Dear HMS Parents
The Dekalb County School District is implementing a Cell Phone Pouch program for students. This is a pilot program being rolled out at Henderson Middle School and other DCSD schools. Our school will be a phone-free space to improve teaching and learning using a program called Yondr. Yondr has been implemented in thousands of schools across 27 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment. This program will be begin at Henderson Middle School on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
We believe that phones have great utility. We have also found that learning and student mental health improve drastically when students are fully present 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 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.
In an annual survey of over 1,200 of schools that implemented the Yondr Program:
- 86% saw a positive impact in student safety and wellness
- 84% saw a positive change in student engagement
- 72% saw a positive change in student behavior
- 68% saw a positive change in academic performance
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly at (678) 874-2902. Please Click on the links below for more information on the implementation of this initiative. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Rochelle Patillo
Principal
How Yonder Works