Editor’s Note: This is a part of the Big Sky Sun Journal’s 2026 April Fool’s Day coverage. This is meant to be purposeful, humorous misinformation. 

As of March 30th, Micah Hill, superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools, announced to all principals and school board trustees that the phone caddies are no longer working, and that the district must increase measures to the Yondr pouch.

A Yonder pouch is a felt pouch that you place your phone in. The pouch locks phones during the entire school day, keeping students screen free. The only way to open Yonder pouches is with a special key that only school administration will have access to, Hill explained. 

Big Sky Principal Jennifer Courtney announced the news during an email blast to all students and family. The email said, “Effective immediately, the phone caddies will no longer be in classrooms and all phones will be locked in Yonder pouches from 8:35 am to 3:35 pm. This news may come as a surprise, but from classroom and teacher interviews, phone caddies are no longer being utilized.” 

In a private interview with the Sun Journal, Courtney stated, “I think this is a hilarious April Fool’s story.”