Electronic Device Policy: Cell Phone/Head Phone/Ear Buds/Smart Watch

Electronic device procedures are designed to provide a learning environment that is conducive to teaching and learning without the interference of cell phones/ headphones/ earbuds. Shaw High School does not permit the use of any electronic device during the school day (Hallways, Classrooms, Cafeteria, and Gym) other than the Muscogee County School District-issued Chromebooks.

We will advise students to store the pouch with phone inside in their clear bag (see clear bag dimensions) and/or lockers where it is completely safe. (4:00 p.m.) The violation of this rule will lead to the confiscation  of Cellphones/ Earbuds / Head Phones/etc.

If your student must call home, a telephone will be available in the attendance office. Health concerns can be addressed using the telephone in the nurse’s office. In the case of a family emergency, the office staff will certainly give your child a message or have him/her return your call.

Note: Shaw policy requires a five-day in-school intervention/or out-of-school suspension for any student who refuses to turn over the electronic device(s) when requested by the teacher and/or administrator. (Parent must meet with Administration before the student returns to school). 

MCSD personnel cannot search for personal items lost or suspected stolen while at school.  This specifically applies to electronic items brought by students to school. MCSD personnel will not be responsible for the value of an item in the event of unintentional damage, loss, or theft while at school.  

Items confiscated will be logged and secured until a scheduled parent meeting with Administration. This is an appointment-based meeting and will be scheduled through the Attendance Office.

• Warning:  Electronic Devices will be confiscated and submitted to the Administrative Office. The student will conference with Administration and the parent/guardian will be contacted. The parent MUST call the Attendance Office to set an appointment to meet with Administration, and the electronic device will be returned to the parent at the end of the meeting.
• First Offense:  Electronic Devices will be confiscated and submitted to the Administrative Office. The student will be assigned Evening/Saturday School or Community Service. The parent MUST call the Attendance Office to set an appointment to meet with Administration (Restorative Practice Meeting), and the electronic device will be returned to the parent at the end of the meeting.
• Second Offense:  Electronic Devices will be confiscated and submitted to the Administrative Office. Students will be assigned In-School Intervention for two days. The parent MUST call the Attendance Office to set an appointment to meet with Administration (Restorative Practice Meeting), and the electronic device will be returned to the parent at the end of the meeting.
• Third Offense: Electronic Devices will be submitted to the Administrative Office. The student will be assigned Out of School Suspension for two days. The parent MUST call the Attendance Office to set an appointment to meet with Administration (Restorative Practice Meeting), and the electronic device will be returned to the parent at the end of the meeting. (Student cannot return to school without parent meeting)
• Fourth Offense & Beyond: Electronic Devices will be submitted to the Administrative Office. The student will be assigned Out-School Suspension (# of days will be at the discretion of the administration). The student will be placed on the electric device banned list. The parent MUST call the Attendance Office to set an appointment to meet with Administration (Restorative Practice Meeting), and the electronic device may be picked up at the end of the school year. (Student cannot return to school without parent meeting)
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Yondr Bag

How Yondr Works:  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 locking device.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why is the school introducing Yondr pouches?

• Shaw High School is seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, communication skills, mental health, and well-being. Cell phone usage has been banned for the previous two years; however, this product will allow the students to remain in possession of their cell phones throughout the school day.

 

How will students receive a Yondr pouch?

• After completing the onboarding with parents, students and teachers/staff, all students will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phone and earbuds. 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.

 

How will the process work at arrival and dismissal?

DAILY PROCESS

Before students Arrive at School, they will:

1. Turn their phone off.
2. Place their phone and earbuds inside their Pouch and secure and lock it.
3. Store their Pouch in their clear clutch style bag (no larger than 12” H x 8″ L x 3″W.), in assigned locker, or student can carry Pouch from class to class.
4. First period teachers will check that the student’s phone is in their pouch and that the pouch is locked and not damaged.
5. At the end of the day, students will report to the magnet stations placed around the school to open their Pouch, remove their phone and put their Pouch in their bag. Students must bring their Pouch to school with them each day. 

*Students arriving late or leaving early will pouch/unpouch their phones at the attendance Office.

 

Will my student’s phone be safe?

Students are in possession of their phone – in their Yondr pouch – for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their clear bag (see dimensions above) and/or lockers where it is completely safe.

 

What if a student needs to leave the building before dismissal?

If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, athletic event, or school sponsored trip, students will be able to unlock their pouches in the attendance office or with their assigned sponsor in a designated location at school 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/guardian wants to reach their child during the school day?

We want our students to be engaged in their learning, but we understand that emergencies will occur. If you need to contact your child during the school day, call the main office or the attendance office at 706-569-3638. Parents may also email student through their MCSD email. There are phones in every classroom and office in the school. In addition, all students have access to their Chromebooks throughout the day. Parents can email their students directly in addition to calling the school.

