Oxford Schools is finally addressing the use of social media by staff, students and even parents.
Prior to the beginning of the school year, the board of education approved a series of policies, one of which included a Social Media Policy.
‘We were pursued by other outside media organizations trying to figure out what school districts are (doing with regard to implementing) safeguards (concerning) social media,? explained Matt Johnson, marketing director for Oxford Schools. ‘Early this summer, we realized that we had started the process ourselves, but never followed through on it.?
Some districts have taken a hardline approach to social media, which includes forbidding teachers and students to be friends on social media, to private message one another or to exchange phone numbers unless given permission by the district.
But Oxford isn’t taking that approach.
‘Oxford Community Schools realizes that part of 21st century learning is adapting to the changing methods of communication,? states the policy. ‘The importance of teachers, students and parents/volunteers engaging, collaborating, learning and sharing in these digital environments is part of 21st century learning.?
Although the policy encourages the use of social media outlets and Oxford Schools wants all parties to voice their opinions on matters, the policy does offer a warning.
‘Free speech protects educators, students and parents/volunteers who want to participate in social media.,? it reads.
However, ‘the laws and courts have ruled that schools can discipline staff, students and parents/volunteers if their speech, including online postings, disrupts school operations.?
‘It is important, however, to create an atmosphere of trust and individual accountability, keeping in mind that information produced by Oxford Community Schools? teachers, students, parents or community members are a reflection on the entire district and is subject to the district’s Acceptable Use Policy,? continued the policy.
As far as the parents? policy goes, Johnson said it’s more of a set of ‘guidelines? that mothers and fathers are being asked to follow.
‘It’s not like we’re going to call them into the principal’s office,? he said. ‘We see the integrity of what we do as a staff and our students at such a high level that we’re asking our parents to set an example (regarding what they post on-line and how they engage in conversations).?
Johnson noted one of the reasons the policy was written was because he and Superintendent Tim Throne have seen so many news reports of inappropriate interactions between students and teachers via social media.
‘We understand that it’s not uncommon for teachers or coaches to communicate with students via social media or text messaging. But the question becomes how much are you communicating with that student?? Throne said. ‘Is it five messages in a day or 35 messages? And at what times are they communicating and what are they communicating about??
‘If a teacher receives a non-immediate emergency message from a student at 2 a.m. just wanting to converse and the teacher responds, that’s probably not appropriate,? he continued. ‘Perhaps, they should wait until like 8 a.m. before responding.?
‘So, as a district, we saw a need for the social media policy as an important tool to protect our employees from maybe crossing any inappropriate lines that they before didn’t see were even there,? Johnson added.