West Side High School Phone-Free Space
In accordance with Arkansas Law (Act 122)
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Click here for the West Side School District Yondr Information.
West Side High School 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 can be a great tool in education. 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions that parents and students may have regarding Yondr pouches and West Side High School policies. If your question is not answered below, please reach out to the high school office.
What if I need to contact my child?
What if I need to contact my child?
To reach your student for any reason or in case of emergency, please call the high school office at 501-825-7241.
What if my child needs their phone for medical reasons?
What if my child needs their phone for medical reasons?
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.
Can my child use their cell phone during after-school activities?
Can my child use their cell phone during after-school activities?
Yes, the phone-free program only applies to instructional time.
What if there is an emergency at school?
What if there is an emergency at school?
Our students and staff regularly practice lockdown drills and are directed to follow our emergency response plans. In the event of an emergency, all communication will flow through the administration office.
How will students be able to contact their families if there is a lockdown situation?
How will students be able to contact their families if there is a lockdown situation?
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.
What is the daily storage process?
What is the daily storage process?
Every student 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.
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.
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.
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.
When leaving school, students will use a Yondr base to unlock their pouch and retrieve their phone.
What if a student forgets their pouch?
What if a student forgets their pouch?
If a student forgets their pouch, please see the Yondr 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.
What if a pouch is damaged, lost, or stolen?
What if a pouch is damaged, lost, or stolen?
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.
What happens if a student unlocks their pouch, purposefully damages it, or uses an alternate phone?
What happens if a student unlocks their pouch, purposefully damages it, or uses an alternate phone?
Students will be subject to disciplinary action, including confiscation, detention, and temporary loss of phone privileges.
Will my student's phone be safe?
Will my student's phone be safe?
Yes, phones never leave the possession of the students, unless confiscated for policy violations.
What if a student needs to leave school before regular dismissal?
What if a student needs to leave school before regular dismissal?
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.
What happens if a student forgets to unlock the pouch before leaving school?
What happens if a student forgets to unlock the pouch before leaving school?
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.
How will students know whose pouch is whose?
How will students know whose pouch is whose?
When pouches are distributed, 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.
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