HOPE, AR July 25, 2024 - Hope Public Schools (HPS) joins a select group of schools participating in a “Cell Phone-Free” study during the 2024-2025 school year. The study is being conducted through the Office of Educational Policy under the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The district has been approved to receive equipment to help facilitate the new “no cell phone” policies being put in place.
There is currently a “no cell phone policy” used at the elementary and middle school programs within the district and this new study grant expands the program to include Hope High School. HPS will be “cell phone free” for all of K-12 for the 2024-25 school year. Clinton Primary has a no cell phone policy in place.
At Beryl Henry Elementary, Yerger Middle School and Hope Academy of Public Service, students receive Yondr pouches in which the cell phones are placed during regular school hours. Upon arriving on campus, students place their device into their individually-assigned pouch. The pouch then locks, preventing student access. Each student carries their pouch during the day, either in their backpack or in their pocket. At the end of the instructional school day, pouches are placed on a magnetic opening system, which allows the student to gain access to their device.
At the High School, students will be required to turn off their devices upon arrival on campus and the device must remain off throughout the school day. At 3:20pm, students will be allowed to use their devices once again. Students are responsible for securing their own devices. The policy not only includes cell phones, but smart watches, earbuds, fitbits, or any other non-district issued devices.
Parents and Students, Instructional leaders of the Hope Public Schools have identified a critical barrier to instruction and learning at Hope High School. We would appreciate help from students and parents in understanding and following cell phone guidelines established for the 2024-2025 school year. Hope Public Schools recognize the 21st Century student’s use of and need for digital devices in everyday life. It is not the role of this school to deter that usage but create a learning environment with decreased distractions to increase student learning.
More information regarding the program can be found on the district website:
https://www.hpsdistrict.org/page/phonefree
Questions regarding this or other student policies should be directed to the student’s campus main office.
