The district implements a system called Yondr in its middle and high schools.
THORNDALE, Texas — Thorndale ISD is implementing a new policy to try to keep students focused on their schoolwork.
In a letter to parents, Superintendent Adam Ivy announced that Thorndale ISD High School and Middle School will use a system called Yondr to “facilitate an engaged learning environment.”
The Yondr system involves students locking their phones, smartwatches, and/or wireless headphones in magnetically sealed pouches while at school. Students will keep their pouches during the day but will not use their devices until their pouches are opened at the end of the day. When leaving school, students tap their pouches on an unlocking base to release their devices.
Students will be required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and will be responsible for their pouch at all times.
“We have seen through observation, data and discussions with other schools and multiple reliable sources related to school safety that the use of personal mobile devices at school by students is become a huge educational distraction, a source of cyberbullying, a source of wasted instructional time, and the creator of many issues for administrators to investigate,” reads a response in a Q&A included with Ivy’s letter. “We believe that removing these devices and especially social media from our school buildings will result in a much more productive and safe educational environment.”
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Students who take their devices out at school face fines and school suspension, with the number of days varying depending on whether it is their first offense, second offense, etc.
The district said, based on information from law enforcement, that it’s “actually safer for students to refrain from using their devices in an emergency situation.” However, the district is working on a plan in case devices are deemed necessary in a lockdown situation, and there is a phone in each classroom and office that can be used in an emergency.
Thorndale ISD said Yondr recently surveyed 900 school partners to measure the effects of phone-free education environments. According to the district, 65% of these schools saw improved academic performance, 74% improved student behavior, and 83% saw improved student engagement in the classroom.
To learn more about Thorndale ISD’s new policy, you can read Ivy’s full letter, which includes an in-depth Q&A section.
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