacement fee.
Forgotten Pouch
If a scholar forgets their pouch, they will be provided a loaner pouch that is to be returned at the end of the day. Admin will call home to remind the parent/guardian of the policy. The phone will be returned to the scholar at dismissal.
***If a scholar consistently forgets their pouch, it is considered lost and the scholar will have to turn in his/her cell phone to administration everyday for the remainder of the semester with the option to buy a new one at the start of the next semester.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why has the district decided to use the Yondr system?
We want our students to be engaged in their learning and in appropriate interpersonal social interaction throughout the day. Phones have become a distraction within the school day for many students, and for teachers who have to constantly monitor students for phone use during class and school activities. Additionally, the District has seen an increase in discipline related to cyberbullying, the circulation of inappropriate videos and pictures, and fighting. The Yondr system simply assists the District in enforcing the policy currently in place regarding phones on campus.
Why are all students being punished for the actions of a few?
Making schools cell phones free is not a punishment. The Yondr pouches are a tool that is being implemented to maximize education time and support the mental health of all of our students. By limiting distractions during the day, we hope to limit the negative effects of social media and reduce vaping and fighting.
Does it take long to unlock the cases?
No. Yondr unlocking stations are located at designated areas throughout the building in order to unlock pouches. It takes only 2 to 3 seconds to unlock the pouch.
What if my child needs a phone for learning?
Phones are not utilized for learning in NWILCS unless a student has a designation in their Individualized Learning plan (IEP). The school provides scholars with designated one to one chrome book devices.
What if my child needs the phone for medical reasons?
Scholars who need their phones for medical reasons will have a slightly different pouch that can be opened by the scholar without the use of the unlocking device.
What if I want to reach my child during the school day?
We want our students to be engaged in their learning. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please contact the main office. Students are also each assigned a chromebook and have access to email throughout the day.
Will my student’s phone be safe?
Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their backpacks where it is completely safe. The pouch itself is made of a soft fabric padding that provides protection to the phone while stored. NWILCS will not be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged pouches or cell phones.
I have a tracker on my child’s phone, does it have to be off during the day?
As long as the phone is in the pouch and not interfering with the instructional day, a student can either turn it off, put it on airplane mode, or put it on silent.
Does this apply to smartwatches and other devices like airpods?
NWILCS does not currently restrict the use of smartwatches. In the event smartwatches or airpods become a repeated distraction, they could be required to store it in the pouch (on a case by case basis depending on the level of misuse).
What if there is a school emergency?
In case of a school emergency, we direct our students to safety first, following our school emergency preparedness protocol.
In the event of an emergency lockdown, school staff will direct students according to emergency preparedness protocol. Student cell phone use during this time has the potential to endanger the safety of the student using the phone and all students and staff within that classroom.
In emergency situations it has been proven that cell phone use during an emergency creates a less safe school emergency response. Specifically:
Cell phone use during crisis management overloads telephone systems and renders them useless.
Calls, texts, and other outside communications have the potential to alert a dangerous individual to the location of students and staff during a lockdown.
Cell phone use accelerates the unintentional (and potentially intentional) spread of misinformation, rumors, and fear.
Cell phone use, texting, and other outside communications by students during a crisis also have the potential to cause parents to flock to school at a time when school and public safety officials may need parents to be away from the school site due to evacuations, emergency response, and/or other tactical or safety reasons. This could actually delay or otherwise hinder timely and efficient parent-student reunification. It could also potentially put parents into a zone of harm.