The Yondr Pouch is a secure bag that is used to store an individual’s mobile device or devices. It is secured and unlocked with a special magnetic locking device.

During the state’s most recent legislative session, lawmakers passed and Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that prohibits students from using personal devices during school hours. House Bill 1481 takes effect September 1, 2025, and requires all Texas school districts to prohibit students from using "personal wireless communication devices," which the law defines as “any wireless electronic communication device, other than a device provided to students by a school for instructional purposes, capable of transmitting and/or receiving data.” The law is designed to support student learning, reduce distractions, and limit the potential for cyberbullying. 

• Personal cell phones
• Tablets
• Gaming devices
• Smart watches
• Bluetooth headphones or earbuds
• Fitness trackers that can send or receive messages
• Personal (non-district-issued) computers
• Two-way radios
• Pagers
• Any other device capable of digital communication

The school day will start when a student enters the building in the morning and end when the student leaves the building in the afternoon. Afterschool meetings/activities are not considered part of the school day.

According to the law, districts have two options – 1) prohibit students from bringing a personal communication device on school property, or 2) designate a method for the storage of a student’s personal communication device while that student is on school property during the school day. Red Oak ISD has chosen the less restrictive option with the use of Yondr pouches.

Prior to September 1^st, all secondary students will be assigned a Yondr pouch to secure their personal communication device(s). The pouch is the property of the school and is considered on loan to the student during the school year. Students are responsible for the Yondr pouch at all times and for bringing the pouch to and from school each day and keeping them in good condition. Yondr pouches will be identifiable by a number/barcode.

Upon entering school, students will turn their personal communication device(s) off, place the personal communication device(s) inside the Yondr pouch, and lock it. Pouches will be checked for compliance as they engage in the OpenGate process. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the school day at several designated locations within the building.

Yes. Personal communication device(s) will either remain in the possession of the students in his/her backpack, purse, or other allowable bag.

If a student needs to leave school early for an approved early dismissal, medical emergency, work assignment, athletic event, or other school-sponsored trip, students will be able to unlock their pouch in the front office just prior to their departure. If returning to school during the instructional day, the Yondr pouch would be locked upon re-entry to the building.

We understand that important information may need to be shared with your child during the school day. Parents may contact the main office of the campus to leave a message that can be delivered to the student. Parents may also feel free to text their child a message that will be waiting for them when they access their phone at the end of the school day. 

In the event of an emergency, schools will communicate with parents through the district’s mass notification and communication tools. In addition, we would make every effort to unlock student phones as quickly as we are able (which could be different depending on the emergency) so they can contact parents/guardians. Before that can happen, though, every location in the school is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. Our staff is also trained to execute safety and emergency procedures. Students will follow the school’s emergency procedures in the case of an emergency.

If a student refuses to place his/her personal communication device(s) in a Yondr pouch, the personal communication device(s) will be confiscated and the refusal will be considered insubordination and Student Code of Conduct will be followed.

Students who are found to unlock the pouches, cause damage to the pouch, or use an alternate personal communication device(s) will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

The personal communication device(s) will be turned into the main office staff and secured in a safe place until the end of the school day. A parent must retrieve the personal communication device(s) from the front office.

Students who have a documented medical condition and who need a personal device for monitoring their condition will be provided with a non-locking Yondr pouch that has a Velcro seal.

Students and staff practice lockdown drills annually. Students and staff are instructed to be silent and attentive during a lockdown. Notifications from cell phones and/or communication on cell phones often times increase the risk to all students and staff during a lockdown. Our safety plan has a community notification procedure for all emergency situations. This notification plan prioritizes communicating with parents and guardians with accurate and important information.

Every classroom is equipped with a phone that can dial 911. There are no codes or prefixes needed to dial outside of the district. Anyone can dial direct.

The district has attempted to limit cell phone use in the classroom and hallways and limit overall distractions through policies and procedures for a number of years. However, enforcement of this practice becomes the burden of classroom teachers when students do not comply and valuable instructional time is lost as these issues are addressed.

No, the introduction of Yondr is not a punitive measure. The intention of Yondr is three-fold:

to create classroom environments where teachers can teach and students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices; 

to reduce the negative impacts for ALL students of inappropriate use of devices at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and incidents involving personal communication device(s) that detract from a healthy school climate; and

to enforce compliance with Texas law

There will be an unlocking station outside the building. If the student forgets to unlock their pouch, they will be able to return to school at any time and utilize that magnet.

Students will ultimately be responsible for the care of their Yondr pouch. If a student intentionally damages or loses the pouch, they will be responsible for replacement and may face disciplinary consequences. The replacement cost is $30.

Staff from Yondr will be consulting with the district to determine the most appropriate locations in the school for the unlocking devices. Safety, efficiency and effectiveness will be top priorities in locating the unlocking devices. 

Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet.

Each student will be assigned a numbered pouch. If lost, we’ll have a record of who the pouch belongs to if or when found.

The district will use quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of Yondr in improving the student experience. This includes student grades and discipline referrals, as well as faculty and staff feedback.

The current plan is for Red Oak High School, Red Oak Middle School and Dr. Joy Shaw Middle School to use Yondr pouches. Elementary campuses will not use Yondr pouches at this time.

The Yondr FAQs will be updated as the implementation gets underway. If you have a question regarding the implementation of Yondr pouches, please contact the front office of your child’s school.