VESTAL, N.Y (WIVT/WBGH) – Vestal middle school is banning students from using their cell phones.

Superintendent Cliff Kasson was one of just six members of a recent roundtable discussion with Governor Hochul about the topic of smart phones in the classroom.

Following the roundtable and research conducted by the district’s student device task force, Kasson announced that Vestal Middle School is implementing the Yondr pouch system.

Yondr pouches are made of durable cloth and have a magnetic lock, similar to inventory tags you might find in a retail store.

Kasson says by eliminating distractions, the students will be more focused and improve their ability to learn.

“The students will put their phone into a pouch when they arrive at school, and it’ll be magnetically locked. They’ll have that pouch with them, they’ll have their phone with them throughout the whole school day, but at the end of the school day, there’s a release mechanism where the pouch will be released and the students will have their cell phone for after school hours,” said Kasson.

Kasson says each student will get to keep the same Yondr pouch for the entire school year.

Along with phones, the middle-schoolers will be asked to lock away other electronic devices such as smart watches or headphones.

He says if parents or guardians need to contact their child, they can call or email the main office.

There will be a Vestal Town Hall meeting discussing the new program on August 7 at 6 p.m.

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