CELL PHONE POLICY/YONDR POUCHES FAQ

The information below was updated on August 7, 2025

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, the Jr/Sr High School will require all students to secure their electronic devices in Yondr Pouches provided by the District. 

Why is the Jr/Sr High School introducing Yondr pouches?
Starting in September 2025, under the direction of Governor Hochul, all schools in NYS will be required to implement a bell-to-bell internet-enabled device-free policy. This means that students will not be permitted to use internet-enabled devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, or any other device capable of connecting to the internet during the school day while on school grounds.

At Waterford-Halfmoon, "Internet-Enabled Devices" has been expanded to include all "Electronic Devices" including but not limited to: cellular phones (both "smart phones" and call/text phones only), tablets, smartwatches, wired or wireless headphones and earbuds, walkie-talkies, personal digital assistants (PDA), pagers, laptops with two-way messaging, other hand-held computing devices (when such is being used as a communication device), and internet-connected accessories, e-readers, voice recorders, cameras, music devices and fitness trackers. This definition shall also include any new device developed for communicating via voice, text, or images/video. 

Any District-provided or approved devices for instructional purposes (example: Chromebooks) are excluded from this definition.

The District views this as an opportunity to reduce distractions in the classroom and enhance overall student engagement, mental health, and wellbeing.

Click here to view Board of Education Policy 7316: Use Of Electronic Devices During The School Day

How is the "school day" defined?
"School day" means the entirety of every instructional day, as required by subdivision 7 of the Education Law, Section 3604, during all instructional time and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time. The end of the Jr./Sr. High school day is 2:20 PM. Students who leave school before 2:20 PM will be able to unlock their Yondr pouches as they exit.

How are "school grounds" defined?
​​​"School ground" means in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the boundary line of the school district.

What is a Yondr pouch?
The Yondr Pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual's electronic device or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a special magnetic locking device.

Requiring students to lock their phones away seems like a punishment for Jr/Sr high school students. Is this the case?
The introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure. The intention of Yondr is:

• To create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices; 
• To mitigate the negative impacts on all students of inappropriate device use at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and incidents involving mobile phones that detract from a healthy school climate, and to foster meaningful face-to-face connections between students.

How will students receive a Yondr pouch?
In September 2025, at the beginning of the school year, all students in grades 7-12 will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their phone, earbuds, smartwatch, and/or other personal electronic devices. The pouch is the property of the school and is considered on loan to the student.

Students are responsible for the Yondr pouch at all times and must bring it to and from school each day, as well as maintain its good condition.

Replacing Yondr pouches that are lost or damaged is the responsibility of the student and their family, at a cost of $30 per pouch.

How will the process work at arrival and dismissal?
Upon entering the school, students will silence and place all electronic devices in their Yondr pouch, which they will then lock in front of the designated staff. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the school day at several designated locations within the building.

My student attends BOCES CTE classes where Yondr pouches are not required. What will the process be for these students?
Students who attend BOCES CTE classes in the afternoon will be able to unlock their devices upon leaving the Jr/Sr High School. 

What if a student needs to leave the building before the regular dismissal time?
If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, students will be able to unlock their devices at school just before their departure. If a student returns to school during the instructional day, their Yondr pouch will be locked upon re-entry to the building. 

Will my student's phone and electronic devices be safe?
While stored in your student's Yondr pouch, phones and other electronic devices will never leave the possession of the students. The District is not responsible for stolen, lost, or damaged personal electronic devices brought to the school.

What if a parent or guardian needs to reach their child during the school day?
If parents/guardians need to communicate with or relay a message to your child during the school day, please call the main office at the Elementary School (518) 237-0800 ext. 3501 or the Jr./Sr. High School (518) 237-0800 ext. 3701.

What if a student needs to reach their parent or guardian during the school day?
Students can contact their parents or guardians during the school day by using the phone located in the Jr/Sr High School Office. 

What happens if there is an emergency at school?
Every classroom in the Jr/Sr high school is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. Our staff is trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. Students will follow the school's emergency procedures in the case of an emergency. Schools will communicate with parents through the District's notification and communication tools (ParentSquare messaging system).

What if a student does not comply or damages the locked case to access their phone?
Students who are found to unlock the pouches, cause damage to the pouch, refuse to use the pouch, or use an alternate phone will be subject to disciplinary action as follows: 

• Possession of an electronic device not stored in a Yondr Pouch during the school day:
• The first offense for a student who has possession of an electronic device during the day after main entry:
• Warning and parent contact. 
• *Student device(s) will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the day.

For a second offense of a student who has possession of an electronic device during the day after main entry: 

• The student's parent/guardian will be contacted. The student's parent/guardian must pick up the items from the school at the end of the day.  
• An after-school detention will be assigned to the student. 
• *Student device(s) will be confiscated.  

The third offense of a student who has possession of an electronic device during the day after main entry:

• The student's parent/guardian will be contacted.  The student's parent/guardian must pick up the items from the school at the end of the day. 
• Two after-school detentions will be assigned to the student.  
• *Student device(s) will be confiscated. 

Any further offenses of a student who has possession of an electronic device during the day after main entry: 

• The student's parent/guardian will be contacted.  The student's parent/guardian must pick up the items from the school at the end of the day.  
• In-School Suspension(s) will be assigned to the student for their continued insubordination.  
• For the next month, the student must secure their electronic devices in their Yondr Pouch in front of an administrator or designee, and their Yondr Pouch will be stored in a secure office until the end of the day. 
• *Student device(s) will be confiscated. 

