Creating phone-free schools since 2014

THE PROBLEM IS CLEAR

3 hours

The daily social media use that doubles anxiety and depression risks among youth.

20 minutes

The time it takes for students to regain focus after a nearby cell phone distraction.

15 points

The decrease in scores of mathematics students when distracted by phones.

68 percent

The percentage of students who report that electronic devices are distracting.

DIGITAL OVERLOAD

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THE US Surgeon General issueD A warning about social media's impact on youth mental health.

“We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis—one that we must urgently address.”

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– US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy

But A PHONE “BAN” ALONE

IS NOT A PHONE-FREE SOLUTION

“Cellphone bans are in place in 77% of schools. But this high number [refers] to any school that tells students they should not use their phone while in class. That’s not really a ban; it’s more of an unenforceable wish.”

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– Jonathan Haidt, Author and Social Psychologist

THE SOLUTION:

THE YONDR PROGRAM

Allow your students to experience the focus, creativity, and relief that comes from a phone-free school day.

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THE YONDR PROGRAM

Yondr has created a patented pouch and unlocking base that provides a standardized system for all students, each receiving an assigned pouch for the school year.

POUCH

Turn off phone. Place inside under staff supervision.

LOCK

Push the lock button and take the phone to class.

UNLOCK

Tap green ring to magnet and press button to unlock.

HOW IT WORKS

ARRIVAL DEMONSTRATION

• Turn phone off or on airplane mode.

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• Slide phone into pouch.

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• Close the top of the pouch.

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• Press the green push-pin button to secure.

DISMISSAL DEMONSTRATION

• Tap the side with the green circular ring to the unlocking base.

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• As you tap the pouch on the base,

push the button to release the lock.

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• Retrieve your phone and relock the pouch back up.

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• Keep your pouch with you for the following school day.

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one-to-one assignment

Each student receives a Yondr pouch that is assigned to them for the school year. Printed ID cards or student ID badges can be placed in the snap closure window.

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TRANSFORMATIVE RESULTS

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*Independent Study Results

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Goals and Roles

Admin Goals:

• Parent communication
• Student communication
• *Daily monitoring of arrival and dismissal
• Collection of phones and follow through of accountability plan
• Take burden off of teachers!

Teacher Roles:

• When you see something say something. No warnings. Call office at any sight of a device out of pouch or broken pouch.
• Periodic pouch checks.
• *Yondr Team (support distribution, make necessary adjustments, support arrival)

“It’s one of the best initiatives that we’ve undertaken in my 19 years here.”

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— Jen McClure, Teacher

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EDUCATOR TESTIMONIALS

“It's an absolute game- changer. Our campus is so much more energetic and positive.”

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— Allison Silvestri, Principal

“It's given children back their youth. We have a beautiful courtyard that no one used before we had the Yondr pouches. Now, they use it."

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— Principal, West Philadelphia HS

"We had more books checked out in one week than all of last year combined."

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— Librarian, Stanhope Elmore HS

“Students are actually talking to one another again.”

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— Yvonne Shiu, School Principal

“Discipline issues are down significantly, by about a third.”

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— Eric Mackey, State Superintendent

“Our US History pass rate went

up five fold.”

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— James Villa, School Principal

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Frequently asked questions

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What happens if a student forgets their pouch?

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YONDR BEST PRACTICE:

If a student forgets their pouch, they will have their phones collected and stored for the school day. The phone will be returned to the student at dismissal.

If a student consistently forgets their pouch, it will be considered lost. Parents/guardians will be notified, and a replacement pouch will be provided at the student’s expense.

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PROCEDURES

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What if the pouch is damaged, lost, or stolen?

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YONDR BEST PRACTICE:

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If a student damages or loses their pouch, school staff will collect the phone/pouch and send it to the main office for the remainder of the school day. The student will be assessed a replacement fee.

PROCEDURES

Examples of damage include:

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• Bent pins
• Deep scratches on the plastic globe and the surrounding green ring
• Intentional pen marks on the inside
• Pin and button not fully recessing

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What happens if a

student unlocks their pouch WITHOUT PERMISSION, damages it, or uses an alternate phone?

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YONDR BEST PRACTICE:

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Students may be subject to disciplinary action. Phone will be confiscated for the remainder of the academic day.

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Un-pouched phones will be collected and stored until a parent can come pick the phone up, even on the first offense.

PROCEDURES

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What about other electronic devices?

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YONDR BEST PRACTICE:

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In addition to cell phones, big headphones (over the ears) or small headphones (ear buds) are no longer allowed. Tablets and personal laptops are not allowed. Only school-issued devices will be allowed.

PROCEDURES

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HOW DO WE BEST ADDRESS

ANY PARENTAL CONCERNS?

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The benefits of a phone-free learning environment greatly outweigh the few inconveniences.

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• If students keep their phone in airplane mode, you can still see GPS tracking.

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• If a parent/student conversation needs to happen during the school day, the parent can call the office, or the student can request to go to the office to call their parent.

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• School emergencies will follow our emergency management system’s communication using the Parent Link

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PROCEDURES

THANK YOU

Contact

team@overyondr.com

Learn more

www.overyondr.com

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