Deering Community Reflects on Cell Phone Ban

By Nevaeh Harmon March 17th, 2026

Portland Public Schools staff and students are wrapping up the first year with the districtwide cellphone ban that requires students to put their phone in a Yondr pouch for the duration of the school day. 

Portland Public Schools is one of 2,000 districts across 16 countries that use Yondr pouches. A Yondr pouch is a secure, lockable fabric bag used by schools to store student devices during the school day to avoid distraction. Students keep the locked pouch in their possession but cannot unlock it without a special magnet available with school administration. According to a district official, PPS spent approximately $60,000 to provide Yondr pouches to all middle schoolers and high schoolers. Students and teachers have different opinions on the success of the Yondr pouches. 

“We've heard that some students really like the Yondr pouches and have helped them keep their phones locked and away much easier than just doing it on their own,” said Sarah Lentz, Board Chair of Portland Public Schools. “We do know that other districts have figured out ways to use manilla envelopes or a check in/out system in the main office, which is cheaper. But for the number of students we have and the fact that our high school students often move to internships, other campuses and have off campus lunch, we chose Yondr pouches.”

Lentz said the cell phone ban supports the Student Use of Electronic Devices board policy, which states that the district strives for “a safe, positive, and productive learning environment.” But the opinions of students in Deering about the effectiveness and fairness of the phone ban vary.

“I don’t like [the phone ban],” said sophomore Hamdi Abduallahi. “Kids need their phones for a lot of things in this generation. To call for rides, to order food. We need our phones in emergencies. Without it, it’s difficult.”

Despite some students’ disdain for the ban, administrators at Deering say it is working.

"Last year versus this year students are being sent to the office way less for using phones during class," said Carlie Frederick, Assistant Principal of Deering. "So it seems like with that data over the past few months, that yes it is working better."