Cell Phone And Wireless Device Procedures

Learner Cell Phone Guidelines

To promote the best possible learning and social environment at Winfree Academy, learners  in Classrooms 1-3 in the morning sessions and Classrooms 1-2 in the afternoon sessions will not use their phones, air pods/earbuds/wireless headphones, or communication/smart devices during the school day.  Learners in these classrooms will receive a YONDR Pouch for daily use, similar to the assignment of a Chromebook.

*Should a learner in Classroom 4 in the morning session or Classroom 3 in the afternoon continuously violate cell phone privileges, they will follow the procedures and consequences outlined in this document* 

Statement of Expectations

Campus administrators will state expectations clearly and reinforce the importance of maintaining a cell phone/communications-free environment at the beginning of the year. Administrators will monitor cell phone violations to inform the need for reinforcement and support. Also, any headgear usage will occur based on the approval and expectations set by individual classroom educators. WACS’ continued focus will be on the mitigation of educational distractions precipitated by the use of cell phones/air pods during instructional time.

 Process for YONDR Pouch Use

Start of School Day:

1. Prior to entering the building, turn your phone and devices off.
   
2. Upon entering the building, place all phones/airpods/earbuds/communication or smart devices (from here forward referred to as devices) in your YONDR Pouch.
   
3. Once your devices are inside the pouch, securely close it using the locking button.
   
4. You are responsible for getting to class on-time with a secured pouch.
   

 

During School Day:

1. Keep your devices inside your YONDR Pouch for the duration of the school day.
   
2. If you leave campus for an appointment, unlock your bag with the Attendance Clerk and proceed to leave the building. Upon re-entry, you must relock your devices in your bag with the Attendance Clerk.
   
3. You may not access your devices during the school day anywhere on campus.
   

 

End of School Day:

1. When your school day ends, unlock your pouch using an unlocking base.
   
2. Remove your devices from your pouch.
   
3. Turn the pouch in to campus personnel

Violations

 Each of the following violations will result in the learner’s devices being confiscated by school staff.

Physical damage to the pouch in an attempt to circumvent its intended purpose. (Ex: inappropriate markings, holes, bent pin, stripped lock, cut or torn fabric, etc.).

1. Persistent losing or forgetting the pouch
   
2. Damaging or taking someone else’s pouch.
   
3. Using a phone or device anywhere on campus during school hours without permission.
   

Consequences

If a learner’s devices are visible during the day:

Damaged pouch immediate consequence	●  Parent/guardian contacted. ●  Fee of $30 assessed per pouch that has been rendered unusable through damage or graffiti.
1st & 2nd  Offense	●  Phone will be kept in the Principal/AP/ABI office for the day, parent/guardian is contacted. ●  Parent MUST pick up cell phone (no learners will be allowed to retrieve their phone). ●  Warning to learner and parent/guardian about additional consequences that will happen for non-compliance of cell phone-free environment. ●  Offense documented in Project Behavior
3rd Offense	●  Phone will be kept in the Principal/AP/ABI office for the day, parent/guardian is contacted. ●  Parent/Guardian MUST pick up cell phone (no learners will be allowed to retrieve their phone). ●  Offense documented in Project Behavior ●  Learner completes the Cell Phone Separation/Usage Activity as well as a post-high school goal setting activity
4th Offense	●  Phone will be kept in the Principal/AP/ABI office for the day, parent/guardian is contacted. ●  Parent/Guardian MUST pick up cell phone AND pay a $15 fine(no learners will be allowed to retrieve their phone). ●  In-person meeting scheduled with parent. ●  Offense documented in Project Behavior ●  Learner meeting with campus counselor or MHC to discuss cell phone behaviors
5th Offense	●  Phone will be kept in the Principal/AP/ABI office for the day, parent/guardian is contacted. ●  Warning to parent that the creation of a cell phone plan for the learner. ●  Parent/Guardian MUST pick up cell phone AND pay a $15 fine (no learners will be allowed to retrieve their phone). ●  Offense documented in Project Behavior ●  Presentation by learner to the learner body regarding the detriment of cell phone usage/distractions in the classroom
6th Offense and beyond	●  Violations of the cell phone policy beyond the fifth offense may result in the assignment of out-of-school suspension. ●  Creation of a cellphone plan for learner. ●  Parent/Guardian MUST pick up cell phone AND pay a $15 fine (no learners will be allowed to retrieve their phone). ●  Conference with Principal to discuss academic needs

 

YONDR POUCH | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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.
  

 How YONDR Works

Why is Winfree Academy introducing YONDR pouches? 

• Cell phones in the classroom have become a deterrent to learner achievement.  With phone calls, text messages, social media notifications, and other app alerts, learners are spending more time checking their phones than they are working on their coursework.
  

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

• Enforcement of “cell phone free” classrooms become the burden of classroom educators when learners do not comply and valuable instruction time is lost as these issues are addressed. This also leads to power struggles in the classroom and time-costing disciplinary responses by administrators.
  

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

• If a learner needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, or other event, learners will be able to unlock their devices prior to their departure with the Attendance Clerk. If returning to school during the instructional day, the learner would then place their devices back into a YONDR pouch and it would be locked upon re-entry to the building. 
  

 Will my learner's devices be in their possession? 

• Yes. Devices never leave the possession of learners.
  

 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 school to speak with their child if the need arises. 
  

 What happens if there is an emergency at school?

• Every school and school staff is equipped to execute safety and emergency procedures, including calling 911. 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 learners are on their phones. They will be provided access to their phones once at a safe location.
  

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

• Learners who are found to unlock the pouches, cause damage to the pouch, or use an alternate phone will be subject to disciplinary action.
  

What if a learner 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.
  

What if there is a building-wide emergency and learners 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.