WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Cellphone pouches may be coming to West Springfield Middle School within this school year. The middle school principal Peter Gillen made a proposal before the school committee Tuesday night, to ask for their consideration on implementing a new program, "I'm here this evening to request your endorsement to consider extending the Yondr Pouch Program that is currently in existence at the high school to the middle school later this year." West Springfield Middle school leaders want to reduce cellphone-use in classrooms, after what's being considered a successful rollout of the 'Yondr Pouches' at the high school. "We have noticed an increase of focus in the classroom, more social interactions at class," says one high school student representative. Superintendent Stefania Raschilla told 22News, "There have been very few issues with the Yondr Pouches rolling out." The current policy at the middle school, according to Principal Gillen, is that cell phones are off and away, but he wants to ensure that students are remaining focused in class all day. "It certaintly impacts the day-to-day," Gillen adds. "The state of where we are and how kids interact---practicing to be adults, I think the time to focus without the cellphone buzzing in their pocket is really valuable." This is in the earliest stages of planning as the middle school waits for a 'green light' from the school committee. Principal Gillen says if approved, his administration will observe how the Yondr Pouches are implemented at the high school. They will also work alongside the school council---that consists of parents and teachers--to solicit input and gather suggestions for the roll out. They plan to make that roll-out gradual, eyeing January or March of next year to get the pouches into the school. Mayor Reichelt says the school system used grant funding for the high school Yondr pouches and they are hoping to use that again for the middle school. Local News Headlines Big E fairgoers celebrate “Salute to Chicopee Day” Rachel’s Table honors its nearly 350 volunteers helping to fight food insecurity Cellphone pouches could come to West Springfield Middle School West Springfield police seek public’s help in identifying larceny suspect WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.