 

What if there is a school emergency?

All teachers are equipped with a Centegix Badge that directly notifies emergency services, administration, and our school resource officer. In addition, our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. We will direct students to safety first. Students and staff follow our school’s emergency preparedness protocols. Communication with parents will occur through the district’s mass notification and communication tools.  During lockdowns, students and staff are instructed to be silent. The response action guidelines outlined in the building-level safety plan will be followed with community notification for all emergency situations.

 

What if the Yondr pouch gets damaged or a student is caught on their phone?

The Yondr pouch is property of the school. If a student damages their pouch or is caught on their phone, they will be subject to disciplinary action. The phone will be collected and the administration will follow the tiered discipline procedures below:

• Warning- Electronic device confiscated+ Parent Must Schedule a time to Pickup electronic device (Attendance Office) & meeting with administration.
• 1st Offense – Electronic device confiscated + Scheduled Parent Restorative Practice Meeting on assigned meeting days + electronic device will be returned after Restorative Practice Meeting on assigned meeting days+ Community Service/Evening or Saturday School.
• 2nd Offense – Electronic device confiscated + In School Intervention (2 days ISI) + Scheduled Parent Restorative Practice Meeting on assigned meeting days (Student will remain in ISI until the parent meeting occurs and electronic device picked up by parent) + electronic device will be returned after Restorative Practice Meeting on assigned meeting days.
• 3rd Offense – Electronic device confiscated + Out of School Suspension (2 days OSS) due to blatant defiance + Scheduled Parent Restorative Practice Meeting (Student will remain in OSS until the parent meeting occurs and electronic device picked up by parent) + electronic device will be returned after Restorative Practice Meeting on assigned meeting days.
• 4th Offense and any thereafter – Electronic device confiscated + Out of School Suspension (OSS) due to blatant defiance (# of days OSS will be at the discretion of the administration) + Scheduled Parent Restorative Practice Meeting (Student will remain in OSS until the parent meeting occurs and electronic device picked up by parent) + electronic device will be returned after Restorative Practice Meeting on assigned meeting days + Student will not be allowed to bring any electronic device to school and will be placed on the Student Ban List.

Shaw policy requires a five-day in-school intervention/or out-of-school suspension for any student who refuses to turn over the electronic device(s) when requested by the teacher and/or administrator. (Parent must meet with Administration before the student returns to school). 

If a student damages or loses the assigned pouch, a $30 replacement fee will be charged to the student each time.

Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school or Yondr staff.

 

Deep scratches on the globe and on the green ring around it Intentional pen marks on the inside of the Pouch Bent pins Pin and button not fully recessing, due to pin damage Any other damages identified by administration.

 

What happens if a student doesn’t have their Yondr pouch?

Upon entering the building, the phone should immediately be turned in to the main office staff.  The phone will be secured in the school until the end of the school day at which time the voluntarily turned in phone will be returned to the student. If this becomes a habitual problem, administration discretion will apply which could possibly include: Community Service, In School Intervention, Yondr Bag Replacement charge, Suspension, Parent Meeting.

**If the phone is seen outside the Yondr bag, the discipline procedures listed above will be enforced. 

 

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 an alternate pouch which has immediate access.

 

Why can’t the school just implement a zero-tolerance policy and allow students to keep their phones put away?

Some students have demonstrated time and time again that they will not comply with simply putting their phones away. Enforcement of this becomes a burden of the classroom teachers when students do not comply and valuable instructional time is lost.

 

Will students still be able to listen to music?

Students will be able to use headphones with cords to connect to their Chromebooks. All Bluetooth devices, including AirPods and other wireless headphones must be stored in the Yondr pouch.  Headphones that do not fit in the Yondr bag should not be brought into Shaw High School, to include: Beats and Beats style over the head headphones.

 

Will teachers follow the same cell-phone expectations?

Teachers and staff will model responsible cell-phone use and not use their cell-phones in the presence of students during the instructional day.

 

What happens if a student forgets to unlock their pouch before leaving the building?

The school has many afterschool programs and athletic events. If the building is still open, students can return to unlock their pouch.

 

Can teachers have students use their personal devices for instructional purposes?

At this time, non-MCSD issued electronic devices should not be used during the instructional day.

 

Do the Yondr Pouches block cell signals or the internet?

The Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet. Students are expected to turn their devices off before putting them in their Yondr pouch.

 

What if I have additional questions?

The Yondr FAQs will be updated as the implementation begins. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly. Call 706-569-3638 or email the building principal at hendrick.sureya.z@muscogee.k12.ga.us.