Natchez-Adams Schools Roll Out $20 Signal-Blocking Pouches for 1,500 Students
Updated
Updated · Natchez Democrat · Aug 20
Natchez-Adams Schools Roll Out $20 Signal-Blocking Pouches for 1,500 Students
1 articles · Updated · Natchez Democrat · Aug 20
Summary
$20 signal-blocking pouches will be issued to roughly 1,500 Natchez-Adams students in grades 5 through 12 under rules approved and demonstrated by the school board Tuesday.
The district said the pouches are meant to curb texting and social-media use during class, boost engagement and instructional time, and improve student interaction by cutting phone distractions.
Students will keep an assigned pouch with them, replace lost or damaged ones, and store phones inside during the school day, with exceptions for emergencies and principal-approved instructional use.
The pouches block signal until opened, show student IDs without unsealing, and use loud Velcro that teachers can hear if students open them without permission.
Natchez Middle School has already used the system without issues, Superintendent Zandra McDonald said, adding that complaints eased after initial resistance.