Recommended Practices for Use of Social Media Sites, Including Personal Sites
Think Before Posting
Privacy does not exist in the world of social media, therefore the RISE Charter School recommends that employees consider what could happen if a post becomes widely known and how that may reflect on the poster, the RISE Charter School, and its patrons. Search engines can turn up posts years after they are created and comments can be easily forwarded or copied. If you would not say it at a Board Meeting or to a member of the media or a colleague, consider the propriety of posting it online.
Be Respectful
Posts should be considered carefully in light of how they would reflect on the poster, colleagues, and the RISE Charter School and on its students, patrons, and employees.
Remember Your Audience
Be aware that a presence in the social media world is or easily can be made available to the public at large. This includes students, fellow employees, and peers. Consider this before publishing to ensure the post will not unnecessarily alienate, harm, or provoke any of these groups.
Contact with Students
Pursuant to the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators, individuals shall maintain a professional relationship with all students, both inside and outside of the classroom. In order to avoid the appearance of partiality or impropriety, all electronic communications with students should be through official RISE Charter School e-mail or your work phone. Do not list current students as friends on social media sites, do not give students your personal e-mail address or phone number, and do not text students.
Keep Personal and Professional Use Separate
Staff members who decide to engage in personal social media activities will maintain separate professional and personal email addresses.
Staff members will not use their RISE Charter School email address for personal social media activities. Such uses will be considered a violation of RISE Charter School policy and may result in disciplinary action.
The RISE Charter School reserves the right to monitor communications transmitted and received through the RISE Charter School network. This may include social media messages and updates sent to a RISE Charter School e-mail account.
RISE Charter School Social Media Sites
Notify the RISE Charter School: Employees that have or would like to start a RISE Charter School social media page should contact their Executive Director or designee. All RISE Charter RISE Charter School pages must have an appointed employee who is responsible for content. The RISE Charter School should outline the duties of the employee responsible for the site, including how often the site must be checked for comments and who is allowed to post to the site. The Executive Director should be aware of the content on the site, arrange for periodic monitoring of the site, and for the receipt and addressing of any complaints about the content on the site. The Executive Director reserves the right to shut down or discontinue the site if he or she believes it is in the best overall interest of the students.
Have a Plan: The RISE Charter School should consider their messages, audiences, and goals as well as their strategy for keeping information on social media sites up to date, accurate, and in the best interest of the students.
Protect the RISE Charter School Voice: Posts on RISE Charter School affiliated social media sites should protect the RISE Charter School’s voice by remaining professional in tone and in good taste. Carefully consider the naming of pages or accounts, the selecting of pictures or icons, compliance with RISE Charter School policy and State and federal laws with regard to student and employee confidentiality and the determination of content.
Procedure History
Promulgated on: July 12, 2021
Revised on:
Reviewed on: