Definition

Social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the Internet, including to your own or someone else’s web log or blog, journal or diary, personal website, social networking or affinity website, web bulletin board or a chat room, whether or not associated or affiliated with the School as well as any other form of electronic communication including the use of cell phones, Smartphones, computers, laptops, eTablets, and all types of similar or future devices.

Application

These guidelines apply to all School employees to include clerical, maintenance and educational staff, such as: teachers, student teachers, teacher aids, coaching staff, tutors, library personnel, volunteers, board members, contractors, vendors, and students or any similar types of people or those for whom they are responsible, who participate in, create or contribute to any form of social media or any other kind of social networking.

General policy

Any of your participation in, communicating, communication pursuant to or interaction with any social media or social networking that adversely affects: your job performance; the performance of fellow School staff; any other persons, companies, groups, or families associated with the School; the students; the School, or otherwise disrupts the operation of the School or adversely affects the School’s reputation in the community, shall be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination. Inappropriate postings or communication pursuant to social media or social networking of any type, that may include discriminatory remarks, harassment, threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct or postings which may otherwise disrupt the operation of the School shall likewise not be tolerated and may, in addition to being violations of other School policy related to harassment or discrimination, independently subject you to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

The lines between public and private, personal and professional are blurred in the digital world. Even when you have a disclaimer or use a different user name, you will always be considered to be a School employee and will be held responsible as such under this policy.

Do not denigrate or insult others including students, staff, administration, board members, government, parents, governmental officials, other such persons or other Schools. Do not use ethnic slurs, innuendos, obscenities, violent terminology or any other inappropriate content. Do not post inappropriate photos or other communication that may violate the an individual’s or family’s right to privacy, other School policies, community norms, decency norms, or contain material related to drugs or alcohol, or sexually or otherwise inappropriate materials. In your communications, represent the School, students and parents you serve in the best light. Respect the privacy and feelings of others. Under no circumstances should offensive comments be made about students, staff, including administrators, board, or the School in general. In addition to this policy, any such negative comments as noted above may also constitute cyber-bullying or other forms of discrimination or harassment under School policies and be grounds for disciplinary action under those policies. Refrain from commenting on or forwarding unsupported information and rumours. Do not post photos or movies of fellow employees, School activities, or students without the permission of the employees and parents of students.

Staff-student Relations

Employees are prohibited from establishing personal relationships with students that are unprofessional and thereby inappropriate. Examples of unprofessional relationships include, but are not limited to: employees fraternizing or communicating with students as if employees and students were peers such as writing personal letters or emails; “texting” students; calling students on cell phones or allowing students to make personal calls to them unrelated to homework or class work; sending inappropriate pictures to students; discussing or revealing to students personal matters about their private lives or inviting students to do the same (other than professional counselling by a school counsellor or coach); and engaging in sexualized dialogue, whether in person, by phone, via the Internet, or in writing. Employees shall not allow a “friend” relationship under Facebook with a student or any other such similar one-on-one electronic or digital relationship.

Employees who post information on Facebook, Instagram or similar web sites that include inappropriate personal information such as, but not limited to: provocative photographs, sexually explicit messages, use of alcohol, drugs or anything students are prohibited from doing, or which would be inappropriate for an employee of the school, must understand that if students, parents or employees obtain access to such information and if found to: disrupt School operations or programs; damage the School’s reputation in the community; cause a reasonable reaction that has a negative impact on the School’s operation, their case will be investigated by School officials, and if warranted will be disciplined up to and including termination, depending upon the severity of the offense.

The Principal or designees reserve the right to periodically conduct Internet searches to determine if employees have posted inappropriate materials online. If inappropriate use of computers and web sites is discovered, the Principal or designees will download the offensive material and promptly take appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Specific Social Media/Social Networking Policies

A. Use of Social Media or Social Networking During Work Time

Unless you have been given express permission to utilize social media or social networking sites for the purposes of the School or education, your use of any social media or social networking from workplace computers at any time is disallowed by this policy.

B. Social Networking on Personal Devices

Unless otherwise expressly allowed, there will be no communication through social media or social networking activity from personal devices during work time. When employees are on work breaks and lunch, activity is allowed only from devices which do not use this organization’s network. During these times, it is especially important to adhere to the remainder of this policy for an understanding of potential consequences of posting information about our School, its programs, clubs, students, parents, faculty, school board and volunteers and to further ensure such use is strictly limited and does not go beyond lunch time or break time.

   C. Under no circumstance should offensive comments be made about students or colleagues (including administrators) nor the School in general. Do not comment on or forward unsupported information and rumours. Negative comments about people could also amount to cyber-bullying and could be deemed a disciplinary offence. Your posts and comments should help build and support the School community. Always think through any negative consequences before you share school related matters. There is no “un-send” button on our devices.

D. The Media

If a member of the media or non-traditional online media (can include bloggers) contacts a staff member, volunteer, or other agent of the School about the business of the School (e.g. programs, services, students, parents, clubs, policies, practices, or additional business information of any kind), the individual must contact the Principal and immediate supervisor for direction prior to any response.

E. Use of School Name or Logo

You may not promote or sell any product or service online or off which would represent the School or bear the School motto or logo without specific written permission of the Board of the School.

The main purposes of this policy are to protect our students, staff, families, Board members and community while ensuring the orderly operation of the School. This policy will be enforced to accomplish these purposes.