What Are Those Pouches About?

Yondr Pouches are now a part of student life at Sepulveda Middle School.

Jonathan Rodriguez and Lana Dela Cruz • February 19, 2025

SMS new pouches

As you all might know, Sepulveda just introduced the Yondr pouches for cell phones. Reporters Jonathan Rodriguez and Lana Dela Cruz went out to ask Mr. Ortega and Mr. Lasmarias about the pouches and what changes are happening at Sepulveda.

Question: What is the reason for having the Yondr Pouches at SMS?

Assistant Principal Lasmarias: “Starting Feb. 18, 2025 LAUSD will ban using cell phones on campus. SMS is implementing Yondr Pouches so that students can place their cell phones in them during homeroom, carry them in the Yondr pouches during the school day, and have the Yondr pouches opened at the end of the day in their second homeroom.”

Principal Ortega: “The Pouches are a state policy, it’s a law made by the district. However, every school is different. We also do it to decrease addiction and cyber-bullying.”

Question: How do the Yondr Pouches work?

Ortega: “It’s simple, you put your phone in and click it. They have special magnets that are ridiculously strong.”

Lasmarias: “The Yondr pouches are working for the majority of the school. It is also a good opportunity to update parents on cell phone expectations for the district and our school. There has also been an increase of students getting to class on time since the Yondr implementation.”

Question: What happens if a student loses or damages their pouch?

Ortega: “Then they have to pay for it.”

Question: What other changes have been made at SMS to enforce the cell phone ban?

Lasmarias: “As mentioned earlier we have a new bell schedule with a second homeroom. Also we have an afterschool cell phone pick up system for those who arrive at school after homeroom.”

Question: What happens if a student does not bring their phone to school?

Ortega: “Then they don’t have to put their phone in the pouch.”

Lasmarias: “There are no actions for students who leave their phones at home.”

Question: How can SMS families support our school with this new Pouch system?

Ortega: “Just make sure they’re paying attention and following the rules.”

Question: How was the first day with the new pouches?

Answer: “So far it has been good.”

About the Contributors

Jonathan Rodriguez, Editor-in-Chief of The Grizzly Gazette

Jonathan Rodriguez is an 8th grader at SMS. He's the Editor-En-Chief of The Grizzly Gazette who is 5'4 tall and enjoys sleeping. Every time he wakes up, he goes to sleep again. He believes in God, is a true believer, and reads the bible. He may be quiet but is also very active and wild with friends. He is very smart and wants to graduate from Stanford University. He is still obsessed with wombats and is very scared of spiders. John 15:18 says, “If the world hates you, you know it hated Me before it hated you.” Jonathan is the Editor-In-Chief of The Grizzly Gazette. He is also a member of our journalism "Chiefs Team".

Lana Dela Cruz, Editor-in-Chief, Grizzly Tracks

My name is Lana and I am an 8th grader at Sepulveda Middle School. Lana is the Editor-In-Chief of the SMS 2025 Yearbook. She is also a member of our journalism "Chiefs Team".