In Danville, Ill. (WCIA), the local school district is taking steps to encourage students to reduce their phone usage. During a meeting on Tuesday night, the School Board decided to implement a new strategy aimed at enhancing student focus on their teachers. 

Danville High School and North Ridge Middle School will adopt Yondr pouches — gray pockets that lock phones away for the entire school day.

Jacob Bretz, the High School Principal, acknowledged that it required significant deliberation from him and other officials to embrace this initiative. While they had considered introducing it in a limited form years ago, the Yondr program demands a more comprehensive application.

Bretz understands that not everyone will support this approach, but he firmly believes it’s the best way to help students learn without distractions.

“While it’s going to be hard and it’s going to be a big shift, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t try to do something about [phone usage],” Bretz said. “I think this is the best way because it’s cut and dry, it’s black and white. There’s no wiggle room; there’s no gray area.”

Students will be able to stay in contact with parents throughout the day via email on school-issued computers.

All in all, the pouches will cost $70,000 — almost $43,000 for the high school and $27,000 for the middle school. 

Students will be required to use the pouches this upcoming school year.