2025-02-06 20:45:45 -0500
To: Salem Keizer School Board, Superintendent Andrea Castañeda
Defend Immigrant Students in SKPS, Remove Yondr Pouches
Join Latinos Unidos Siempre in demanding the Salem Keizer School District to keep immigrant students and families safe by ending the “YONDR” phone pouches program and reinvesting those funds into emergency response resources for immigrant families!
What are Yondr pouches?
- Physical pouches where students have to place their phone
- Pouches are locked with a magnet and administered by school staff
- Prevents students from accessing their phones during school hours, including break times or lunchtime
- Students must check in with staff before leaving school to unlock their phones
Why did Salem Keizer School District implement the Yondr Pouch school program?
- To help increase focus during school hours
- To reduce anxiety relating to phone use
How are Yondr pouches impacting our schools, immigrant students, and families?
Yondr pouches cut communication between students, community resources, and loved ones during school hours. Communication has become very important to immigrant students and families. The terrorizing presence of immigration enforcement (ICE) in our communities has increased toxic stress among immigrant communities and students. Yet, students cannot report I.C.E. activity with trusted organizations or check in on their families when they are feeling anxious. Communication with loved ones is essential to supporting the safety and mental health of immigrant students and their families
[Toxic stress refers to a prolonged or severe stress response that occurs when someone experiences significant stressors without adequate support, leading to potential disruptions in brain development and long-term negative impacts on physical and mental health]
Do YONDR pouches work?
A 2024 study found there is "little to no conclusive evidence" that cellphone bans like Yondr pouches improve academic performance, mental health, and wellbeing, or reduce cyberbullying. Yet, these programs are being implemented in many schools, along with more surveillance and even weapon detections.
The threat of deportation impacts entire families, including students. There are not enough resources for families experiencing the deportation of loved ones.
For this reason, we are asking that the funds from the YONDR pouch program are reinvested into support for immigrant students and their families.
For this reason, we are asking that the funds from the YONDR pouch program are reinvested into support for immigrant students and their families.
Why is this important?
With the growing threat of harmful immigration policies in the U.S., it is important to provide material support for immigrant students and their families. When 1 relative faces deportation, it affects the entire family.
Currently, there are not many supports in the Salem-Keizer School District for students and their families when they experience deportation. Students report that deportations deeply affect their emotional, physical, and academic well-being, as they are forced to deal with loss of income, housing, food, and other necessities. These are unjust and detrimental barriers to education.
The Salem-Keizer School District should not be spending nearly 1 million dollars on a program that is not supported by research. Instead, these funds should be utilized for the actual well-being of students in the district, which begins by addressing the emotional, physical, and financial needs of immigrant students and families.
Currently, there are not many supports in the Salem-Keizer School District for students and their families when they experience deportation. Students report that deportations deeply affect their emotional, physical, and academic well-being, as they are forced to deal with loss of income, housing, food, and other necessities. These are unjust and detrimental barriers to education.
The Salem-Keizer School District should not be spending nearly 1 million dollars on a program that is not supported by research. Instead, these funds should be utilized for the actual well-being of students in the district, which begins by addressing the emotional, physical, and financial needs of immigrant students and families.