SOCIAL MEDIA EXPECTATIONS

We live in a new world. Technology is everywhere and there are more and more ways for us, as humans, to stay in contact with each other. As educators we can use social media as a powerful tool to stay in contact with parents, guardians, and students. Using social media to remind, inform about classroom goings on, and as a way to access classroom work can keep even the most absent minded of students in the know.

However, we have seen time and again in the news, teachers who have accidentally misused social media, children who don't know how to talk to a teacher verses how to talk to their peers and we want to set clear expectations now. It is important that everyone knows how we use social media to interact* with students, and what is and is not appropriate.

*We are available for meetings, phone calls, and direct messaging during our planning block (except during PLCs on Thursdays), and in the afternoon in person on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you wish to contact us via social media, text or direct messaging we can answer questions from 3:15PM to about 4:30PM on the weekdays. Anytime after that, we may or may not see your message. We usually respond within 24 hours of your message or email; except on weekends, major holidays, or during the summer. On weekends it is our family time and we are less likely to check our school related accounts. Mrs. Gillespie generally checks instagram once a day and email. This is because most students contact us via insta messenger and parents usually contact us via text messaging or email.

WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT TALK ABOUT WITH YOUR TEACHER

Being with students for 2, 3, and 4 years for 55 minutes a day builds a bond. We cannot help but know more about your students than your student's other teachers. It is not a stretch to realize that children become attached to us over the years. Your students think of us as another caregiver- an Aunt or other female member of the family. Being children, and only knowing those types of relationships, it makes sense.

However, it is important that students understand and that parents know that we are stressing that we are not really family members. We are teachers and because of that, there are certain things you cannot talk about with us, send us, or expect us to do. Let us go through some examples of inappropriate AND appropriate messaging topics and examples.

INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES

There are three excellent commandments, as it were , to think of when you message a teacher. The first is, anytime you contact us, you should tell your parents/guardians that you are going to do so first. You should be totally fine with them reading any messages that you send. We want them to know that you are using social media to ask us questions.

Secondly, Only send images, say things, text or message questions and concerns that you would send to you own mother/guardian/father. Would you send you parent or guardian a X-rated photo? Would you cuss at your parent or guardian? Would you send them a dirty joke or say something uncomfortable and private to your parents? I hope the answer is no, you would not. Teachers are NOT interested in these things either. Its not funny. If you do send something that would make your own parent uncomfortable, you better believe it will make us feel that way too.

Thirdly, remember we may seem like family but we aren't. We may love you like our very own sons and daughters but certain things like emojis and displays of affection through messaging can seem inappropriate and can make us uncomfortable.

The crossed out emojis can be misinterpreted and we ask that students do not use them when talking to us:

Obviously, mistakes happen and we may say something like, "hey, we don't use those emojis." if its something tame like a poop emoji. If students take emoji combinations too far, we will screen shot the message to share with their parents or guardians and block the person speaking with us. That student will not longer have the privilege of using our social media platforms to stay informed and in contact with us.

It is extremely unlikely that any of our students will use any of the extreme emojis to talk to us, but its better to be safe than sorry. We promise at the same time to not use any of the emoji's we think are inappropriate when speaking with students or parents.

The last thing to keep in mind when speaking to your teachers in any medium is that we are mandatory reporters. That means that anything you say that we feel needs to be reported will be reported. Its apart of our job.

Topics that are off limits include our personal lives (unless we volunteer information in a getting to know you capacity) , what we feel about a political figure, how we worship, the way we look (why we dress a certain way, or any negative comments about ourselves), and anything that can be considered inappropriate to talk about with a teacher. Threats, disrespectful interactions, or content we deem inappropriate will be reported to the appropriate level of administration.

Appropriate Messages

We acknowledge that students today communicate in ways we couldn't even imagine as a child. I hope you noticed that there are plenty of emojis that students can use when communicating with us. We understand that through messaging (not school work!) emojis are a legitimate way for our students to communicate. We also realize that through messaging (only when messaging) texting short hand is also a way to communicate (though we may have to Google what all the letters stand for!). These ways are fine as long as student remember that they have to be mindful of what they type or select (emojis) when speaking to us.

We want to know if people are bullying our students. We want to know if our students are feeling uncomfortable in anyway. We offer our clear windshield box as a way to communicate this with us, outside of social media (we understand not all of our students are allowed to have access to social media due to parental wishes). Students of course may message us on instagram, twitter, or Facebook with these concerns or on a piece of paper, or at the time of the event in question.

We want to know if a student is having problems finding a ride to or from a concert or major event. While the parade is not mandatory (students can miss it) Concerts are mandatory. We understand parents have different work schedules and trying to accommodate everyone is impossible. While we cannot drive a bus and take all students home, but letting us know the problem allows us to try to help arrange carpools with other students. Together we can brainstorm a possible solution. We also may not be able to figure out a solution, but letting us know can help us know what to expect for future events.

We want to know if students will be out of town for an extended period of time. We can, if given a heads up, prepare work to take on the trip. We also want to encourage students to look over their music or even practice their instruments while they are gone. Knowing about an absence (but not necessarily knowing the details, we understand that is not our business) can also help us prepare for make up playing tests and written tests.

We want to know if student's instrument is damaged, going into the shop, or missing parts. We need to know because it effects a student's participation grade. It is also possible that Ms. Mathews-Ricks or Mrs. Gillespie can repair it, free of charge (though some repairs are beyond our abilities). If it has to go to the shop, knowing the minute it is broken can allow us to prepare written work that can replace their participation grade.

Students are welcome to message us about due dates (though our calendar is pretty accurate), their behavior is class (apologies for behavior), that they were sick, any parts of the music that confuse them, if they need copies of letters, and if a teacher is absent for an extended period of time they are welcome to ask us how we are doing. We are happy to be told about any of their accomplishments that they want to share with us. We are still their teachers, we just have to set boundaries, because they are children.

Social Media Boundries

We want everyone to know that we do care for our students. We are around them for years so we do care about their triumphs and their failures. We want them to know that we are there for them, care about their wellbeing, and want them to grow into wonderful human beings. However, because they are children there MUST be clear boundaries set for communication. It is very easy to see us as family. This can be a problem when students forget to watch what they say and how they say it. When that happens, misunderstandings can arise. We want to prevent that by setting expectations clearly.

We ask that parents continually check their students online interactions with us and stay informed. Everything we post is for Parents and Students edification. We also encourage parents to use our online media themselves, if they have an questions. Together we can encourage appropriate online interactions.

This webpage will be reviewed by each class at the beginning of the new school year/new nine weeks (for Music classes only). This webpage will be referred to if any student starts to stray into inappropriate behavior through messaging.