Murdock High School OFF and AWAY Cell Phone Protocol for School Year 2025-2026
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, we will be making our school a phone-free space to improve teaching and learning.
We are using a program called Yonder. Yonder has been implemented in thousands of schools across 27 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment. We believe that phones have great utility. We have also found that learning and student mental health improve drastically when students are fully present with their teachers and classmates.
The Yonder Program utilizes a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone. In addition to their phones, students must also store any earbuds and Smart Watches/devices in the pouch. Every student will secure their phone/devices in a personally assigned Yonder pouch when they arrive at school. Students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day*. Students are required to bring their Yonder pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times.
In an annual survey of over 1,200 schools that implemented the Yonder Program:
● 86% saw a positive impact in student safety and wellness
● 84% saw a positive change in student engagement
● 72% saw a positive change in student behavior
● 68% saw a positive change in academic performance
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly at 978-297-1256.
If there is an emergency and you would like to get in contact with your child, please reach out to Deb Connelly, Murdock High School Secretary at 978-297-1256.
In an effort to best serve your child, we appreciate your full support in adoption of the Yondr Program at our school.
Thank you,
David Fredette M.Ed, CAGS
Principal - Murdock High School
Andrew Bloch
Assistant Principal
How Yonder Works
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I want to reach my child during the school day?
We want our students to be engaged in their learning. If you need to contact your child during the school day, contact the main office at 978-297-1256.
What if there is a school emergency?
In case of a school emergency, we direct our students to safety first, following our school emergency preparedness protocol.
Will my student’s phone be safe?
Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch in their backpacks where it is completely safe.
What if the Yonder pouch gets damaged or a student is caught on their phone?
The Yonder pouch is property of Murdock High School. If a student damages their pouch, opens the pouch without permission, or is caught on their phone, Administration will collect the phone/pouch and call home:
● The Parent will come to the school and pick up their child’s phone ● AND/OR Consequences may include: Detention / Community Service / In-School Suspension / Replacement Fee for any damage
Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school staff.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
All educational and non-academic programs, activities and employment opportunities at Winchendon Public Schools are offered without regard to race, color, sex,
religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, age and/or disability, and any other class or characteristic protected by law.
3 Memorial Drive Winchendon, Massachusetts 01475
(978) 297-1256 ⧫ Fax (978) 297-0509