Cell Phone Policy
MHS Cell Phone / Personal Listening Device Policy
In light of the recent advisory by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office on the growing concerns about the effects of social media on youth mental health, and in our continuing effort to offer an excellent educational experience for all students, Monongalia County Schools will become a smartphone-free school system this year during school hours. This 2024-25 initiative will allow students the opportunity for distraction-free learning using the Yondr Program. Yondr has been implemented in over 2,000 schools across 16 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment.
We believe that smartphones have great utility. However, we have also found that learning and social behavior improve drastically when students are fully engaged 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 access 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, just as they do their Chromebooks, and will be responsible for their pouch at all times.
Yondr received responses to their annual surveys from over 1,200 school partners and after implementing the Yondr Education Program –
· 84% saw a positive change in student engagement
· 72% saw a positive change in student behavior
· 68% saw a positive change in academic performance
In the most recent impact survey of over 370 of their school partners –
· 86% saw a positive impact in student safety and wellness
If at any time you have any questions or need to contact your child in an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school directly.
For more information on the Surgeon General’s recent warning about Social Media Platforms, view the US Department of Health and Human Services Page HERE.
In an effort to best serve your child and provide meaningful, focused, and distraction-free instruction, we appreciate your full support in adoption of the Yondr Program in Monongalia County Schools.