Following recent approval by the Texarkana Arkansas School District (TASD) Board of Directors, Arkansas Middle School and Arkansas High School will implement phone-free environments beginning this fall. The initiative aims to enhance the teaching and learning experience through the introduction of Yondr bags designed to help reduce the negative impact of phone addiction on student well-being.
The Yondr system, which is already being used in various schools, uses secure bags to store phones and other small electronic devices such as smartwatches and earbuds. Upon arrival at school, students place their phones – either turned off or in airplane mode – in personally assigned Yondr bags. While students retain their phones in their possession, they cannot access them until the bags are unlocked at the end of the school day. Students are responsible for the Yondr bags, which students must bring to and from school each day.
Phone – Smartwatch – Earphones – Nope – Canva
Despite previous efforts to limit cell phone use in schools, this challenge persisted as long as the devices were accessible. However, research at other schools using Yondr has shown promising results:
- 84% more student engagement
- 72% improvement in student behavior
- 68% improvement in academic performance
- 86% improvement in student safety and well-being
By the way, the replacement cost for a lost Yondr bag is $35.
Yondr Pouch Infographic (600 x 300 pixels) (Facebook post) – 1
In the coming weeks, TASD will provide more information to students and families prior to the rollout. In the meantime, more details about the Yondr bags and feedback options can be found on the district’s website at www.TASD7.net.
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Gallery credit: Rob Carroll
Country stars react to new music from Post Malone
It’s not enough to say that country stars are supporting Post Malone’s new, genre-bending album. Everyone we asked for a reaction to the new music praised the pop crossover artist and then took the time to explain why.
This isn’t polite admiration. Below are honest responses from eight stars who have worked with him or watched him broach the subject of a country album. They’re young and old, progressive and traditional. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes are from Taste of Country interviews.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
