Student Cell Phone Guidelines

Student Cell Phone Guidelines (Yondr Campuses)

To promote an optimal learning and social atmosphere within Richardson ISD, students are required to refrain from using their cell phones (personal communication devices), wireless headphones, earbuds, smartwatches, and smart glasses/meta glasses throughout the school day. Each student will be provided with a personal Yondr Pouch, labeled with their name similar to the assignment of their Chromebook. Students are expected to carry their Yondr pouch daily and ensure its good condition upon return at the end of the academic year.

Yondr Campuses

  • Berkner High School and STEM Academy
  • Lake Highlands High School
  • Pearce High School
  • Richardson High School
  • Apollo Junior High
  • Liberty Junior High
  • Forest Meadow Middle School
  • Lake Highlands Middle School

Statement of Expectations

Campus administrators will state expectations clearly and reinforce the importance of maintaining a cell phone/wireless headphones/earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses–free environment throughout the school year. Administrators will monitor cell phone/wireless headphones/earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses violations to inform the need for reinforcement and support. Also, any headphone usage will occur based on the approval and expectations set by individual classroom teachers. RISD’s continued focus will be on the mitigation of educational distractions precipitated by the use of cell phones/wireless headphones/earbuds/smartwatches/smart glasses during instructional time.

At the Beginning of the School Day:

  • Before entering the school premises, students must power off their cell phones.
  • Before entering the building and while awaiting the opening of school doors, students must place all cell phones/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatches/smart glasses into their designated Yondr Pouches.
  • Once the cell phones/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatches/smart glasses are safely stowed inside the pouch, students should securely seal the Yondr Pouch using the locking mechanism and store it in their backpack.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to arrive at class punctually with their pouch securely fastened.

Throughout the School Day:

  • Upon the conclusion of the school day, unlock your pouch utilizing the unlocking base.
  • Retrieve your phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses from the pouch.
  • Ensure to securely seal the empty pouch and stow it in your backpack for the following day. It is your responsibility to keep track of your pouch.
  • Once off-campus, students are permitted to utilize their phones/headphones/smartwatches/smart glasses.

Conclusion of the School Day:

  • Upon the conclusion of the school day, unlock your pouch utilizing the unlocking base.
  • Retrieve your phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses from the pouch.
  • Ensure to securely seal the empty pouch and stow it in your backpack for the following day. It is your responsibility to keep track of your pouch.
  • Once off-campus, students are permitted to utilize their phones/headphones/smartwatches/smart glasses.

Damaged Pouches

If a student has a damaged pouch, please contact a school administrator immediately to ensure that you can receive a replacement pouch. If the damaged pouch is a result of malice, negligence, or intentional acts, a student will be subject to consequences established in the RISD Student Code of Conduct and will result in paying restitution for the Yondr pouch.

Consequences

If a student’s phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smart glasses or smartwatch is visible at all during the day and not in a Yondr pouch: (See below)
  • The phone will be stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day, and the parent or guardian will be notified.
  • A warning will be issued to both the student and the parent or guardian about further consequences for failing to comply with the cell phone-free policy.
  • Students must complete a behavior contract to confirm their understanding and future adherence to the cell phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses–free policy.
  • Only the parent or guardian is permitted to pick up the cell phone, wireless headphones and earbuds, smartwatch, or smart glasses; students are not allowed to retrieve their own devices.
  • The offense will be recorded in Focus, using the cell phone violation action code.
  • The phone will be stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day, and the parent or guardian will be notified.
  • Only the parent or guardian is allowed to pick up the cell phone, wireless headphones and earbuds, smartwatch, or smart glasses; students are not permitted to retrieve their devices.
  • The student will be assigned one day of in-school suspension (ISS).
  • The offense will be recorded in Focus, using the cell phone violation action code.
  • Student loss of exemption privileges from final semester exams (HS only).
  • The phone will be stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day, and the parent or guardian will be notified.
  • Only the parent or guardian is allowed to pick up the cell phone, wireless headphones and earbuds, smartwatch, or smart glasses; students are not permitted to retrieve their devices.
  • The student will be assigned 1–3 days of in-school suspension (ISS).
  • The offense will be recorded in Focus, using the cell phone violation action code.
  • The phone will be kept in the assistant principal’s office for the day.
  • Only the parent or guardian is allowed to pick up the cell phone, wireless headphones and earbuds, smartwatch, or smart glasses; students are not permitted to retrieve their devices.
  • An in-person meeting will be scheduled with the parent or guardian.
  • The offense will be recorded in Focus, using the cell phone violation action code.
  • The 4th offense and beyond will be considered insubordination for refusing to comply with school rules and guidelines related to cell phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses use. This will be treated as a serious offense according to the RISD Student Code of Conduct, and consequences will be issued accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

We want our students to be engaged in their learning. All students also have access to their student Chromebook throughout each school day. If you need to contact your child during school, you may contact them through their school gmail account, or you can call the school and messages can be shared with your student.

