Dear Families,
Beginning at the 2024-2025 School Year, Northwest Local School District will be making our high schools a phone-free space to improve teaching and learning using a program called Yondr. Yondr has been implemented in over 2,000 schools across 16 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment.
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 use 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 and are responsible for their pouch at all times.
Research has found that learning and social behavior improve drastically when students are fully engaged with their teachers and classmates. Schools that have used Yondr have found much success. Below is a summary of survey responses from over 1,200 school partners after implementing the Yondr Education Program:
83% saw a change in student engagement
74% saw a positive change in student behavior
65% saw a positive change in academic performance
Of their most recent impact survey of over 370 of their school partners:
86% saw a positive impact in student safety and wellness
We will hold opportunities for you to ask questions about how this program will be implemented at our schools and release more details regarding our implementation guidelines in the coming weeks and our Open House on August 21, 4:30-6:30. We encourage you to attend. To start, you are welcome to complete the survey with the QR code below to provide your initial thoughts and feedback.
Additionally, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly at 513-851-7300 or attend our Open House to learn more about the adoption of Yondr.
In an effort to best serve your child, we appreciate your full support in adoption of the Yondr Program at our school. Please see the information on the back of this letter for more details regarding how the Yondr Program works.
Thank you,
Dr. Alex Shrewsberry
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I want to reach my child during the school day?
We want our students to be engaged in their learning. If you need to contact your child during the school day, contact the main office at 513-851-7300.
What if there is a school emergency?
In case of a school emergency, we direct our students to safety first, following our school emergency preparedness protocol. We will then help them gain access to their phone so that they may communicate with you as soon as possible. If there is an emergency and you would like to get in contact with your child, please reach out to our office at 513-851-7300.
Will my student’s phone be safe?
Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices or Yondr Bags and the administrators will not investigate such occurrences.
What if the Yondr pouch gets damaged or a student is caught on their phone?
The Yondr pouch is property of Northwest High School and is initially issued to the student at no expense. If a student damages their Pouch or is observed using their phone, they will be subject to the measures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Lost or damaged Yondr pouches will result in a fee of $25.50 being applied to the student account. Additional consequences may be assigned based on the NWLSD Student Code of Conduct.
Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school or Yondr staff.