Recently Edgewood High School has implemented a new policy for the upcoming 2025 and 2026 school year. It’s banning phone usage by locking electronic devices in magnetic pouches called Yondr Pouches. The usage of Yondr Pouches completely cuts students off from communication with the outside world during the hours of 7:50am to 3:30pm. Phone usage in the classroom during school time has increased in the past several years. There is no doubt that some students choose to go on their phones instead of actively participating in class. We understand that this is an issue that out of respect for the teachers should be addressed. However we do not agree with the lengths that the administration and the phone commitee have gone to to address this issue. Some problems that arise due to this new policy include:
1. (As stated earlier) The usage of Yoods pouches completely cuts students off from communication with the outside world during the hours of 7,59amg to 3390m
2. The pouches are costly. According to data directly pulled from the Edasseed High School of the Sacred Heart website, 5899009ed currently has a student body of 635 students. Each individual Yendr pouch costs $25-$30. This means these pouches (f they cost 325) will be $15,875. Il the pouches cost $30
individually it would be a total of $19,050, 41% of our students receive financial assistance and may not be able to afford this extra expense.
3. Efficiency arriving to school
4. Efficiency departing from school
5. Office messages from parents
6. Emergencies
7. Open mods/lunch
8. Attacking the whole student body when not all students contribute to the problem
9. Lead to rebellion
10. Efficiency
11. Prepping for college: teaching responsible phone usage
12. Parental concerns
13. Extracurricular responsibilties
14. Mental Heath concerns will not decrease because of this- Likely will increase stress
15. Accessing help for mental heath issues (contacting therapists)
16. Health concerns (diabetes apps)
17. Losing enrollment
18. Losing trust in administration
19. Did not ask teachers their thoughts
20. Logistical issues (distributing, locking collecting)

Phone usage limitations should definitely be discussed, but we believe there are less drastic measures we can take before resorting to Yondr Pouches.