ZenBlog

LANTANA, Fla. (WPEC) — A school in Florida has found an interesting way of keeping students from using their cell phones during the day.

Palm Beach Maritime Academy Secondary Campus believes they are the first school in the county to do something like this.

The school year is almost over, and students will soon start their summer break. But a few weeks ago, the school launched a big change involving students in grades 6 through 12 and their cell phones. School officials feel it's a step in the right direction.

In one 6th grade math class at Palm Beach Maritime Academy Secondary campus, students are carefully listening to the teacher. Their cell phones are locked in pouches that they are unable to open during the school day.

"I've seen there's a small rebellion against it, but they can't do much since it's school policy," said Emilio Morales-Delgado, a 9th grader.

When the students arrive at school in the morning, they have to put their phone in a Yondr Pouch, which the school provides for each student.

"It's just this simple, you take your phone. You can also fit your AirPods and your smartwatch in there and you close it," said Dionne Kay Stone, Palm Beach Maritime Academy Secondary Principal.

The students keep the pouch with them during the school day, but the phone is locked inside the pouch.

"If they don't have the distraction of a phone during the instructional time, they're more likely to focus on what the teacher is teaching them," Stone said.

At the end of the school day, the students can go to one of several unlocking stations at the school, to unlock their pouch so they can use their phone.

"I think it's a great addition to the school. I think they should continue this honestly because it helps with the grades in this school," Morales-Delgado said.

The school started using the Yondr Pouches in March and already they say they're seeing an improvement in student test scores.

"The way that they've adapted to it has been tremendous. We thought we were going to have so much more pushback from the kids," said Steve Casenza, CEO, Palm Beach Maritime Academy.

Teachers say it's nice that students are paying more attention in class, instead of looking at their phones or texting their friends.

"It has been of tremendous help to us as teachers because it has helped to keep the kids concentrated on the lectures," said Kemas Nkemakolan, a U.S. History and Geography teacher.

"They're not constantly trying to check their phones. They're not constantly trying to text their friends," said Heather Short, a 7th-grade Civics and AP Psychology teacher.

How do parents feel that their children have cell phones, but can't access them during the school day?

"I think it's fantastic. The phones are locked in the pouches upon arrival, and they're locked until you get out of school," said Chris Olson, a parent.

"I love it. It's a great idea," said Celina Martinez, another parent. "Less distraction for them that's what I feel."

If there's an emergency on campus, school officials say students do not need to have cell phones on them to call their parents. The school has a mass text system to notify parents in the event of an emergency.

Palm Beach Maritime Academy Secondary Campus in Lantana has about 600 students in grades 6 through 12. The school says they spent $18,000 on the pouches, giving one to each student at no cost. They plan to continue using the pouches when school starts again in the fall.

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