Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year Arkansas Arts Academy is joining countless other school districts across the state and nation and will enforce a no-phone "Disconnect to Reconnect" cell phone policy. Restricting access throughout the school day. Through this initiative, AAA strives to address the growing trend among students with;
attention fragmentation- lack of ability to stay on a task
decreasing attention spans
phone addiction
distractions through continual phone notifications
unmonitored and unrestricted information delivered during the school day
decline in the development of social skills in students
reducing cyberbullying
disassociation
student anxiety, depression, mental health crises based on texts and social media posts during the school day
Arkansas Arts Academy, participating in the state wide cell phone initiative being led by the Arkansas Department of Education. AAA has requested the state provided funds to purchase the Yondr pouches for students in 5-12 grades.
Until the pouches arrive, AAA will pilot the program without the pouches to monitor students ability to achieve our goal of no smart devices during the school day.
If students demonstrate they are capable of following all rules and not violating the policy- AAA will consider only using pouches for students that remain non-compliant. Data will be continually collected, monitored and reported to evaluate next steps.
Questions & Answers
What is a Yondr pouch?
Yondr is the established industry leader in helping educators, artists, families, organizations, and businesses all around the world create phone-free spaces of their own.
Yondr is a secure bag that is used to store an individual’s mobile device, devices, apple watch, wireless earbuds, etc.
AAA has witnessed post-covid, a dramatic increase in cyberbullying, excessive phone use in the classroom, attention fragmentation in academic classes, continual phone infractions during the school day, increase in counseling services due to social media posts, increase in anxiety among students and requests from teachers to have a stronger cell phone policy so they are able to teach. AAA wants to limit distractions and improve students' mental health and well-being. All of our students deserve learning equity. The Arkansas Department of Education under the direction of Governor Sarah Sanders is funding this program to evaluate the effectiveness of a cell free school environment and the impact it has on our students health and development.
When will this start? When will the Yondr pouches arrive?
The cell phone policy will start with the first day of school, as in our student handbook. As a reminder, the policy already existed- however it was not consistently enforced by all teachers. AAA is unsure when the pouches will arrive, but will notify students and parents of the decision to use once we have had time to monitor students during the first 9 weeks of school.
How will students be given a Yondr pouch?
If AAA decides to use the pouches, they will be passed out during the first period. Students will be assigned a pouch with a corresponding letter and number. They are responsible for the pouch for the entire year. If it is lost, the student will need to replace the pouch at their own cost. $30.00 If students fail to bring the pouch to school, they will receive disciplinary actions that will advance based on the number of occurrences.
How will the process work at arrival and dismissal?
Upon entering the school, students will turn off their smart devices (phones,watches, earbuds) or place them in airplane mode. Students will then place their smart devices in the Yondr pouch and lock it. During the first period (or the beginning of class for 5th-6th grade) teachers will do a check for Yondr locks. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the day at multiple designated exit locations within the building. There will be extensive training for the process if and/or when the pouches are used.
How is the “end of the day” defined?
The end of the day is at the dismissal bell. Students who leave school early or who need to check out for medical appointments will be able to unlock the pouch in the office upon check out.
How will AAA keep the phones safe?
The phones never leave the possession of the students. The pouches are padded and secure.
Will my student still be able to listen to music?
Students will be able to use headphones with cords to connect to their Chromebooks. They will be able to use the headphones for classroom work or for listening to music during free periods. All Bluetooth devices, including AirPods, smartwatches and other headphones, must be stored in the Yondr pouch.
My student is an introvert- how will my student feel comfortable at lunch?
Students who are introverted and struggle with being social, often retreat into their device and never get the ability to work on their communication skills and develop relationships with others which are necessary for college or career success. Students will have the ability to read, sketch, play games and other activities as we develop a safe and supportive non-phone environment at lunch. AAA is accepting continued donations of puzzles, board games, card games as we will provide entertainment options for students during lunch- along with music and student performances.
What if a student needs to leave the building before regular dismissal?
If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency or other school-sponsored trip, students will be able to unlock their devices at school just prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the building.
What if a parent or guardian needs to reach their child during the school day?
AAA understands that emergencies will occur and also want parents to feel connected to their students during the day. Parents may contact the main office to leave a message for their student or parents may email their student. Students use their Chromebook in almost all classes. By using email, it will also encourage students to check their emails, which will help them communicate with their teachers as well.
What happens if there is an emergency at school?
Our schools are equipped with classroom phones that can dial 911. Our staff is trained to protect students during emergencies. Students will follow the school’s emergency procedures in the case of an emergency. Schools will communicate with parents through the district’s mass notification and communication tools. Students should not be on their cell phones during safety emergencies, as they will miss important and potentially life saving directions.
What if a student does not comply or damages the locked case to access their phone?
Students who fail to comply with the phone policy will be disciplined based on the student handbook. No phones at school is not a new policy. The addition beginning this year is no smart devices out during passing periods and lunch. All teachers will uphold this policy.
If AAA moves to the use of the Yondr pouches, student who are found to unlock the pouches during the school day, cause damage to the pouch, or use an alternate phone will be subject to disciplinary action which may include suspension. Repeated occurrences that threaten the safety of our staff and students will be dealt with increased consequences. Parents will be notified and will be required to come to pick up the cell phone if AAA policies are repeatedly violated.
