ALGONQUIN, IL — District 300 students will face new restrictions on personal electronic devices this school year as the district works to reduce distractions and help students stay focused in the classroom.
The policy took effect Tuesday, which was the first day of the 2026-27 school year, and applies to personal electronic devices including cellphones, tablets, non-district-issued laptops, earbuds, headphones, smartwatches, smart glasses and recording devices, according to a D300 Facebook post.
The district's policy comes as Illinois schools prepare to comply with a new state law signed July 28 by Gov. JB Pritzker requiring public school districts to adopt policies limiting student cellphone and wireless device use during the school day. District 300 is implementing its policy one year ahead of the state deadline.
Students in preschool through fifth grade may bring personal electronic devices to school, but they can only use them before or after the school day.
During school hours, devices must be turned off and kept in students' backpacks. Students generally will not receive Yondr pouches, which are lockable cases used to secure devices, unless one is needed to help manage phone use.
Students in grades six through 12 will be issued a Yondr pouch, which is a secure, lockable fabric bag, to store their personal devices. Students will keep and reuse the same pouch each year while enrolled in District 300.
At the morning warning bell, students must turn off their personal devices and lock them inside their Yondr pouch. The pouch can hold multiple items, including a cellphone, earbuds and a smartwatch, according to D300.
Students can use their devices before the first warning bell and after the final class bell.
High school students also may use their devices during their assigned lunch period in the cafeteria. Students can unlock their pouches at designated cafeteria stations but must lock their devices back inside before leaving the cafeteria.
At the end of the school day, students can unlock their pouches at stations near most school exits. Exterior unlocking stations will also be available for students who forget to unlock their pouches before leaving school grounds, including on weekends.
Beginning Wednesday, students seen using a personal device without approval during instructional or study time will first be directed by a staff member to put it away.
For students in kindergarten through fifth grade, the device must be placed in a backpack. Students in grades six through 12 must place it in their Yondr pouch, according to D300.
If a student refuses, an administrator will be called and the device will be confiscated and securely stored. A parent or guardian will then be notified and required to retrieve the device from the school office during regular building hours.
Students who refuse to comply may also face disciplinary action under existing district policies.
District 300 said student safety remains the top priority. During emergencies such as a lockdown, students will be permitted to use their devices to communicate when it is safe and practical to do so, as determined by school administrators or law enforcement.
The district said staff will prioritize securing the school environment and following emergency procedures, which could temporarily prevent students from accessing their phones.
Parents or guardians who need to contact their child during the school day should call the student's main school office rather than attempting to reach the student directly by cellphone.
District 300 said the policy is intended to create a more focused school environment while allowing students and families to remain connected when necessary.
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