School Social Media Policy

Kaycie Winn, Ross Ewing, Rob Johnson

EDTECH 554
Introduction/Purpose:
Technology is quickly becoming a major focus in our society and school. As a
result, social media is a part of our everyday lives. Our school needs to leverage social
media in order to meet our goals. It can help us reach out to people and encourage them
to support our mission. If we can work together to use social media effectively, our
students will have a connected community working together to provide them with the
best education possible.
Social media can be used for a variety of purposes. These include, but are not
limited to: providing help, inspiring students and volunteers, mobilizing people,
promoting fundraisers, sharing our mission and goals, making announcements and
acknowledging hard work.
However, while social media presents educators with new tools and resources for
the betterment of education, it presents a number of risks and dangers to parents,
students, and stakeholders. The sharing of information anonymously can expose
students to predators that they are normally safe from.
This document contains guidelines for using social media in a responsible,
professional manner. It is expected that all school employees will adhere to the policies
set forth in this document. The guidelines below are to ensure the safety of everyone
using the internet and social media as representatives of the school.

Definition of Social Media:

Social media is any online platform that gives users the ability to interact and share
content with one another. Examples include: Facebook, Twitter, InstaGram, blogs and
Youtube.
Guidelines:
1. Be thoughtful about how you present yourself in online social networks - Keep
messages clean and professional. Only share or post messages that you would be
willing to share with any stakeholder or student in person.
2. Demonstrate honesty and high ethical standards - Treat everyone with respect
and courtesy. Do not criticize or admonish anyone under any circumstance.

3. Respect the privacy of others. Obtain express permission from the individual(s)
to use their name or anything that can identify them beforehand if you wish to
share material about said individual or individuals
4. Protect confidential information.
5. Respect copyright according to The Copyright Act. All copyrighted material
(images, video, text, etc) uploaded or shared must fall under the Fair Use. If
unsure whether the material you wish to use falls under fair use, consult section
107 of The Copyright Act
6. Properly attribute content that is borrowed/cite sources.
7. Conduct business in a way that benefits the community in which we operate.
8. Post meaningful, relevant and factual content.
9. Use proper grammar and writing conventions. Text language and emoticons are
inappropriate for school.
10. Do not post or share student information that would violate FERPA guidelines
11. Do not post pictures of students without parental and student consent.
12. Do not share personal opinions about issues that students or stakeholders may
find offensive.
Staff Social Media Stipulations:
Facebook
:
You may make friends, update your status, upload
photos/videos/articles and create events.
Your profile name should be your full name and position.
Profile images should be professional in appearance.
Get permission from others before posting an image or video with
them involved.
Be accurate/factual. Check your facts before making a post.
Have carefully selected privacy settings pertinent to what you
decide to share.
Have a dedicated person check the site each day.
Twitter
:
Share valuable information.
Tweet action items.
Do not follow controversial or inappropriate people.
Texting
:
Use texting in school for academic purposes only.

Academic purposes include reminding students of

homework, sharing educational information and resources,
and communicating with parents about a students progress.
InstaGram
:
Do not use students full names alongside their image.
Do not post images of student without parental and student consent
Web 2.0 tools:
Omit personal information.
Closely monitor students actions online.
Use proper grammar and spelling.
Snapchat / Anonymous picture sharing apps
:
Do not use social media that is anonymous or keeps no record for
professional or official purposes.
Blogs
:
Be constructive/remove non-constructive blog posts.
Post educational or inspiring material that is appropriate for
students.
Be accurate/factual.
Respond only when appropriate.
Youtube
:
Remove non-constructive comments.
Do not include students full names in videos.
Obtain students and parents permission before posting videos
containing their children.

Enforcement and monitoring:

Under this policy all staff are required to report any violations of the above guidelines
and stipulations to school administration. The school reserves the right to monitor
anything shared on the above If reported, the school administration will access your
social media posts and review the information. Any information that is found in
violation of these guidelines and stipulations will be subject to the following
consequences.
Consequences:
If any of the above guidelines and stipulations are not followed, staff members will be
subject to discipline from school administration and central office. The consequences
will vary depending on the severity of the violation. Possible consequences include:

 Attending a social-media training professional development

Limited access to school-related social media
Suspension or removal from current position.

Social Media Policy Agreement

By signing this page, you are stating that you have read the social media policy,
understand the terms, and will follow the guidelines.
Name:_____________________________
School:_____________________________
Position:____________________________
Signature:___________________________
Date:_______________________________