What if a student needs their personal device for a medical issue?
Students who have a documented medical condition and who need a personal device for monitoring their condition will be provided with a non-locking pouch that has a velcro or zipper seal. Students who use their phone to help with anxiety through the use of calming or soothing music, will be able to use apps on their computer which AAA is providing within their Clever account.
How will students be able to contact families if there is a safety lockdown?
Students and staff at all schools practice lockdown drills each year. Students and staff are instructed to be silent during a lockdown and follow all directions. AAA’s building-level safety plan has a community notification plan for all emergency situations. This notification plan includes first and foremost, parents and guardians of students in the building. The school or district office will notify parents in a real emergency situation. In addition, every classroom is equipped with a phone that can call 911.
AAA understands that parents want to reach their kids in the event of a school lockdown or emergency. However students being on their phones during an emergency crisis actually distracts students and puts them within increased danger. Students texting or calling during these events distracts them from the actions they need to be taking in the moment, such as running, hiding and listening to directions from first responders.
Why can’t AAA just maintain the zero-tolerance phone policy and allow students to keep their phones on but put away?
AAA has used many methods to limit cell phone use. However, enforcement of this practice becomes the burden of classroom teachers when students do not comply and valuable instruction time is lost as these issues are addressed. The main issues we are hoping to prevent have all arisen within the current policy of “no phones” and we must try something different.
This is not so much about restricting phones, but placing priority on students' academic focus, mental health, social/emotional growth and preparing them for the next steps beyond high school.
Why can’t the school just train students to control their impulses and not check their phones during the day?
AAA classroom teachers have a lot of responsibilities to teach students and prepare them for their next level of learning and high school graduation. Teachers who have already struggled with students and phones do not want this added responsibility. In addition, research indicates that the control center for impulse control (the frontal lobe) is not fully developed in school-aged children. Impulse control takes maturity, beyond high school, to fully develop. AAA will focus on giving students self-control challenges in which they can succeed, verses fail. In addition, peer pressure is at an all time high, which often supersedes the desire for self-control in students.
Why can’t the school just lock down social media while students are on campus?
AAA does not have the ability to manage families' individual phone accounts and smartphone apps. We do have firewalls on our school computers and closely monitor inappropriate technology use through a screening program called Go Guardian. However, AAA does not have access for student’s personal devices and we do not want it.
By creating a no-phone environment at AAA 5-12th grade, we are eliminating the ability for students to continually check their texts and social media feeds, as well as participate in phone app communications. “Studies have shown that students who use social media are at a higher risk of depression. Access to smartphones, texts and social media magnifies the issues of inclusion and acceptance- most students grapple with during the day. Face to face time with friends and classmates counteracts the isolating, depressive feelings that come up when looking at a screen” https://www.awayfortheday.org/
AAA school counselors have documented the increase of counseling requests, therapy interventions, mental health needs and self harm ideations based on social media and phone use during the school day.
Why does this seem like a punishment?
This is not a punishment, this is our community coming together to help students become productive in the classroom and as future adults in the workforce. Our students need to develop verbal communication skills and reduce screen time to reconnect with their teachers, creativity, peers and learning.
AAA wants to:
● create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices;
● reduce the negative impacts for all students of inappropriate use of devices at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and incidents involving mobile phones that detract from a healthy school climate;
● increase meaningful face-to-face connections between students and staff
AAA wants to provide students with the best possible learning and creative environment possible. Free of social media distraction.
Will students be able to put their personal email accounts on the district-owned Chromebooks?
No. Students will only be able to use their artsk12.org accounts on district-owned devices. All devices and networks owned by the district are monitored.
Will teachers be using the Yondr pouches as well?
All teachers and staff will keep phones out of sight. Teachers and staff will be encouraged to model responsible cell phone use for students. However teachers use our safety protocol ap Raptor, on their smartphone which alerts emergency personnel and our office staff in the event of a safety concern, sick student or any other crises situation.
What if there is a building-wide emergency and students are unable to return to the building, how will they open their Yondr pouch?
There will be mobile unlocking devices available for these types of circumstances. We will have plenty of unlocking devices and will have practiced processes.
What tools will the school use to help gauge effectiveness of the Yondr pouches?
The district will collect data to assess the effectiveness of no-phone school environments and/or Yondr in improving the student experience. This includes School Climate Survey data, discipline referrals, counselor referrals, academic data, as well as staff feedback.
Will other schools in the area be using Yondr pouches?
Many schools in our area are pursuing the pilot this year. As of August 2024, over 75% of Arkansas school districts have joined this pilot program. This includes our neighboring districts at Bentonville, Springdale, Fayetteville, Gravette, Pea Ridge as well as surrounding charter schools such as Lisa Academy and Founders Classical Academies and more. The participating districts and charters continue to grow.
Additional Resources
https://www.awayfortheday.org/
https://www.screenagersmovie.com/blog/teaching-kids-mindfulness-to-resist-screen-urges
https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/research
https://www.4029tv.com/article/aea-president-supports-phone-free-policy-in-schools/61858768