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New Haven Unified will pilot classroom cellphone pouches, clarify liability for lost devices
Summary
Superintendent John Thompson said the district will pilot classroom phone pouches at middle schools and James Logan, an "off and away" approach at elementary schools, and noted Connelly Caribella High School already uses locking pouches; the district will not assume responsibility for lost or damaged devices.
John Thompson said the district must update its electronic-device policy and will pilot different approaches at different grade levels to limit student access to phones during the school day. “At our two middle schools in James Logan, we will be using a designated cell phone pouch or holder in each classroom,” he said, describing a process where students place phones in the pouch for the class period and collect them at the end.
He said elementary schools will use an "off and away" policy requiring students to keep devices stored out of sight (backpacks or storage bags). Thompson noted Connelly Caribella High School has been using locking pouches (referred to in the remarks as “yonder pouches”) that remain locked during the school day and are returned to students at the end of the day.
Thompson also reminded families that if students bring electronic devices the district is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items while they are required to be stored. “If something happens during that time, they're lost to learn damage. We're not responsible for that,” he said, clarifying the district's liability position.
