Week 3 Social Media Policy

Social Media Policy

CURRENTLY

My school uses the Acceptable User Policy (AUP) that was created by the Archdiocese of Chicago (AoC). On the first day of school, students are given a family packet with a plethora of forms that are to be read, signed, and returned. I have no doubt that the vision I have in my head of parents just sitting at a table and filling out one document after another and placing it back in the envelope was repeated by many families in August. Please do not misunderstand, I also know the flip side of that story also happens, but my first thought was to the less positive scenario. 

The annual signing of the employee AUP is also not taken very seriously by most of the employees either. In August, as teachers and staff are focused on setting up classrooms, the dreaded start of the year meetings are ever present. A small portion of the meeting time is set aside for filling out emergency contact forms, signing up for committees, and signing the employee AUP. Notice the keyword that was missing in the previous sentence? READING! Unless there is a new employee, most of us, including myself, just sign and hand back to the principal. Is that the right thing to do? No, but as you will see on my included forms, one document has not been updated since 2015. With new technologies being constantly developed, I feel it is time for all policies regarding technology be reviewed and brought up to date.

UPON REVIEW

Student AUP

This is a short document that both the parent/guardian signs, as mentioned at the top of this blog. The consent form is a standard one used by the AoC, thus my school uses this form. Upon reading, you will notice that there is nothing mentioned about cyberbullying or social media. The document mainly focuses on the appropriate use of devices and the school network. You cannot see me, but my eyes are rolling at the lack of updated information that this document is in desperate need of in order to ensure the safety of the students when using technology.

Family Handbook
As I have seen on another classmate's blog, my school is in the process of updating the Family Handbook, so I am only including the portion about technology that is included in this document.

Once again, there nothing in this short entry in the handbook about cyberbullying or social media. In the boxed portion, there is a statement about harassment and offensive communications, but I feel the terms cyberbullying and social media need to be added and clearly defined. As of now, the technology usage policy is weak at my school.

Phone Use and Personal Possessions are two other areas in my school's family handbook where technology is mentioned. I laughed out loud when I read the statement about PDA's. Do today's students even know what a PDA is? Answer-Personal Digital Assistant. If this does not convince you that serious updating needs to be done, then nothing will.

Employee

This is the shortest document that I am including. Your first question might be--What policies listed in this document? I had to ask my principal for a copy of the information that is mentioned in the AUP that is signed annually, which can be viewed here. The document is called Electronic Communications Policy and it is no surprise that this form needs to be updated, also. There is mention of the word posting, but the dated language that is peppered throughout the document is yet another example where updating is needed. 

Digital Citizenship

Yay! Something positive to write about! Every two years, Archdiocesan schools need to complete Digital Citizenship Certification for Schools, via Common Sense Education. This year is my school's renewal year and the process to remain certified is currently being worked on by the computer teacher and administration. Teachers will also be added to the list of working through the certification process.  

NOW WHAT

Being armed and informed about what a quality AUP and technology communication policies look like, I plan to set up a meeting with my principal to share my new found knowledge. But before I take on this step, I want to continue to learn from this class. This way when I do schedule a meeting, I can present the information in a logical manner with suggested changes. Now, I am not so nieve that I am assuming I can bring about change in the AoC, but maybe changes can at least be made at my school. At this time, I am not sure if any changes can be made just to my school, but time will tell what if anything can be done.