Latest news with #YondrPouches
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tuscaloosa City Schools approves cellphone restriction for 2025-26 school year
Tuscaloosa City Schools will implement a district-wide cellphone-free policy beginning with the 2025-26 school year. The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education on May 6 approved the new policy restricting the use of wireless devices, including cellphones, during school hours. The vote was unanimous. The move by TCS comes in anticipation of a statewide ban on cellphones in schools. The Alabama Legislature is poised to pass the Alabama FOCUS (Freeing Our Schools of Unnecessary Screens for Safety) Act in the final days of the 2025 legislative session. More: A tale of two teens: Learning to cope with life's challenges "Cellphones are a distraction in our schools,' said Superintendent Mike Daria in a news release. 'While we are adopting this policy to comply with state law, we believe it's a move in the right direction to provide a better learning environment for our students.' According to the TCS policy, wireless devices must be turned off and stored during instructional time. Devices may also not be kept in the student's pockets. Mags Garrison works on her assignment in a fifth grade class at Rock Quarry Elementary on the first day of class for Tuscaloosa City Schools Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. TCS officials say the new policy will enhance school safety, in addition to limiting distractions in the classroom. Restricted devices include, but are not limited to, cellphones, laptops, iPads, smart watches, tablets and other devices with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular capabilities. Exceptions: Documented medical need Students who must be accommodated under Individualized Education Plans or 504 Plans Emergency situations, as determined by staff District instructional use authorized by certified staff As part of the new policy, TCS will implement the use of Yondr Pouches, which are secure lockable bags. The Yondr pouches will be kept in students' backpacks until the dismissal of classes each day. All secondary schools will implement Yondr Pouches during the 2025-26 academic year. James Pope, deputy superintendent of teaching and learning at TCS, said only cellphones and smartwatches will be kept in the secure pouches. Mike Daria is superintendent of Education for Tuscaloosa City Schools. "We're only doing the pouch for the cellphone and possibly their watches. Everything else, (students should) put away, keep out, don't bring to school," Pope said during the May 6 meeting. Chris Jenks, director of technology for TCS, assured board members and attendees that devices will remain in the students' possession while in the secure pouches. "The purpose of the pouch is to allow the student to maintain physical possession of the device while not being able to use it," Jenks said. School officials say parents and guardians who need to reach their child during the school day should contact the school's main office. Pope said some schools have already implemented similar wireless device restrictions and have reported positive results. These schools include: Westlawn Middle School, the Alberta School of Performing Arts, Eastwood Middle School and Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy. "They told us about how much disruption has been lessoned because of it," Pope said In preparation for the 2025-65 school year, TCS will launch a phone-free campaign to inform students, parents and faculty about the new policy. More information about the new wireless device-free policy will be released in the upcoming months. Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@ This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa City Schools to restrict use of wireless devices next year
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama House committee approves Senate version of cell phone ban
Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, listens attentively to the Senate debate on March 18, 2025, in Montgomery, Alabama. A House committee Wednesday approved a bill sponsored by Chesteen that would ban cell phones in public schools during instruction hours. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House Education Policy Committee Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would ban cellphones in public schools during class instruction time. SB 92, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, is identical to HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, which passed the House earlier this month. 'It is identical to the way that we passed it out of the House and amended it on the floor recently. So we're making sure that they're tracking identically, and we have been able to successfully do that,' Hulsey, who carried the bill for Chesteen, said Wednesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill requires local school boards to adopt a policy to store student cell phones during class hours. Some schools use Yondr Pouches to store phones, but the legislation does not specify how a phone should be stored. 'They just have to turn the phone off, store it off your person in a locker, car, whatever your storage solution is, it's a similar solution. Whatever they choose,' Hulsey said. There are three exceptions for when a student can access their phones: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes. The bill was approved with no discussion. It moves to the full House for consideration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
CBS News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
NYC students tell schools chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos bullying and vaping are problems
