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Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District

Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District News Article

Information on Cell Phone Bags for Middle Schools

August 16, 2024

Dear CH-UH Middle School Staff & Families,

We hope this message finds you well. As we shared in July, we are implementing the use of Yondr pouches this year for our middle school students. The purpose of this initiative is to create a more focused, positive learning environment by eliminating cell phone usage during school hours. This decision was made following the parent meetings held in April, discussions with our Safe Schools Advisory Committee, and visits to area schools that currently use Yondr pouches.

The Yondr pouch manufacturer has informed us that they are experiencing a delay in getting the products to us, and we will not have them by the first day of school. They expect that the pouches should arrive by the end of August. However, it is vital that we start the school year with a similar routine for our students and ensure that we meet our core goal of keeping phones out of the learning environment. Therefore, we have developed the interim plan outlined below.

Arrival

  • Each grade level is assigned an entry door (lists for each school are below).

  • Starting on the first day of school (staggered start dates by grade level are below), students who bring their phones to school will be required to place them in a mesh zippered bag, which will be provided by the school. The school will also provide the students with a card to write their name on and keep in the device bag.

  • Smartwatches, tablets, headphones, and any other Bluetooth-enabled devices will also be collected. 

  • Because the bags cannot be locked, instead of remaining with the student as a Yondr pouch would, the student will place their bag in a bin according to their last name. Each grade level will have its own set of bins.

  • The bins will be locked in a secure location during the school day.

Dismissal  

  • Each grade level is assigned an exit door (lists for each school are below).

  • Each set of bins will be placed by the exit door according to grade level and monitored by staff. Students will be given their device bag from the bin before exiting.

  • Bus riders are dismissed 5 minutes early to get their belongings from their locker and retrieve their device bag before exiting.

  • Students will not be permitted to use their phones or other devices until they are out of the building.

Additional important points:

  • Students will be responsible for bringing their device bag and ID card back on days they bring their phone or other device to school.

  • Our school and staff are not liable if a device is broken, lost, stolen, etc., so the best plan is to leave it at home.

  • Additional District staff will be on hand during arrival and dismissal to assist as we roll out this new procedure.

  • If you need to pick up your child early from school and their device is secured, a staff member will retrieve the phone from the secured location to give to you.

  • We understand the importance of being able to reach your child in case of an emergency. Rest assured, our schools are equipped with reliable communication systems to ensure that you can contact the school and your child can reach you if necessary.

We believe that this plan will enable your child to start the year off without the distraction of their phone and allow us all to build a positive school climate together.  

Monticello Doors:

Arrival

Grade 6: Main Entrance/Security Door

Grade 7: Door 7

Grade 8: Door 5

Dismissal

Grade 6: Door 2

Grade 7: Door 8

Grade 8: Door 1


Bus Riders will pick up phones from the cafeteria as they are walking to their bus.


Roxboro Doors:

Arrival

6th grade: Door 6 (tennis courts)

7th grade: Door 1 (main office/oval doors)

8th grade: Door 9 (auditorium/pillar doors)

Dismissal

6th grade: Door 6 (tennis courts)

7th grade: Door 1 (main office/oval doors)

8th grade: Door 9 (auditorium/pillar doors)


Staggered Start Dates:

August 21: 6th graders only

August 22: 7th graders only

August 23: 8th graders only

August 26: All students report


We will continue to update you as necessary about these procedures and the next steps for the Yondr pouches. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we strive to create a more focused and engaging learning environment for our students.

Sincerely,

Liz Kirby

Superintendent 


Curtis Walker

Monticello Middle School Principal 


Rebekah Sharpe

Roxboro Middle School Principal

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