*Refusal to turn in their device(s) will result in immediate In-School Suspension for Insubordination.

If a student refuses to pouch their cell phone and/or electronic devices:

• The student will be assigned In-School Suspension until they agree to store their device(s) in their Yondr Pouch.  Students are expected to work on assignments from their classes and follow the expectations posted in the ISS Room. 

Damage to Yondr Pouch/Loss of Yondr Pouch:

• The Yondr Pouch is the property of the school and is considered on loan to the student.
• Any act of vandalism or destruction of school property will not be tolerated.  Actions that violate this will be addressed and consequences given through the Code of Conduct. 

What happens if a student doesn't have their Yondr Pouch?
The student's phone and/or electronic devices will be turned over to the main office staff until the end of the school day. At the end of the school day, students will retrieve their phones.

What if a student needs their personal device for a medical issue?
Students with a documented medical condition who require a personal electronic device for monitoring their condition will be provided with a non-locking Yondr pouch featuring a Velcro seal. Healthcare exceptions must include documentation from an appropriate healthcare professional.

What if a student needs their personal device for a translation device?
Students requiring translation devices may be provided with district-owned translation devices. Students may be granted permission to use their device if a district-provided translation device is not available or provided. 

How does the exception of caring for a family member work?
The District may authorize student use of a personal electronic device on a case-by-case basis if a student is a caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and wellbeing of a family member. This exception may only be allowed upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor.

What if a student requires the use of an electronic device as part of their IEP/504 plan?
Electronic devices required on a student's IEP/504 plan for assistive technology may be provided by the District.  Students may be granted permission to use their device for the purpose listed on their IEP/504 plan if a district-provided device for assistive technology is not available or provided.

Will students who demonstrate a need for an exception to the law still be required to store their devices throughout the day, or will they be allowed to use these devices as they wish due to their exemption?
Even if a student demonstrates a need for an exception to the law, they are still required and expected to store their devices during the day. These exceptions do not automatically provide students with unrestricted access to personal electronic devices throughout the entire day; however, accommodations will be made to allow students access as required.

How will students be able to contact their families in the event of a lockdown or other school emergency?
Students and staff at all schools practice lockdown drills four times a year. Students and staff are instructed to be silent during a lockdown. The response action guidelines outlined in the District's building-level safety plan include a community notification plan for all emergencies. This notification plan includes, first and foremost, providing information to parents and guardians of students in the building.

What if my child is at school and needs to call 911?
Every classroom is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. There are no codes or prefixes needed to dial 911. Anyone can dial 911 directly.

Why can't students just be allowed to keep their electronic devices in their pockets or backpacks?
The legislative intent is to restrict students' access to electronic devices for non-permitted reasons. Student possession of devices, whether on their person or in backpacks alone, is insufficient to prohibit student use as defined by the law.

Why can't students keep their electronic devices in their lockers?
The law allows schools to utilize lockers as a dedicated storage method; however, to be in compliance with the law, the District must monitor and ensure that there is no unsanctioned use of personal electronic devices throughout the entire school day. Allowing continuous and unsupervised student access to devices when stored in a locker would not meet the law's objective of prohibiting unsanctioned use across the school day and school grounds.

Will teachers also be using the Yondr pouches?
All teachers and staff at the Jr./Sr. High school will be provided with a Yondr pouch featuring a Velcro closure. Teachers and staff will be encouraged to model responsible cell phone use for students.

If a student forgets to unlock the pouch before leaving the building, is there a way for students to unlock it – i.e., an unlock station outside the school building?
There will be an unlocking station outside the main entrance of the building. If the student forgets to unlock their pouch, they will be able to return to school and unlock it.

What if there is a building-wide emergency and students are unable to return to the building? How will they open their Yondr pouch?
Mobile unlocking devices will be available for these types of circumstances. 

If the Yondr pouch is lost or damaged, who is responsible for replacement?
Students will ultimately be responsible for the care of their Yondr pouch. If a student intentionally damages or loses their pouch, they will be responsible for replacement costs ($30 per pouch) and may face disciplinary consequences. 

As the new school year gets underway, the District will provide families and students with replacement protocols.

Will each teacher be able to unlock the pouches?
No. Individual teachers will not be able to unlock the pouches.

How many Yondr stations will there be, and where will they be located?
The District has consulted with staff from Yondr to determine the appropriate number and locations of unlocking devices throughout the building. Safety, efficiency, and effectiveness will be top priorities in locating the unlocking devices. 

Do the Yondr pouches block cell signals or the internet?
Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet. 

How will students know whose Yondr pouch belongs to whom?
When the school year begins, the pouches will be distributed, and each Jr/Sr high school student will be assigned a numbered pouch. Students are encouraged to keep their pouches with them at all times.

Will the Elementary School also be using Yondr pouches?
No. At the elementary school, all student' electronic devices must be kept at home or silenced and stored in their assigned classroom cubby from the start of the school day until the end.  

The information above doesn't answer my questions. How can I submit a question about Yondr pouches?
The Yondr FAQs will be updated as the implementation gets underway in 2025-2026. If you have a question regarding the implementation of Yondr pouches at the Jr/Sr High School, please call the high school office at 518-237-0800, ext. 3701.