PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Portland Public School students are now several days into the new school year, and as students adjust to their new schedules, they’re also adjusting to a new cell phone policy.

Ida B. Wells High School is one of several PPS schools utilizing Yondr pouches. Students are required to lock up their phones in the pouches and will only be able to unlock their phones in designated places.

The Yondr pouches also hold students’ smartwatches and Bluetooth headphones.

READ ALSO: Portland students adapt to new cellphone policy with mixed reactions from parents

“The whole reason behind this is for kids to focus better in school and concentrate and have it off and away,” Ida B. Wells parent Nicole Baumer said. “I think phones are a huge distraction, so I think it’s awesome that PPS is adopting this policy.”

Following an information session for families at Ida B. Wells Thursday night to explain how the process works and why they’re doing it, parents expressed mixed opinions on the Yondr pouches.

Emma Davis is a parent to a ninth grader at Ida B. Wells. She told KATU things are smooth sailing so far and she agrees with the policy.

“I think he’s mostly worried about keeping it and not losing it,” Davis said. “But honestly, he hasn’t really complained about the logistics of it or how it functions. He doesn’t seem to be having a hard time with just not having access to it.”

On the other hand, many parents cited safety concerns for their opposition, especially during breaks. One parent said kids can go off-campus for lunch, but without a phone, students can’t tell what time it is and can’t contact anyone on their whereabouts.

Another concern from students is the amount of time it now takes to get in and out of school. One student told KATU she missed her bus home during one of the first days of school due to the number of kids unlocking their Yondr pouches at one time.

We reached out to the Portland Public School district and asked if these concerns have been brought up and if there are discussions about how to move the lock and unlock process along quicker.

“The decision to implement Yondr pouches was made after conversations with Ida B. Wells High School stakeholders that included educators/staff, parents/guardians, and students,” Ida B. Wells Principal Ayesha Coning wrote in a back-to-school letter to families.

“We are coming from a place of love and care for our teenage youth in our community and believe that ensuring students have a day free of access to their personal electronic devices will improve their learning experience greatly.”

Portland Public Schools passed a cellphone ban policy earlier this year, and all Oregon schools will be following suit by Jan. 1, when Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s executive order requiring all schools to have a cellphone ban policy goes into effect.