Frisby Middle pilot puts phones in magnetized pouches; staff report early gains in instruction and safety

Frisby Middle School administrators described a short pilot of magnet-secured phone pouches that requires students to deposit phones each morning. School leaders and district safety staff told the Rialto Unified board the weeklong trial produced early signs of improved classroom engagement, fewer interruptions and reduced tardiness.

“Los celulares son 1 de los problemas más grandes en nuestros planteles,” said Alejandro Vara, principal of Frisby, explaining the rationale for the pilot and summarizing staff observations. Vara said the school used a system of pouches that lock with an external magnet device: students place phones in a pouch each morning, and teachers or staff use a magnetic release to reopen them if needed. The school tested the pilot for seven days and distributed the approach via staff training, student assemblies and parent communications.

Key pilot details reported to trustees - Legislative context: Dr. Robert McMillen, lead of student services, reminded the board of two state bills discussed by staff: a 2019 law referenced in the presentation (“propuesta de ley 272”) that set expectations for phone use in schools and a 2024 bill the presenter identified as “3216,” which McMillen said will require broader prohibitions effective…