Phone-Free School
We will be making our school 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 place their phones in their Yondr pouch each school each day and will be 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
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly at 561-434-3301.
If there is an emergency and you would like to get in contact with your child, please reach out to your student’s grade level office. If there is an emergency and you would like to get in contact with your child, please reach out to your student’s grade level office. For the 6th grade, you can contact Mr. Martinez at 561-434-3358. For the 7th grade, you can contact Mrs. Wells at 561-434-3330, and for the 8th grade you can contact Mrs. Ramirez at 561-434-3380
In an effort to best serve your child, we appreciate your full support in the adoption of the Yondr Program at our school.
Thank you,
Dr. McDonnough
Principal
Palm Springs Community Middle School
Yondr Pouch Student & Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form
Print and Sign the Yondr Pouch Student & Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form
In alignment with School District of Palm Beach County policy and recent state legislation, specifically House Bill 379, Florida law prohibits students in Grades K-8 from using wireless communication devices during the school day. The school day is defined as the moment a student enters the school campus until the final dismissal bell. To support this law and maintain a focused, distraction-free learning environment, Palm Springs Middle School implements a Yondr pouch procedure.
All cell phones must be secured in a Yondr pouch upon arrival and remain locked for the duration of the school day.
Please note: Smartwatches (such as Apple Watches), iPads, Kindles, and other personal electronic devices are not permitted on campus. The only approved device students may bring to school is their district-issued Chromebook.
❖ Each student will be assigned a numbered Yondr pouch to use at no cost for the school year. The pouch is school property and must be returned in good condition at the end of the year.
DAILY PROCEDURE
Each morning, students will:
1. Power off their cell phone and place it in their numbered Yondr pouch and secure it in front of school staff.
2. Keep the pouch sealed and stored for the entire school day.
3. Unlock the pouch only at the designated stations at dismissal.
YONDR POUCH RESPONSIBILITIES
● Students are responsible for bringing their assigned Yondr pouch each day.
● Lost or damaged pouches must be replaced by the student at a cost of $20 at their respective grade-level office.
● If a student forgets their pouch, their device must be turned in to the grade-level office upon arrival.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE VIOLATIONS
1. First Offense: Device is confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the day; parent/guardian is notified.
2. Second Offense: Device is confiscated and must be picked up by a parent/guardian; student is assigned after-school detention.
3. Third Offense: Student must turn in their device to the grade-level office each morning for the remainder of the school year. Continued defiance may result in further disciplinary action, in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.