Parents and other concerned adults:

As a Marietta High School graduate and a mother of a rising senior there now, this matter is very personal to me. As a practicing therapist in the community, I also understand the psychological impacts of this stringent policy being proposed by the Marietta City Schools Superintendent. The Marietta City Schools Superintendent has mandated the use of Yondr cell phone pouches to lock up phones at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy and Marietta Middle School already, and has expressed an interest in expanding that to Marietta High School next year.

While we respect the intention to foster concentration in the classroom, and recognize and agree that cellphones should not be used during instructional time unless the teacher is asking for them to, locking them away for the entire day is both impractical and unnecessary. This mandate severely limits high schoolers ability to communicate with employers, coaches and mentors for after-school activities, and most importantly, with their family concerning anything deemed urgent.  I have already spoken to so many teens who have expressed fear and anxiety over not being able to communicate with their families in the event of a school safety issue. Lastly, rather than suppressing technology, we should embark on an approach that teaches students responsible and effective use of technology so they can be prepared to use it maturely and effectively post high school in their college and professional lives.

Join us in advocating for a sensible policy which respects both the need for concentration during the school day and our high school student’s necessary access to communication. Sign this petition today to say no to Yondr pouches at Marietta High School!