As of the beginning of this school year, YONDR Pouches have been implemented to provide a distraction-free learning environment. However, some students have begun to rebel by stealing and destroying the pouches. We sat down with 3 individuals and asked questions regarding the YONDR Pouch.
We asked Mrs. Amy Klube, House 1 social worker, for her thoughts.
“Do you think that we could’ve avoided this problem?”
AK: Not necessarily, maybe more advertising [on] what the consequences would be, because I don’t think people predicted it would be a suspension. Maybe the consequences should have been outlined more, but again, I didn’t think we predicted this.
“Do you think that we could handle this problem in a different way than we are now?”
AK: Watching that evolution [of phones] has been really interesting, because on one hand, I understand the argument that people need to learn how to use the phones properly in a workspace, but on the other hand, we have learned that the phones are distracting, causing anxiety, and are doing things that are unhealthy in the environment. I’m hopeful that we stick with this system and that we are going to remain free of phones because I just think it’s not super healthy in this environment.
Mr. Dan Reiford, House 3 Principal, had similar opinions.
“Do you think that we could’ve avoided this problem?”
DR: Sure, I think we could have been creative in lieu (instead) or add an addition to OSS. We could have the kids that were responsible for taking the pouches go around classrooms with us to find pouches, because it takes a good 45 minutes to collect pouches, and they could work with us and have that as a portion of their punishment, so they see [how] what they did has really challenged the school.
“Did you expect something like this to happen?”
DR: I didn’t specifically expect this. I expected there to be some hiccups with the whole process because it’s so new and different, but I didn’t think that there would be kids trying to sabotage the system, per se.
Alexandra Chow, our STAPcomm president, also had thoughts on this topic.
“Do you think that we could’ve avoided this problem?”
AC: I think, [we] as students, couldn’t have, but I think administration could have. I think if they assigned the individual pouches in the beginning, that would have put more of a responsibility on [students]. I think that having it be assigned would have put in students’ heads that instead of “I shouldn’t vandalize it,’’ it would be, ‘’I can’t vandalize it.’’
“As STAPcomm president, what are your thoughts on the new pouch system?”
AC: As a student, I was a little disappointed at first. As STAPcomm president, I can see where the State was coming from when they implemented this. I think that as time has gone by the past couple weeks, it has been making a positive difference. Just because I have noticed I talk to more people myself, instead of how I used to bring out my phone at the end of class typing, or just doing work, or something like that.
Overall, opinions on the YONDR Pouch system vary across Orchard Park High School. While some see it as a step toward a healthier, more focused environment, others don’t necessarily disagree but feel the rollout could have been handled differently. What’s clear is that this change has sparked important conversations about responsibility, respect, and how technology fits into the school community. Whether you love the pouches or loathe them, their impact on OPHS is undeniable, and it’s up to all of us to decide how this next chapter unfolds.
