Polk County High School and Polk County Early College will begin using Yondr pouches Oct. 20 to help maintain a phone-free learning environment during school hours.
All students at both schools will be assigned a personal Yondr pouch to securely store their phones each day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will maintain possession of their phones at all times, but will be unable to access them during the school day.
Students will place their devices in the lockable pouch daily by 8 a.m. At dismissal, students will unlock their pouches in their last-period class or in the front office. Students who need to leave school early can unlock their pouches at any station before exiting campus.
The Polk County Community Foundation is providing funding to purchase the pouches.
The initiative supports the district’s wireless communication device policy, which the Polk County Board of Education adopted unanimously in August. The policy aligns with North Carolina Session Law 2025-38, which requires all public school districts to establish wireless communication device policies by Jan. 1, 2026.
The phone-free environment is designed to reduce distractions, improve classroom focus and encourage healthier social interactions among students.
Of note:
* Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or internet connectivity.
* Students are responsible for their assigned pouches. If a pouch is lost or damaged, students must either leave their phone in the office each day or pay a $30 replacement fee.
* Parents and guardians can continue to communicate with students during the school day through school offices. In emergencies, school staff will contact families immediately.
Yondr partners with thousands of schools across 48 countries to implement phone-free learning environments.
