District 308 Guidelines Set Limits on Texting, Social Media

Students can enjoy their classes but they're not allowed to “like” their teachers. Or “follow” them.

At least not on their personal Facebook and Twitter accounts.

officials have a number of guidelines in place which staff is expected to adhere to that limits the electronic communications between teachers and students.

For instance, employees who use social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter for personal use are urged not to “friend” students who are enrolled in the district, or accepting students’ “friend” requests.

District officials said as the popularity of those social media sites has increased, so has the need for the guidelines.

“For students, all of this electronic communication is something they’ve grown up with and expect it,” said Kristine Liptrot, communications director. “We wanted to be able to guide our staff in appropriate behavior using the Internet and social media and get ahead of anything before it comes into question.”

staff members have been appreciative of the guidelines, Liptrot said.

“Very often staff members are asked by students to be their friends (on Facebook). Staff members didn’t have a way to say ‘no thank you’ without potentially hurting students feelings,” Liptrot said. “The policy gave them something to fall back on so students know it isn’t anything personal.”

While in years past, students and teachers were banned from texting each other, officials have realized there are benefits in allowing that communication in some instances.

“In certain coaching situations — for example, if a field is rained out or they have to cancel practice — it’s easier for students to receive updates via text than a call left on the home answering machine,” Liptrot said.

Outside of the school day, coaches and sponsors who may need to get information to students quickly, such as meeting or game time changes or cancellations, can text but must also copy the parent/guardian to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

“That way the parent does not think there is any inappropriate messaging going on between staff members and students, and because parents need to know the information as well,” Liptrot said.

teachers can use Twitter or Facebook fan pages as a supplemental method for teachers to communicate electronically with student groups if it is set up correctly.

Fan pages allow teachers to distribute announcements, blog posts, events, assignments, and more right into the “live streams” of those who “fan” their page. Parents are to be notified if a district employee establishes a Facebook fan page or Twitter account to communicate with students. Fan pages are visible to unregistered students and parents.

More information about the district’s expectations for communication electronically can be found here.