Especially for the reporter

Two weeks after unveiling its MI Phone-Free Schools policy for cell phones and smartwatches, set to take effect in the 2024-25 school year, the Mercer Island School District has updated the school community on how it will implement and maintain the policy.

On August 1, District Superintendent Fred Rundle indicated in a letter to the community that each student will use a Yondr bag to keep their cell phones, smart watches, AirPods/earbuds, and other personal mobile devices safe and secure. Students will turn their cell phones off or put them in Do Not Disturb mode and then place them in the bag with their other belongings and lock it before school begins. Students will then keep the Yondr bag with them throughout the school day and unlock the bag when they leave school.

Students who need access to their phone during the day for medical or other reasons will use a Yondr Velcro pouch, the letter continues. Students using this type of pouch will have appropriate accommodations documented in their 504, IEP or health plan.

Each student must deposit a $15 Yondr fee into their school account to pay for the pouch, Rundle explained. The actual price of a Yondr pouch is $25, but the community-approved capital and technology levy offsets the cost by covering $10 as well as any implementation fees. Students receiving financial aid do not have to pay any fees.

For more information, visit the MI Phone-Free Schools website at https://tinyurl.com/42b3dz63, the Yondr FAQ at https://tinyurl.com/y8anvx4c, and a staff video at https://tinyurl.com/yk5bvzbm.