Yondr cell phone pouches at MDUSD high schools improve student engagement and interactions

When Governor Newsom sent a letter to every school District in the state last week encouraging them to limit cell phone use in schools, reporters starting calling MDUSD to find out about new Yondr cell phone pouches being used at Mt. Diablo HS and Ygnacio Valley HS in Concord this year, after they were successfully piloted at Olympic HS and Prospect HS last year.

Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark spoke about the Yondr bags during his report to the School Board on Wednesday, saying the District is piloting the pouches at two new schools this year so that students can have the best experiences possible on the campuses. "If our students spend that time with their faces buried in their phones – texting, online, on TikTok, or whatever – then they re going to miss out on friendships, on the extracurricular activities, and more importantly, on the instruction that’s taking place in their classrooms," he said. "Four or five days into it, it's getting positive results." He said Mt. Diablo HS students are reportedly jumping rope at lunchtime and teachers say their students are more engaged than they were before. 

Dr. Clark explained that each student receives a Yondr pouch - just like they receive textbooks - and they are required to turn their phones off and put them into the pouch and lock it via a magnetic system. At the end of the day, it is unlocked. Many parents think the program is great, while some are concerned about safety, he said, adding that the pouches could be unlocked in the event of an on-campus emergency.

If the pilots are successful, Dr. Clark said Yondr pouches could be introduced at College Park, Concord and Northgate high schools next year, but administrators would have to start having conversations with staff, students and parents in January or February to ensure a smooth transition. If that happens, the Board could consider implementing a Districtwide policy regarding limiting cell phone use next year, he said. 

Board Member Cherise Khaund said she noticed that Olympic HS seemed more peaceful after implementing the Yondr pouches when she visited that campus last year. "The principal seems to know every single student's name and people are really interacting, so I’m really looking forward to going out to Mt. Diablo HS and Ygnacio Valley HS and seeing how those interactions can happen now," she said, adding that adults, too, miss out on social interactions when they spend time in public on their cell phones. "Being able to change that culture and allow people to interact, I think, is going to be a really special opportunity."

Social Work Specialists posted photos on Instagram (below), showing students playing games and chatting with each other, with the caption: "No phone, no problem! Wellness Centers at Olympic, Mt. Diablo, and Ygnacio Valley high schools have provided fun lunchtime activities where students are building community and making memories. Who said high school kids don’t love to PLAY?!"

Students at Wellness Centers play games and interact with each other during lunch.