No. As part of the district’s commitment to supporting student engagement and academic and social-emotional outcomes, cell phone use is restricted for all students throughout the school day. 

Students average 237 notifications on their personal devices each day, with some students reporting up to 4,500 daily notifications on their device. More than three hours of daily social media access doubles the risk of poor mental health, including experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Limiting constant interruptions and daytime access to social media has been shown to boost students’ ability to focus and be present with their peers and teachers in the instructional environment, and may lead to stronger academic achievement and better well-being.

If a student uses their personal electronic device during school, the school will enact its disciplinary measures. This can include parent/guardian notice, parent/guardian in-person meeting with administration, collection of the device during the school day, required parent retrieval of the collected device, and/or loss of privilege of bringing the device to school.

We understand that families need to connect with their students throughout the school day—whether it’s about a dentist appointment or something more urgent. All families will be contact the front office of every school to communicate with their child if necessary. Each school has clear communication protocols in place, and our front office staff will ensure families can get messages to students promptly and efficiently. 

School safety is always our top priority, which is why we rely on trained staff and follow clear safety protocols. In a crisis, students should be focused on trusted adults who help them navigate the immediate situation. Timely communication with families during an emergency will happen via our ParentSquare system which allows for text and email communications. We highly encourage caregivers to make sure that they have provided the school with up to date contact information so they can receive ParentSquare messages. 

In addition to these communication protocols, Bethel’s emergency response systems are strong and continually improving. Recent enhancements include:

• Secure entry vestibules and locking exterior doors
• New gates and security cameras
• Emergency buttons in school offices and classrooms
• Annual staff safety trainings
• Close partnership with Eugene Police Department and our dedicated Youth Services Officer, Officer Trevizo

We remain committed to ensuring that all students receive the accommodations and support they need. If a student has an IEP, 504 Plan, or medical necessity that could be impacted by this policy, those supports will be reviewed and honored in collaboration with families and staff.

This is a significant change, and we know the first few weeks may take some adjustment. The data show that similar policies in other districts have led to stronger focus in class, improved learning, and better student mental health and social-emotional well-being. We believe our students deserve the same.

In Bethel, our commitment is to create relevant, responsive, and joyful learning environments where every student can thrive. Limiting personal devices during the school day is one way we can remove barriers and give students more space for connection, engagement, and belonging.

We’ll continue checking in with students, families, and staff as this policy rolls out to ensure it’s working as intended and to make adjustments where needed. Thank you for your partnership and support as we take this important step forward—we’re confident this change will help every student succeed.

In the coming days, each school will share specific details about how this policy will be implemented at their site. This will include:

• A clear rollout timeline and what to expect during the first few weeks 
• School-specific expectations and procedures for storing or managing devices
• How staff will support students in adjusting to the change
• Information about how the policy will be enforced and what disciplinary steps may look like if needed

While the policy will be consistent districtwide, each school will tailor its approach to best support its students and families. 

As a tool to help students find their focus, Willamette and Shasta will be using individual student cell phone pouches, called Yondr Pouches. During the school day, students will secure their phones in locked pouches. The pouch remains with students and is unlocked at the end of the school day.

Velcro instead of the magnetic locking pouches are used by students who need access to their devices for medical or other previously approved reasons.

• As students enter school, students will turn off their cell phones and place their cell phone, smartwatch, and AirPods/EarBuds in their assigned Yondr pouch. 
• At Willamette, students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. Students will be advised to store the pouch in their backpacks. If a phone is confiscated, administration will secure the phone in a safe place.
• When leaving school, students tap their Yondr pouch on a base unit to unlock it and remote their devices from the pouch until the next day.
• Willamette students keep the pouches with them whether at school or not. Shasta students will leave the pouches at school at night and on the weekends. 

Yondr pouches will be used at Willamette High School and Shasta Middle School. Both Shasta and Willamette have outdoor hallways and do not have lockers assigned to all students. 

Bethel is seeking to limit distractions in the classroom and improve overall student engagement, mental health, and well-being. Personal electronic devices—like cell phones and smartwatches—have increasingly become a concern in schools, contributing to classroom distractions and impacting student mental health. In response, the State of Oregon issued Executive Order 25-09, requiring all public schools to limit student use of personal devices during the school day, including lunch and passing periods.

Yondr pouches do not block cell signals or the internet. Students are expected to turn their devices off or put them in Do Not Disturb mode before putting them in their Yondr pouch.

Willamette and Shasta students will being using Yondr pouches beginning the second week of the school year. 

Before students enter school, they turn off their phone and place it in their Yondr pouches. 

Once inside, students will lock their own cases. Students keep their locked pouches with them throughout the day.

At the end of the school day, students tap the pouch on an unlocking base.

In an effort to streamline dismissal, unlocking devices will be avaialble at several key locations and exit points for students to access when they are leaving campus for lunch or for the day. We know that students have sports practice, jobs and need to get to the bus on time and we will be working to ensure that the process of unlocking the pouches is easy. 

Schools in Bethel use a variety of tools to partner with students and families in adhering to the district cell phone policy. This can include expectations for devices being “off and away" and other classroom-based electronic device management strategies. 

If a student uses their personal electronic device during school, the school will enact its disciplinary measures. This can include parent/guardian notice, parent/guardian in-person meeting with administration, collection of the device during the school day, required parent retrieval of the collected device, and/or loss of privilege of bringing the device to school.