Youngstown City School District students bringing mobile phones to class this coming year must leave phones in their homerooms.

School officials have announced what they call “a proactive measure to promote academic engagement” by requiring the use of so-called Yondr pouches for grades 5-12 for the upcoming school year.

Yondr pouches are designed to temporarily lock away cell phones and Bluetooth devices such as headphones and smartwatches.

During school hours, students must place their phones and any Bluetooth device in the pouch, which stays with their homeroom teacher until the end of the school day.

A new Ohio law requires every school district in the state to establish an official policy governing cell phone usage during school hours and seeks to minimize student cell phone use in K-12 schools.

Although city schools already prohibit electronic device use, school officials say the introduction of the pouches strengthens existing procedures by creating a distraction-free learning environment.

“Research has shown that cell phone use negatively affects mental health and student performance,” said YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor. “Implementing Yondr pouches will help decrease distractions and increase engagement, which is why we are here; for scholar-centered academic success.”

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 250 into law in May, which will require public school districts to adopt a policy governing the use of cell phones by students during school hours.