After going on a city-wide listening tour, New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos says bullying and vaping are common concerns among students. Mayor Eric Adams made Aviles-Ramos the head of the city's public schools in September after the retirement of David Banks . During an appearance Sunday on "The Point with Marcia Kramer," Aviles-Ramos said an anti-bullying campaign is part of her signature "family connectors" program. "Our parents, our family connectors, are working with families to get them the resources they need and our young people are actually talking to other young people about the reasons for bullying. What happens when you're bullied? Why do you bully? What are the triggers? And then how can, using their own language, through social media and PSAs, how can they spread the message on why you shouldn't be bullying and what to do if you are bullied," she said. Students will help create the campaign's messaging and resources. "We know that, as adults, telling kids don't bully each other doesn't really work. But young people working together, we know that they get the message across, and there's impact," Aviles-Ramos said. On another front, the schools chancellor said an anti- vaping campaign is also making its way through city schools. "Bullying and vaping were two big concerns, and a lot of it came from the students, themselves," she said. "Some of the student-athletes were saying we see our peers vaping." Should New York schools ban cellphones? As Gov. Kathy Hochul pushes for a "bell-to-bell" ban on the devices , Aviles-Ramos says it's going to take a financial commitment from the state to make it work. "We are absolutely hoping to get money from the state to do it," she said. "When I was a principal, I collected cellphones. But what I've said to the state, and I've been very clear on this, is happy to comply with a mandate but we need the funding." Two schools in the Bronx have already implemented a cellphone ban -- and the students say they're benefiting . They tuck their devices into Yondr Pouches, magnetic bags that keep their phones out of sight and mind for the day. Aviles-Ramos said a system like that could work city-wide because the phones remain handy in case of an emergency. "When you've got 2,000, 3,000 cellphones that you have to get back to kids, it could be a little messy. So the magnetic pouches, that is our preferred method for schools, but that costs money. Those pouches are costly," she said.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
School cellphone ban approved by Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bell-to-bell cellphone ban for students in public schools. HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, passed the chamber 79-15. It requires local school boards to adopt a policy to store student cellphones during class hours. Hulsey said during a floor debate on Thursday that the devices could be stored in a device like a Yondr Pouch or a shoe organizer. 'The majority of the schools already participating in this are storing the cellphones in the classroom in various ways,' Hulsey said. Yondr Pouches are an expensive option compared to a $10 plastic over-the-door shoe organizer. Pike Road Junior High School Principal Christy Wright showed the Senate Education Policy Committee how the school implements a ban in February. The $30 Yondr Pouches at Pike Road were purchased with a grant. According to the bill, cell phones can be stored in a locker, car or other storage device so long as the device is not on the student's person. According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of U.S. high school teachers say that cellphone distraction is a major issue in their classrooms. Democratic representatives were concerned about how a student would access their phones in an emergency. Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, said that with school shootings a constant threat, a child should be able to contact their parents. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were 332 school shootings in 2024. There have been 52 in 2025 so far. 'We as a body need to protect our kids since we will not pass a bill to keep guns away from our school children,' Drummond said. Drummond has sponsored bills over the last several years that would effectively require parents to safely store firearms at home. The bills would also have allowed parents to be charged with misdemeanors if a child brought an unsecured weapon to school. But the legislation has not moved. A House committee killed Drummond's latest version of the bill in February. More: Alabama Senate passes bill expanding religious exemptions from vaccines Rep. Napoleon Bracy, D-Prichard, brought up another potential event that could develop at school where a child may need to contact their parents. He said a student could need a change of clothes in the middle of the day. 'It's not a situation where it's life or death, it's not like somebody is coming in for a school shooting,' he said. 'I just think it's overreaching.' According to the bill, a student can have access to their phones under three exceptions: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes. Hulsey claimed that there is data that shows that cell phone bans cause improved test scores, retained information and students' mental health. Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, said she would like to see that data. 'I've just not seen the preponderance of students playing games while the teacher is trying to teach, the room being disrupted and out of order,' she said. 'I would just like to see that data at some point.' Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kimberly Boswell said in February the mental health of students would improve under the ban. Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, echoed that and supported the legislation on the House floor Thursday. 'It's going to make a difference,' Collins said. The House approved an amendment that removed punishments on schools that do not comply. Hulsey said she wished that was still in the bill but would bring a bill in a few years after seeing compliance. There is a survey required in the legislation to monitor compliance. 'I haven't passed a bill yet that I've loved every single thing about it,' Hulsey said. 'All of it takes compromise to move the needle a little bit.' Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, said that enforcement could be difficult without sanctions. 'We need to put some teeth into this bill,' Warren said. 'If we don't we're going to be in the same position next year as we are this year.' The legislation moves to the Senate. Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, has filed a companion bill in that chamber. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Will Alabama ban students' cellphones in public schools?
