Big changes are coming to classrooms across Christian County! Hopkinsville High School, Christian County High School, and Gateway Academy have all announced that beginning in the 2025–26 school year, their campuses will be officially cell phone free thanks to the implementation of the YONDR Pouch system.
This exciting district-wide shift aligns with Senate Bill 208, which supports Kentucky schools in limiting non-academic use of personal electronic devices during the instructional day. The goal: help students stay focused, engaged, and meaningfully connected — not to their screens, but to their learning.
Starting next school year, all students at HHS, CCHS, and Gateway will be required to securely store their cell phones, smartwatches, and AirPods in their personal YONDR pouches for the duration of the school day. These tamper-proof magnetic pouches will be unlocked after the final bell, helping schools minimize distractions, reduce discipline issues, and increase face-to-face engagement.
Want to see what this looks like in action? Check out Fern Creek High School’s success story from Louisville, Kentucky.
What About Emergencies?
Understandably, families may be concerned about student safety and communication. Christian County Public Schools wants to reassure parents and guardians that well-established safety protocols are in place. In the event of an emergency, school staff are trained to respond quickly and effectively, and parents can always contact their student through the front office.
In fact, emergency experts like the National Association of School Psychologists and the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center warn that personal phone use during crises can actually increase risks by:
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Spreading misinformation
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Creating panic inside and outside of school
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Disrupting emergency communication networks
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Hindering emergency response and coordination
Research shows that school-directed communication during emergencies is the safest, most reliable approach.
Why YONDR?
Each school sees this initiative as an opportunity to build a more respectful, focused, and collaborative learning environment. Whether it’s through increased participation, reduced anxiety, or better relationships, early results from other schools using the YONDR system have been overwhelmingly positive — and CCPS is eager to see those same results here at home.
Want to Learn More?
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Hopkinsville High School will host an information session, “HHS Welcomes the YONDR Bag,” at Open House on August 14th.
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Christian County High School invites families to its Open House session on the same evening and encourages participation in the Colonel Book Club’s read of The Anxious Generation, a timely look at the impact of smartphones on today’s youth.
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Gateway Academy also encourages parents and students to learn more during back-to-school events and explore how this change supports academic success and career readiness.
Together, the high schools of Christian County Public Schools are taking bold, student-centered steps toward a better, more connected future — one YONDR pouch at a time.
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