Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Use of twitter

    Posted 10-02-2018 09:32 AM
    Hi

    I am looking for information related to social media policies/ best practices related to twitter ( or other forms of social media).  I am wondering if all staff are allowed/encouraged to post?  Are certain things not posted on twitter e.g. pictures of student faces?  Do you have specific photo permission policies that distinguish between a photo that is displayed at the centre vs posted on twitter?

    Love to hear what others are doing


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    Karin Milner
    Ottawa Catholic School Board
    Ottawa ON
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  • 2.  RE: Use of twitter

    Posted 10-02-2018 10:41 AM
    In every program that I have ever worked in we have had a signed photo release that had several steps. 

    1.  Permission to post in the building
    2.  Permission to post on social media
    3.  Permission to release to local media (newspapers, local publications, etc)

    Parents could choose any of the above.  Rarely did our teachers post on social media, and if they chose to, I encouraged them to get the backs of the children focusing more on the activity.  We would ensure that any "non-photograph" children were out of view when the photo was taken.  Our social media pages were closed and I was the admin for the site.  I never accepted anyone that was not involved with our school. 

    Parents could amend their permissions at any time (although they rarely did) and we never had a problem.

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    Jennifer W. Hardy
    Association Program Specialist
    San Diego, CA
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  • 3.  RE: Use of twitter

    Posted 10-03-2018 07:08 AM
    We just added a line to our enrollment form asking for permission to use photos on Facebook.  The parents circle yes or no.  I have not yet posted any pictures with the faces of the children on our Facebook page.  Our Facebook page is open to the public and not a closed group.  I would also like to see what others are doing.  

    Susan Ricci
    Director/Lead Teacher
    Vale UMC Preschool
    Oakton, VA

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    Susan Ricci
    Director/Lead Teacher
    Vale UMC Church Preschool
    Oakton VA
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  • 4.  RE: Use of twitter

    Posted 10-03-2018 09:42 AM
    Our policy prohibits any posting of photos or statements online by any staff member. Staff are reminded that they are ambassadors of the center and they must watch what they say or post on any social media site.  They are not prohibited from being "friends" on social media with our families but it's not encouraged either. We have photograph permission forms for us to take pictures and post on our app that sends daily reports to parents, or to have photos posted in the center.

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    Debra Biernesser
    Pitter Patter Place Childcare
    New Brighton PA
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  • 5.  RE: Use of twitter

    Posted 10-03-2018 11:00 AM
    At our school, we have one staff member (me) who is responsible for our public social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  All parents complete a Photo Release Form at the start of each school year.  On that form, they choose their usage level:

    I grant all rights to use my child's photos in all school projects, advertising, and promotion, including print and Internet.

    I grant limited rights to use my child's photos only in class-related activities like bulletin boards, class activities, class photo books, and art projects. This excludes advertising, promotion and publicly available websites.

    I do not want any photos of my child taken and subsequently used in any manner. However, I understand that Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool cannot guarantee under any circumstances that other parents will not take and publish photos without your or the school's knowledge.


    On that form, they also choose their access level:

    I want my child's photos to be stored in electronic form on a password protected website (like Shutterfly) where everyone in the class has the password and the ability to share photos.  

    I want my child's photos to be stored in a folder on the class coordinator's computer for use in class-related activities such as the yearbook, and not be uploaded to a photo-sharing website. I understand that my child could appear in group photos or in the background of photos on the class photo-sharing website, but those photos will not be tagged or captioned with my child's name.



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    Sherrie Rose Mayle
    Director/Teacher
    Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
    Campbell, CA
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