Chesapeake teachers warned about social networking – The Virginian
August 30, 2011 by admin
Filed under Lingerie Events
CHESAPEAKE
Teachers are being warned not to communicate with their students through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Such communication can give the appearance of impropriety, according to a new sexual misconduct policy examined Monday night by Chesapeake’s School Board.
In lieu of those programs, teachers are advised to limit their electronic communication with students to email and other programs offered by the school division.
“We can monitor emails, but with social networks like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter, we can’t monitor that,” said division spokesman Tom Cupitt.
Last winter, the state Board of Education considered a policy that would have strongly advised teachers to avoid social networking, texting and online gaming with students.
Then, after organizations of teachers and superintendents argued the policy would be too restrictive, the board settled on a softer version and directed divisions to write their own rules.
Chesapeake’s version simply says school employees shouldn’t do it. There are no consequences for those who ignore the policy, Cupitt said. It’s just a set of guidelines.
The policy also warns teachers about other behaviors often associated with inappropriate conduct that can create an appearance of impropriety. The list includes visiting a student’s home or driving a student without informing the student’s parents; having physical contact with a student that could be reasonably interpreted as sexual harassment; and participating in a flirtatious, romantic or sexual relationship with a student.
Board members voted 8-0, with one member absent and little discussion, to give the policy preliminary approval. They’ll vote on final approval at another meeting.
Heather Foxwell, president of the Chesapeake Education Association, said the policy probably won’t stop teachers who use social networking sites to reach their students. In fact, the association supports the practice – so long as it’s used professionally.
“It does serve a place when your students are on social media,” Foxwell said. “We should use every avenue we have to communicate appropriately with our students.”
Elisabeth Hulette, (757) 222-5216, elisabeth.hulette@pilotonline.com
