MUSD reports overall positive effects and compliance with new cell phone policy

At last Tuesday’s MUSD meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Amy Woods reported an overall positive response to the prohibitive cell phone policy called the Yonder Pouch Deployment Initiative. With a soft introduction last May, MUSD students at MUSD’s four secondary schools must now keep their cell phones locked in the provided Yonder pouch during classroom hours.

The staff at La Contenta reported only four violations of the policy so far that have resulted in a campus supervisor bringing the student’s phone to the office for the remainder of the day. La Contenta staff have found approximately ten pouches that were legitimately defective and Yonder was notified and have since replaced them. Some staff reported that there are fewer requests to use the bathroom because students cannot use the phone in the bathroom.

Twentynine Palms High School reports that the drastic reduction in classroom distractions and disruptions has been notable. At lunch students are socializing and conversing rather than scrolling or gaming. Several students have remarked that they are enjoying the reduction of screen time and teachers have positives to say about the effects so far.

Yucca Valley High School reports that they have not seen phones in class and if they do see a wayward phone, it is usually outside of class. Teachers have seen more student engagement and productivity. They had a very small number of student and parent complaints and most students our compliant when they are found violating the cell phone policy and they only need a first warning. However, twelve students are on their second offense and have signed contracts with parents who have had to come pick up their child’s phone.

Twentynine Palms Junior High deployed their Yonder pouches during orientation. Staff checks during first period to make sure the students are utilizing the pouch and there have been some surprise inspections. There have been a few students who have needed several reminders of the new policy but overall, they report the initiative is currently going well and there is support from the parents.