In the event of a school emergency, students are led through planned safety protocols for lockdown or evacuation by teachers and administrators. Under a lockdown protocol, students are expected to focus on the protocol to ensure their safety and the safety of their classmates, which includes remaining silent and out of sight from doors or windows. RISD schools and staff have multiple ways of immediately calling for help and contacting 911 in the event of any emergency. In an actual emergency, when first responders or RISD Safety & Security determines it is safe and appropriate, students may use their phones to let parents know they are ok.

As a reminder, when the campus enters a serious safety protocol like a lockdown or evacuation, all parents are sent a message through the parent notification system, along with potential next steps.

Students are in possession of their phone – 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.
We will have a station during schedule pick up. (Each campus can customize how they will do this.)

What exceptions may be made?

Exceptions may be made for the following:

  • Individual implementation of the student’s individualized education program (IEP), a 504 plan, or a similar program or plan
  • The student’s use is required due to a documented need based on a directive from a qualified physician.
  • The student’s use is necessary to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or as part of the District or campus safety protocols.

Student Cell Phone Guidelines (Non-Yondr Campuses)

To promote an optimal learning and social atmosphere within Richardson ISD, students are required to refrain from using their cell phones (personal communication devices), wireless headphones, earbuds, smartwatches, and smart glasses/meta glasses throughout the school day. Each student will have their cell phone and all other personal electronic devices out of sight for the duration of the school day.

Statement of Expectations

Campus administrators will state expectations clearly and reinforce the importance of maintaining a cell phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses–free environment throughout the school year. Administrators will monitor cell phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses violations to inform the need for reinforcement and support. Also, any headphone usage will occur based on the approval and expectations set by individual classroom teachers. RISD’s continued focus will be on the mitigation of educational distractions precipitated by the use of cell phones/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatches/smart glasses during instructional time.

At the Beginning of the School Day:

  1. Before entering the school premises, students must power off their cell phones.
  2. Before entering the building and while awaiting the opening of school doors, students must place all cell phones/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatches/smart glasses into their backpacks.
  3. It is the student’s responsibility to arrive at class punctually with their phone and all personal electronic devices out of sight.

Throughout the School Day:

  • Maintain your phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatches/smart glasses securely within your backpack for the duration of the school day.
  • Accessing your phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatches/smart glasses anywhere on campus during the school day is strictly prohibited.

Conclusion of the School Day:

  • Once off‑campus, students are permitted to utilize their phones/headphones/smartwatches/smart glasses.

Consequences

If a student’s phone (personal communication device)/air pods/smartwatches/smart glasses are visible at all during the day:
  • The phone will be stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day, and the parent or guardian will be notified.
  • A warning will be issued to both the student and the parent or guardian about further consequences for failing to comply with the cell phone‑free policy.
  • Students must complete a behavior contract to confirm their understanding and future adherence to the cell phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses–free policy.
  • Only the parent or guardian is permitted to pick up the cell phone, wireless headphones and earbuds, smartwatches, or smart glasses; students are not allowed to retrieve their own devices.
  • The offense will be recorded in Focus, using the cell phone violation action code.
  • The phone will be stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day, and the parent or guardian will be notified.
  • Only the parent or guardian is allowed to pick up the cell phone, wireless headphones and earbuds, smartwatches, or smart glasses; students are not permitted to retrieve their own devices.
  • The student will be assigned one day of in‑school suspension (ISS).
  • The offense will be recorded in Focus, using the cell phone violation action code.
  • The phone will be stored in the assistant principal’s office for the day, and the parent or guardian will be notified.
  • Only the parent or guardian is allowed to pick up the cell phone, wireless headphones and earbuds, smartwatch, or smart glasses; students are not permitted to retrieve their own devices.
  • The student will be assigned 1–3 days of in‑school suspension (ISS).
  • The offense will be recorded in Focus, using the cell phone violation action code.
  • The phone will be kept in the assistant principal’s office for the day.
  • Only the parent or guardian is allowed to pick up the cell phone, wireless headphones and earbuds, smartwatches, or smart glasses; students are not permitted to retrieve their own devices.
  • An in‑person meeting will be scheduled with the parent or guardian.
  • The offense will be recorded in Focus, using the cell phone violation action code.
  • The 4th offense and beyond will be considered insubordination for refusing to comply with school rules and guidelines related to cell phone/wireless headphones and earbuds/smartwatch/smart glasses use. This will be treated as a serious offense according to the RISD Student Code of Conduct, and consequences will be issued accordingly.

What exceptions may be made?

Exceptions may be made for the following:

  • Individual implementation of the student’s individualized education program (IEP), a 504 plan, or a similar program or plan
  • The student’s use is required due to a documented need based on a directive from a qualified physician.
  • The student’s use is necessary to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or as part of the District or campus safety protocols.
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