Dear FCS Families,

We are committed to providing a Christ-centered learning environment that promotes academic focus, strong relationships, and overall student well-being. To support this mission, Friendship Christian School will implement a Phone-free School Day using a program called Yondr.

This decision is also aligned with a new Tennessee law, effective July 1, 2025, which requires schools to restrict the use of cell phones and other personal communication devices during instructional time.

Yondr is used in thousands of schools across more than 25 countries to help create distraction-free spaces. While we recognize that smartphones can be useful tools, we’ve also seen how limiting access during the school day can significantly improve academic engagement, behavior, and mental health.

According to an annual survey of over 1,200 schools using Yondr:

• 86% saw improvements in student safety and wellness
• 84% saw better student engagement
• 72% reported improved behavior
• 68% noted a rise in academic performance

How the Program Works

Each student will be assigned a personal Yondr pouch to secure their phone upon arrival at school. Students will keep their pouch with them, but the pouch will remain locked throughout the day. At dismissal, students will unlock their pouches and regain full access to their phones. Students are responsible for bringing their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and for maintaining its good condition.

We understand you may have questions about this new policy. We encourage you to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) before contacting us, as many common concerns are addressed there.

Research behind the Decision

To better understand the research behind phone-free school environments, we recommend Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, and his website.

We sincerely appreciate your support as we adopt this initiative. We believe it will have a lasting, positive impact on the culture of our school and the success of our students.

Respectfully,

Veronica Bender, Principal

Corey Fitzpatrick, Assistant Principal

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CELLULAR DEVICES POLICY