New Haven Public Schools expands Yondr pouch program; officials say phone-related disruptions have declined

New Haven Public Schools officials told the school board that the district has rolled out Yondr locking pouches in K–8 schools and piloted them at New Haven Academy, and that districtwide installation for grades 5–12 was funded through a previously approved purchase.

The district said the pouches require students to place phones and wearable devices into a numbered pouch that is locked during the school day and unlocked at dismissal. Assistant Superintendent Hannah and building principals described the system as intended to reduce distractions and improve classroom engagement.

District staff summarized why the district adopted the system: “A cell phone free learning environment basically is when students come to school and are required to put their cell phone or any other wearable device like an Apple Watch or earbuds into a pouch. The pouch is then locked. It's stored safely throughout the day, and then at dismissal, the technologies return,” a staff presenter told the board. The district also cited national research and an advisory from the U.S. surgeon general on youth mental health during the presentation.

Officials described how the system works in practice. Students check out a numbered pouch assigned to them each morning, place wearable technology…