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Yondr Device Procedure

student sitting at desk hiding smartphone inside of book while typing a reply to message

Freeing our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety Act

In May of 2025, Governor Kay Ivey signed the FOCUS Act into law, which restricts the use of personal wireless communication devices by scholars during school hours. In accordance with this law, the Phenix City Board of Education has approved the Wireless Device Use & Technology Use Policy to ensure compliance and support a focused learning environment.

View the Wireless Device Use & Technology Use Policy

At Phenix City Schools, we are committed to creating learning environments where scholars can focus fully on their education. Beginning this school year, our district will use Yondr pouches to support a cell phone-free school day. Yondr provides a simple, effective system that helps minimize distractions, reduce conflicts, and promote meaningful engagement both in and out of the classroom.

This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that every scholar has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive without unnecessary interruptions. We thank our parents and community members for their patience as we gathered information and for their continued support as we work to provide the most up-to-date details. Transparency and clear communication remain our priority, and this page is designed to be a resource for families.

What This Means for Students

Beginning this school year, all students in grades 6-12 are expected to:

  • Turn off their personal devices upon arrival on campus.
  • Securely store devices in their backpacks or in a district-approved storage device (Yondr pouch).
  • Students are encouraged to leave wireless communications at home
  • Students in grades PreK-5 are prohibited from bringing wireless communication devices to school.

To assist with this transition, all students in grades 6- 12 will be issued a Yondr pouch that locks their device during the school day. These pouches help prevent distractions while still allowing students to maintain possession of their phones.

What is Yondr?

Yondr Pouch Guidelines

  • Each student in grades 6-12 will receive one free Yondr pouch.
  • Students are required to bring the pouch to school daily.
  • If the pouch is lost, damaged, stolen, or not returned at the end of the school year, a $30 replacement fee will be charged before another pouch is issued.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to report any issues with the pouch to school staff.
info graphic explaining how to store devices and unlock yondr phone pouches

Unlocking Stations

  • Yondr unlocking stations will be placed throughout the school campus, but students may only access them at dismissal.
  • If a student checks out early, a station will be available in the front office for device unlocking.

How the Yondr Pouches Work in Schools

Disciplinary Consequences for Violations

If a student is found to be in violation of this policy:

  • 1st Offense: In-School Suspension (ISS) or a hearing with the Discipline Review Committee (DRC).
  • 2nd Offense and beyond: A hearing with the Discipline Review Committee (DRC).
  • Devices will be held by the school until the disciplinary consequence is complete. Parents or guardians may retrieve the device only after the consequence has ended.

Medical Exceptions

Students with medical documentation requiring access to a phone will be issued non-locking pouches.

We appreciate your support in creating a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions. If you have any questions about the new policy, please contact your child’s school.