At the start of the 2024-25 school year, Warrensburg CSD will introduce a policy restricting the use of cell phones. This policy supports the safety and mental health of students and minimizes disruptions during the school day. Students will not be permitted to use phones during the school day, with some specific exceptions. This policy is being implemented for several reasons, the most important being an improvement to the student experience.

See the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about this policy below.

Why is the district adopting a policy to restrict cell phone use in school buildings?

Reducing screen time positively impacts students’ mental health and well-being. Research clearly links declines in teen mental health to time spent on social media. Devices are designed to be addictive. With this policy in place, students will benefit from being in an environment where no one is on a device, allowing them to build social skills and engage in personal interactions that benefit their mental health. 

Phones disrupt learning. More than half of all discipline incidents during the 2023-2024 school year were directly linked to social media and cell phones. This policy removes these distractions from learning and addresses a major cause of negative behavior.

Is Warrensburg CSD the only district adopting this policy?

No. The latest research shows that nationally, 77% of schools had some form of a cell phone ban. Districts across the country, including in New York State and our local area, have adopted these policies. All of them report positive outcomes in student learning, well-being, and a reduction in behavior issues. 

What should I do if I need to contact my child in an emergency, or they need to contact me?

In the case of a family emergency, you can contact the Main Office. Staff will assist in dismissing your student or getting a message to them in a supportive environment (with a counselor). You can simply call the Main Office, and they will call to your student’s location and have them sent down to the Main Office to be dismissed. In the case of an incident that could negatively impact a student, they will be sent to the Counseling Office where they can speak with you by phone with the support of mental health professionals to help students process any traumatic information.

• Jr./Sr. High School Main Office: (518) 623-2861
• Elementary School Main Office: (518) 623-9747

If your student has an emergency at school, you will be contacted directly (whether a health emergency, where contact comes from the Nurse’s Office, or a mental health emergency, when you would be contacted by the Counseling Office).

In the case of an emergency at school, every classroom has a phone, and any staff or student can dial 911 from these phones. Law enforcement recommends this method, as many students calling 911 from their cell phones overwhelms the 911 call center and slows response time. 

What if I need to speak with my child about a non-emergency issue?

There are multiple ways to contact your child. Every student has access to email on their Chromebook, so you can email them about pickup after school, a change in plans, or any other issues. You can also call the Main Office and they can either pass a message on to your student or call them out of class to speak to you directly.

What if my student needs to contact me about a non-emergency issue?

There are still multiple ways for students to contact you while at school. They can email you, visit the Main Office to call you (using the contact information we have on file), or if there is sensitive information they need to speak with you about, they can go to the Counseling Office to phone you from there.

What does the policy require?

When students arrive at school, all mobile devices, except their district-issued Chromebook, must be turned off and locked in a Yondr pouch. This includes cell phones, smart watches, AirPods, earbuds, or wireless headphones. These devices must remain in the locked Yondr pouch until the end of the school day at 2:55 p.m.

At 2:55 p.m., unlocking stations will be mounted near the exits so students can unlock their devices as they leave or head to after-school activities. 

What if my student forgets to unlock their device?

Students can return to school and use the unlocking device in the Main Office at any time during office hours.

How will my child receive their Yondr pouch?

During the first full week of school, students will each receive their own pouch with their name on it. After each student receives a Yondr pouch , students will keep this pouch for 3 years (similar to Chromebook policy). Students will receive a new Yondr pouch in 7th and 10th grade. If a student loses or damages a pouch, they will be charged for the replacement. As an alternative to using the pouch, students may leave their mobile devices in the Main Office. 

Students generally prefer to keep possession of their mobile devices, which provides an incentive to take care of and remember to bring their Yondr pouch to school.  

How much will this cost the district?

The district is using grant funds for this purchase, therefore there is no cost to the taxpayers and no reduction in other areas of our locally adopted school budget.

What if my students goes to an external program or is dismissed early?

There is a Yondr station in the Main Office. If a student is dismissed early, they will be able to unlock their devices before leaving.

Students leaving for BOCES or ECCA / New Visions are provided with an opportunity to unlock their Yondr pouch as they exit the building. 

Will my student be able to listen to music?

Students will be able to listen to music using their Chromebook and headphones or earbuds with wires when permitted by staff. Wireless headphones or earbuds are required to be kept in their Yondr pouch or in the Main Office. 

What if a student does not put a device in their Yondr pouch or has a second phone?

If any mobile device is seen outside of a locked Yondr pouch during the school day (from building entry until 2:55 p.m.), the student will be required to hand over the mobile device to a staff member. The device will be kept in the Main Office and returned to the student at the end of the school day. 

If there is a second incident of any device seen outside of a locked Yondr pouch during the school day, the device will be kept in the Main Office until a parent or guardian comes to school to retrieve the device. 

If there is a third incident of any device seen outside of a locked Yondr pouch during the school day, the student will be required to check into the Main Office upon arrival at school for four school weeks to ensure that all of their mobile devices are locked in their Yondr pouch.

Failure to comply with this district policy may result in additional behavior consequences as noted in the Parent-Student Handbook. 

What if my child does not bring a mobile device to school?

The Main Office has a form parents can complete and sign stating that their child does not bring any mobile devices to school. This would allow the student to enter and exit without having their Yondr pouch, bags, or pockets checked.

What if my child needs their phone for medical reasons?

The district has an application process for a medical exemption - this is granted in cases where access to the device is medically necessary. This must be requested by a physician identifying a treatment plan that indicates a genuine medical need.

Will staff be using Yondr pouches as well as students?

Adult staff in the building will be provided with non-locking Yondr pouches that enable them to access their phone for professional reasons (two-factor authentication for school devices, for example). Staff will not be permitted to use their phones for personal purposes in front of students.