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama House passes public school cell phone ban
Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, arranges papers during a debate over a bill sponsored by Hulsey limiting cell phone access in public schools in the Alabama House of Representatives on April 3, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House passed the ban 79-15 on Thursday.(Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bell-to-bell cell phone ban for students in public schools. HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, passed the chamber 79-15. It requires local school boards to adopt a policy to store student cell phones during class hours. Hulsey said during a floor debate on Thursday that the devices could be stored in a device like a Yondr Pouch or a shoe organizer. 'The majority of the schools already participating in this are storing the cell phones in the classroom in various ways,' Hulsey said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Yondr Pouches are an expensive option compared to a $10 plastic over-the-door shoe organizer. Pike Road Junior High School Principal Christy Wright showed the Senate Education Policy Committee how the school implements a ban in February. The $30 Yondr Pouches at Pike Road were purchased with a grant. According to the bill, cell phones can be stored in a locker, car or other storage device so long as the device is not on the student's person. According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of U.S. high school teachers say that cellphone distraction is a major issue in their classrooms. Democratic representatives were concerned about how a student would access their phones in an emergency. Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, said that with school shootings a constant threat, a child should be able to contact their parents. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were 332 school shootings in 2024. There have been 52 in 2025 so far. 'We as a body need to protect our kids since we will not pass a bill to keep guns away from our school children,' Drummond said. Drummond has sponsored bills over the last several years that would effectively require parents to safely store firearms at home. The bills would also have allowed parents to be charged with misdemeanors if a child brought an unsecured weapon to school. But the legislation has not moved. A House committee killed Drummond's latest version of the bill in February. Rep. Napoleon Bracy, D-Prichard, brought up another potential event that could develop at school where a child may need to contact their parents. He said a student could need a change of clothes in the middle of the day. 'It's not a situation where it's life or death, it's not like somebody is coming in for a school shooting,' he said. 'I just think it's overreaching.' According to the bill, a student can have access to their phones under three exceptions: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes. Hulsey claimed that there is data that shows that cell phone bans cause improved test scores, retained information and students' mental health. Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, said she would like to see that data. 'I've just not seen the preponderance of students playing games while the teacher is trying to teach, the room being disrupted and out of order,' she said. 'I would just like to see that data at some point.' Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kimberly Boswell said in February the mental health of students would improve under the ban. Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, echoed that and supported the legislation on the House floor Thursday. 'It's going to make a difference,' Collins said. The House approved an amendment that removed punishments on schools that do not comply. Hulsey said she wished that was still in the bill but would bring a bill in a few years after seeing compliance. There is a survey required in the legislation to monitor compliance. 'I haven't passed a bill yet that I've loved every single thing about it,' Hulsey said. 'All of it takes compromise to move the needle a little bit.' Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, said that enforcement could be difficult without sanctions. 'We need to put some teeth into this bill,' Warren said. 'If we don't we're going to be in the same position next year as we are this year.' The legislation moves to the Senate. Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, has filed a companion bill in that chamber. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
