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Students split, teachers supportive as RSU 28 high school describes full‑day phone‑free policy
Summary
Camden Hills High School administrators presented a full‑day phone‑free policy using Yonder pouches; staff surveys reported positive effects while student surveys and comments showed widespread frustration with convenience and enforcement. A longer student report will be shared.
Camden Hills Regional High School presented results Wednesday from its full‑day phone‑free policy and the use of Yonder pouches, prompting a mix of staff support and student unease.
Assistant Principal Cooper Marshall, who led the presentation with student representatives, described the policy's implementation: students may secure phones in an assigned Yonder pouch, leave phones in cars, or drop them at the main office; staff are stationed at building entrances to check compliance and administrators centrally enforce tiered consequences. "The expectation is students didn't have access to their phone the entirety of that class period," Marshall said, adding the district centralized enforcement so teachers could "let teachers teach and let administration handle" violations.
Student survey results were sharply mixed. Presenters said survey findings showed many students personally judged the pouch system unnecessary for them, while perceptions of peers were more divided. One student summarized the tension: the pouch is "more of the idea that the Yonder pouch exists" so people feel expected to comply even if they do not lock their devices. Students raised practical concerns: long lines at unlocking stations early in the year, difficulty contacting parents for rides, and bathroom‑use patterns. Students also reported that some problem behaviors (bathroom congregations) have decreased in frequency, though not disappeared.
Teachers reported clearer classroom focus and livelier social interaction during lunch. English teacher Jen Mson said, "I absolutely love the no phone policy," noting that removing phones has reduced in‑class distractions and improved lunchtime conversation. Administrators reported staff survey results showing 88% of staff agree the policy had a positive effect on school community and 82% agree it improved learning engagement.
Why it matters: The policy affects daily routines for high‑school students and requires balancing safety, communication needs and convenience. The district emphasized ongoing monitoring: officials said they will distribute a more detailed 23‑page student report and continue community conversations.
Next steps: Administrators said they will circulate the full student report and continue gathering feedback; the board will revisit questions about implementation and any needed adjustments. The presentation referenced a state proposal on statewide phone rules, and the district said it completed local due diligence before adoption.
