NEW HAVEN, Conn. — New Haven public schools expanded their cell phone-free initiative to the entire district this year.

On Monday, city officials celebrated the implementation of Yondr pouches designed to reduce student distractions.

The New Haven Board of Alders approved $375,000 for the magnetic locking pouches, which require students to secure their phones before classes begin and keep them locked until the final bell rings.

"This is really the first year that I've had a classroom that is cell phone free and it's really transformative," said Max Comando, a teacher at Metro Business Academy.

The pouches now serve 5,800 students across 10 New Haven high schools as part of the district's comprehensive cell phone-free school plan. The 2025-26 school year marked the first time the ban

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