The Yondr Pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual’s mobile device or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a special magnetic locking device.

We are seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, achievement, mental health, and well-being.

In January 2025, all South students will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phone and/or smartwatch. The pouch is the property of the school and is considered on loan to the student during the school year. Students are responsible for the Yondr pouch at all times and for bringing the pouch to and from school each day and keeping them in good condition.

Upon entering school, students will turn their phone off (or place it on silent), place the phone inside the Yondr pouch, and lock it in front of the designated staff. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the school day at several designated locations within the building.

Yes. Phones will either remain in the possession of the students or placed in their locked locker.

If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, work assignment, athletic event, 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.

We understand that important information may need to be shared with your child during the school day. Parents may contact the main office at 847- 546-9336 to speak with their child if the need arises. Or, a message can be delivered to the student. Parents may also feel free to text their child a message that will be waiting for them when they access their phone at the end of the school day. 

In the event of an emergency, we would make every effort to unlock student phones as quickly as we are able (which could be different depending on the emergency) so they can contact parents/guardians. Before that can happen, though, every location in the school is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. Our staff is also trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. 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. 

These situations will be handled on a case by case basis. The ultimate goal will be to help our students make better decisions in the future, should any damage be deemed intentional.

The phone will be turned into the main office staff and secured in a safe place until the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, students will retrieve their phone at the front office.

Students who have a documented medical condition and who need a personal device for monitoring their condition will be provided with a non-locking Yondr pouch that has a velcro seal.

Students and staff practice lockdown drills annually. Students and staff are instructed to be silent and attentive during a lockdown. Notifications from cell phones and/or communication on cell phones often times increase the risk to all students and staff during a lockdown. Our safety plan has a community notification procedure for all emergency situations. This notification plan prioritizes communicating with parents and guardians with accurate and important information.

Every classroom is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. There are no codes or prefixes needed to dial outside of the district. Anyone can dial direct.

The school introduced a cell phone policy in the Fall of 2022 that attempted to limit cell phone use in the classroom and hallways and limit overall distractions. However, enforcement of this practice becomes the burden of classroom teachers when students do not comply and valuable instructional time is lost as these issues are addressed.

No, the introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure. The intention of Yondr is three-fold:

• to create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices; 

• to 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; and

• to increase meaningful face-to-face connections between students.

There will be an unlocking station outside the building. If the student forgets to unlock their pouch, they will be able to return to school at any time and utilize that magnet.

Students will ultimately be responsible for the care of their Yondr pouch. If a student intentionally damages or loses the pouch, they will be responsible for paying for the replacement of $30.

Staff from Yondr will be consulting with the district prior to winter break to determine the most appropriate locations in the school for the unlocking devices. Safety, efficiency and effectiveness will be top priorities in locating the unlocking devices. 

Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet.

Each student will be assigned a numbered pouch. If lost, we’ll have a record of who the pouch belongs to if or when found.

The district will use quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of Yondr in improving the student experience. This includes Panorama data,  E-Hall Pass Data, Illinois Youth Survey data, discipline referrals, as well as faculty and staff feedback.

No. Gavin Central will not be using Yondr Pouches. However, our two closest neighbors at Stanton Middle School in Fox Lake and Big Hollow Middle School in Ingleside implemented these pouches at the start of the 24-25 school year and are having good success with it.

The Yondr FAQs will be updated as the implementation gets underway in 2025. If you have a question regarding the implementation of Yondr pouches, please contact our principal, Jason Jurgaitis at jjurgaitis@gavin37.org and/or our superintendent, Scott Schwatz, at sschwartz@gavin37.org.