In 2019 Frankford High School partnered with Yondr to support our school community in an effort to provide a distraction free educational environment. Yondr provides our school with Yondr bags for every student in order to ensure that students have a safe place to keep their electronic devices during school hours. Research has shown that a cell phone\smart watch free learning environment increases student engagement, an increase in academic achievement and improvement in student behavior.
We understand that cell phones have great utility, but cell phone use has increasingly become a source of distraction, antisocial behavior and conflict both at home and at school. Frankford High School believes in maintaining a safe and effective educational environment for all of its students.
Research shows that the mere presence of cellphones in the classroom can be detrimental to student performance. According to a survey and report from Common Sense Media that involved 1,240 interviews with parents and their 12 to 18-year-old children, 50% of teens feel attached to their mobile devices, and 59% of their parents agree that their kids have a problem putting their devices down (U.S. News & World Report).
Yondr is currently used across the world in hundreds of classrooms and schools, at concerts, comedy shows, weddings and special events of all kinds. The goal of these spaces is to encourage people to engage with each other and their surroundings. The Yondr program employs a simple, easy-to-use case that stores a cell phone and requires an unlocking base to open.
We believe this will allow our students to be:
• Engaged in classroom activities and assignments
• Less dependent on electronics to do classwork
• Less likely to engage in conversations around bullying
• Less likely to be distracted and procrastinate on assignments in class
In an effort to best serve your child, we will need your full support in the adoption of the Electronic Device Policy at our school. We want to assure our families that you can reach your student at the main office at 215-400-7200 in case of an emergency.
On the first day of school every student will be issued a Yondr bag. Upon entering the building, students will put their electronic devices inside of the Yondr bag, lock the bag and keep it in their possession all day. Students refusing to cooperate prior to entering into school will be denied entry (not suspended) by the principal/designee until such time as they choose to comply. At the end of the day, students will be able to unlock their Yondr bag at one of the unlocking stations located at the exits of the building.
Cell phones are prohibited. If you are found to be in possession of an electronic device not in a locked Yondr bag, it will be confiscated and locked in a safe. It will only be returned to a parent or guardian (listed in SIS), from the Welcome Center, between the hours of 2:45p.m. – 3:30p.m. Students still refusing to cooperate prior to entry into school will then be denied entry (not suspended) by the principal/designee until such time as they choose to comply.
2nd offense :
If you are found to be in possession of an electronic device not in a locked Yondr bag, the phone will be confiscated and locked in a safe. It will only be returned to a parent or guardian (listed in SIS) at the end of the marking period.
3rd offense :
If you are found to be in possession of a phone not in a locked Yondr bag, the phone will be confiscated and locked in a safe. It will only be returned to a parent or guardian (listed in SIS), on the last day of the school year.
What if I want to reach my student during the school day? We want our students to be engaged in their learning. Please refrain from contacting your student during the school day unless it is an emergency. Please contact the main office at 215-400-7200 to reach your student.
What if there is an emergency? In case of an emergency, we direct our students to safety first. School staff will be able to unlock a Yondr case in a matter of seconds for students once they are in a safe and secure location.
Will my student’s phone be safe? Yes, because students are in possession of their phone in the Yondr case and should keep the case stored away in their backpacks.
What if the case gets damaged? If a student damages or loses their Yondr case, they will be required to submit their phone to a school official immediately. The student’s parent or guardian will have to retrieve the phone from Frankford High School between 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM. The Yondr case is the property of Frankford High School. Any damage to or loss of school property will result in a replacement charge of $10.
Thank you for your continued support in this matter. Should you have any further questions please contact your child’s Climate Support Specialist.
9th Grade – Ms. Nagbe (lnagbe@philasd.org)
10th Grade – Mr. Albertie (salberite@philasd.org)
11th Grade – Mr. Brockington (dbrockington@philasd.org)
