Guidelines for Use of Internet Social Media and Cell phones
Where am I?
Generally speaking, communication between and among students that takes place outside of school is not of concern to Kirkwood staff unless it is brought to our attention because there is a disruption to the learning environment and/or to our students.
Below are some examples to further clarify how our discipline guidelines and school procedures can intersect with student cell phones and internet activities:
Social Media:
Example #1: A conflict at school that begins with comments written on the internet will be evaluated according to our discipline guidelines. If the comments reflect name calling, bullying or threats, we will address these as if they happened at school or were written on a piece of paper.
Example #2: If students have identified themselves as Kirkwood School District students on social media sites, and it is brought to our attention that they have made comments which do not reflect our behavior expectations, the student may be investigated and/or disciplined pursuant to our discipline guidelines.
Cell Phones:
Example #3: A phone that rings in class (call or text) can be taken by staff because we have explicitly asked that cell phones not disrupt the learning environment. Phones that are taken will be returned at the end of the day unless the phone is being held as evidence or this is a repeated offense which may require parent involvement.
Example #4: If, while responding to a disciplinary concern, there becomes a reasonable suspicion resulting in an investigation of student belongings (backpack, pockets), we may also search the calls, photos and text records of a phone if the phone records relate to the disciplinary investigation.
Example #5: If a phone has been lost and is then found, we will read information in the phone in order to learn the identity of the owner.
We want parents and students to be fully informed that internet communication and cell phones will remain private until something causes us to have an interest in them and then we will review them in the same way we would review any other item thought to be posing a threat or disruption.
.
