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Cell Phone Policy

Dewey Academy’s Cell Phone & Electronic Device Protocol

Effective Date: 2026–2027 Academic Year

To: All Students, Parents, Staff, and Campus Visitors

To maintain a focused, safe, and high-quality learning environment, Dewey Academy will enforce a strict NO CELL PHONE and DEVICE policy applicable to all  personal electronic devices this school year. Dewey’s NO CELL PHONE & DEVICE policy is designed to reduce classroom distractions, support student engagement, and ensure academic integrity.We believe that phones and other personal devices have great utility. We have also found that learning and student mental health improve drastically when students are fully present with their teachers and classmates.  This year, we will use the Yonder program pouches to secure electronic devices during instructional time.  

 

This device protocol is intended to provide students with a distraction free environment in which they can really focus on learning.  To better understand our intentions and the policy, please attend 1 of 2 meetings we will have to discuss the policy.  Please attend 1 of the following meetings on ZOOM. 

 

Meeting Opportunity #1 - Thursday, July 30th @ 10 am on ZOOM

Join Zoom Meeting:  ID: 89541350807 

https://ousd.zoom.us/j/89541350807?jst=2 

‪(US) +1 309-205-3325‬ 

 

Meeting Opportunity #2 - Wednesday, August 5, 2026 @ 5:30 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:   ID: 81276086746 

https://ousd.zoom.us/j/81276086746?jst=2

‪join by phone (US) +1 669-900-9128‬ 

The Yondr Program utilizes a simple, secure pouch that stores personal electronic devices. Every student will secure their devices in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school. Students will maintain possession of their devices and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day. Students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times.

 

In an annual survey of over 1,200 of schools that implemented the Yondr Program:

 

  • 86% saw a positive impact in student safety and wellness
  • 84% saw a positive change in student engagement
  • 72% saw a positive change in student behavior
  • 68% saw a positive change in academic performance

 

DEVICES THAT MUST BE STORED IN THE YONDER POUCHES:

This policy applies to the following personal electronic items:

  • Cell Phones (all makes and models)
  • Smart Watches (and any wearable cellular/smart technology)
  • Headphones & Earbuds (Bluetooth and wired)
  • iPads & Personal Tablets
  • Device Chargers

PERMITTED TIMES FOR USE:

Students may only use their personal devices openly during designated non-instructional times:

  • Before School: Prior to the start of the first instructional period.
  • After School: Following the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.

DAILY STORAGE & SECURITY PROCEDURES:

To ensure compliance during instructional hours, students  are expected: 

  • to put phones in Airplane mode or turn off and place cell phones and ear phones inside of their Yonder pouch.
  • students will keep their Yonder pouches in their backpacks for the entire day.  
  • please note: Dewey Academy is not liable for lost, stolen or damaged devices. Students

bring personal devices to school at their own risk.

CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE:

Violations of the storage protocol or unauthorized device usage during instructional time will result in the following mandatory disciplinary steps:

  • 1st Offense: Official Warning
    • The student receives a formal verbal and documented warning from the Teacher (staff) member and is instructed to place the device in the Yonder pouch.
  • 2nd Offense: Academic Point Deduction
    • The teacher gives a final warning to place the device in the Yonder pouch. 
  • 3rd Offense: Mandatory Secured Storage Protocol
    • The student receives a failing grade ("F" / zero points) for the day's classwork or participation in the class where the violation occurred.
    • Administrative referral.
    • The teacher calls the parent/guardian to inform them of the incident.
  • Refusal to give teacher the device 
    • The student is immediately sent to the Administration office.
    • The teacher calls home that day  and notifies the parent/guardian of the incident.

Destroying a Yonder pouch will result in the student locking the phone in the office locker until a replacement fee of $35 is paid to the school for 4  hours of detention that has been served. 

Progressive Discipline

1st referral - conversation with student and phone will be confiscated and kept in the office until the end of the day.

 

2nd referral - A mandatory 1-hour detention will be issued and scheduled.  Parent/guardian notified

 

3rd referral - A mandatory 2-hour detention will be issued and scheduled.  Parent/guardian notified

 

4th referral - A mandatory 3-hour detention will be issued and scheduled.  Parent/guardian notified



 

Emergency Contact Procedure 

 

If there is an emergency and you need to get in contact with your child, please call Dewey Academy’s Main Office (510) 510-874-3660. If we do not pick up the phone PLEASE leave a voice message as all messages are instantly sent to the entire administrative team and someone from the office WILL call you right back. Please be mindful about what an emergency is. It is best practice that students and teachers have the classroom space and learning environment free of distractions and unnecessary interruptions.   You can also contact us through parent square as well.

In Unity,

 

Staci Ross-Morrison, Principal Dewey Academy 

 

Frequently Asked Questions
 

What if I want to reach my child during the school day?

We want our students to be engaged in their learning. If you need to contact your child during the school day, contact the main office at 510-879-8310 and your student will be called to the phone. 

 

What if there is a school emergency?

All teachers have keys and can unlock pouches when necessary.  In case of a school emergency, we will follow our  emergency  protocol. We will send out communications to our families as soon as it is safe and appropriate.

 

Will my student’s devices be safe?

Students are in possession of their devices - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their backpacks where it is completely safe.

 

What if my student forgets their pouch at home?

Students should come to the office before school to turn in their devices to our lockbox.  Devices will be returned at the end of the day.

 

What if my student loses or damages the Yondr pouch?

You will be charged a $35 replacement fee. Until this fee is paid, students will  turn in personal devices to the office lockbox each day. The student can also serve 4 hours of detention in lew of paying $35.

 

What if a staff member or teacher sees my student with their devices or other devices (ie Airpods or SmartWatch) out during school?

The student will need to lock their device in the Yonder pouch.  Refusal will result in a referral.